How did knocker-uppers wake people up before alarm clocks?
Frequently Asked Question about the extinct profession: Knocker-Upper
Knocker-uppers were individuals who were hired to wake people up before alarm clocks were invented. They used long sticks to tap on windows or doors, or even threw small pebbles at the windows to create a noise loud enough to wake the person up. Some knocker-uppers also used loud whistles or bells to signal the start of the day.