Blake Fall-Conroy designed a machine that recreates the experience of making minimum wage. In many parts of the US, minimum wage is extremely difficult to live on. This device highlights the plight of low-wage workers by showing others what it is like to work hard for minimal compensation.
The device is called the 'Minimum Wage Machine' and is designed to recreate the experience of making minimum wage. The machine allows users to turn a crank which will yield one penny every four seconds. The machine dispenses $8.75 each hour which is equivalent to the minimum wage in the state of New York. Those who use the machine are given a rough idea of what it is like to work for minimum wage in America.
The machine ultimately helps to expose the plight of low-wage workers across the country.
Inequality-Exposing Machines
This Device Recreates the Experience of Making Minimum Wage
Trend Themes
1. Inequality-exposing Machines - More machines can be designed to expose the inequality in other industries such as healthcare, housing and education.
2. Minimum Wage Sensitivity - More businesses can be more sensitive to the minimum wage paid to employees, resulting in better employee satisfaction and productivity.
3. Living Wage Campaigns - Living wage campaigns may gain more attention, leading to more companies offering wages that meet basic needs and cost of living for employees.
Industry Implications
1. Retail Industry - Retailers can leverage similar devices to raise awareness on the plight of employees who operate under less than ideal working conditions.
2. Hospitality Industry - Similar machines can be used to highlight the working conditions of employees in the industry who often earn wages below the minimum wage.
3. Fast-food Industry - More machines can be used to highlight the long hours put in by fast-food industry employees who often earn low wages below the minimum wage.