Average annual working hours over eight centuries, compiled by Boston College sociologist Juliet Schor:

• British peasant, adult male, 13th century: 1,620 hours
• British casual laborer, 14th century: 1,440 hours
• British worker, Middle Ages, 2,309 hours
• British farmer-miner, adult male, 1400-1600: 1,980 hours
• Average British worker, 1840: 3,105-3,588 hours
• Average American worker, 1850: 3,150-3,650 hours
• Average American worker, 1987: 1,949 hours
• British manufacturing workers, 1988: 1,855 hours
• Average German worker, 2000: 1,362 hours