Samuel Slater created the Rhode Island system. The Rhode Island system was factory practices based upon the patterns of family life in New England villages. Children ages 7-12 worked in the mill. They were actually the first employees there. Slater supervised them personally, making sure to watch them closely. They were hired in 1970. People believe it is highly unlikely he resulted in physical punishment of the children. He tried hiring other people (older people) from different villages, but that fell through due to the close-knit frame work of New England.
