Early in the 20th century, the meat packing industry emerged in South Omaha with a workforce made up mostly of immigrants from many foreign lands. Often unschooled and limited in their use of English, they were accustomed to hard work, long days, and low pay, and became loyal, dedicated workers. They worked uncomplainingly in crowded, dank cellars and on kill floors under unsafe and crowded conditions with long hours and small wages. A new era began in the late 30's as unions were formed and workers used new high-speed modern equipment. Ethnic work habits and pride created a dedicated, determined workforce, and in some families generations worked at the same jobs or even in the same plants. Thousands of proud workers spent their careers in the meat industry to provide their families with decent lifestyles, and it became a way of life. At the height of its glory, from 1930 through the 1950's, South Omaha was one of the meat packing capitals of the world, employing nearly 14,000 men and women. The area was the site of Armour, Cudahy, Swift, Wilson, and numerous independent packing houses, and during peak years 1,941,000 cattle, 4,372,000 hogs, and 1,859,000 sheep were slaughtered and processed annually. Their labor helped shape the culture and economy of Omaha.