BigClive
01-01-2008, 03:05 PM
I'm just thinking about CL's posts regarding "narrowbacks".
To me the difference between a narrowback and a broadback is the size of an individuals shoulders. There's a definite connection between heavy work and shoulder size, since in industries that involve heavy work the individuals who started in them at a young age do seem to develop a much broader shoulder than others who have worked in lighter industries.
Perhaps it's less prevalent these days since the materials are getting lighter (and weaker!) and the work is getting a lot easier due to the use of specialist equipment. I'm sure that in the past linemen were broadbacks, but if you take a look at the gallery pictures there are very few individuals that would fit that category. And what makes an electrician a "narrowback"? It's a LOT harder to get heavy distribution gear into buildings than it is to plant it on a handy pad outside. Access to height indoors is also much harder with most UK sparks requiring a PASMA scaffold licence so we can build and climb scaffold.
With a 40" waist (very little fat!), a chest that destroys XXL shirts and a preference for coveralls/boilersuits in size 60", I can say I'm definitely a broadback. How about you CL? Send a picture in and we can have a vote on whether you're a narrowback or a broadback. ;)
To me the difference between a narrowback and a broadback is the size of an individuals shoulders. There's a definite connection between heavy work and shoulder size, since in industries that involve heavy work the individuals who started in them at a young age do seem to develop a much broader shoulder than others who have worked in lighter industries.
Perhaps it's less prevalent these days since the materials are getting lighter (and weaker!) and the work is getting a lot easier due to the use of specialist equipment. I'm sure that in the past linemen were broadbacks, but if you take a look at the gallery pictures there are very few individuals that would fit that category. And what makes an electrician a "narrowback"? It's a LOT harder to get heavy distribution gear into buildings than it is to plant it on a handy pad outside. Access to height indoors is also much harder with most UK sparks requiring a PASMA scaffold licence so we can build and climb scaffold.
With a 40" waist (very little fat!), a chest that destroys XXL shirts and a preference for coveralls/boilersuits in size 60", I can say I'm definitely a broadback. How about you CL? Send a picture in and we can have a vote on whether you're a narrowback or a broadback. ;)