In the 19th century, the biggest category of working class people was domestic servants. Seen as “respectable” and relatively secure, compared with farm labour or factory work, it was however arduous, with long hours and often no paid holidays.
It was also difficult for labour to become organized. In the 20th century however, it becomes less attractive as a job as opportunities in shops and offices become available, and technology changes domestic work. There were also changes in attitudes to personal space, and whether having servants on duty at all hours was “acceptable”.
I heard somewhere that the “dumb waiter” was created to prevent servants eavesdropping outside rooms, perhaps this is a clue to the inherent tension in such close association.
[Selina Todd, Uni Oxford, Pamela Cox, Economic and Social Research Council, from Thinking Allowed, Radio 4]