The wars of the Prussian and Austrians against each other and other
countries [notably the War of Austrian Succession and the Seven
Years War of 1756-1763] left behind whole armies of invalids --
soldiers who were spent.  Following old tradition, some of them
could be accommodated as teachers, also because of the discipline
that they provided.

But the masses of those thrown out simply wasted away.  There wasn't
a social network, only hunger for the families.

To Maria Theresa [1717-1780], the Austrian Empress, is attributed
the idea that those left lame and disabled by the campaigns were
given "license", not to kill -- that they had already behind them
-- but to work as crank-organ players, and thus they received the
"Thanks of the Fatherland" without serious fiscal complications.

The license allowed "die Werkelmaenner" themselves to earn the
bread of a slim pension.  They didn't get rich, that's for sure,
but nonetheless it wasn't a bad example, and the Prussians in
Berlin quickly imitated the Austrians in Vienna.

So "der Werkelmann" of Vienna really was (and still is) a "licensed
workman".

(Adapted from a history found in 1977 at the web site of Reutlinger
Drehorgelcompanie.)

Robbie Rhodes