Final answer:
The question relates to the Industrial Revolution's factory system, where strict shift systems governed workers, and relentless machinery operation was likened to 'gods in pain.' Only on Sundays were the furnaces somewhat subdued, with full activity resuming at midnight. Public recognition and reforms were scarce until later.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question appears to be historical in nature, referencing an era in which industrial manufacturing processes were vital but not widely known beyond those directly involved in the industries. This historical inquiry could relate to the Industrial Revolution, a period when manufacturing transitioned to machine-based methods and factory systems evolved greatly. During the Industrial Revolution, factories and mills operated with a strict system. The workforces were organized into shifts known as 'watches,' which relieved each other in a manner akin to military sentinels. The operation of this system was continuous; the industrial machinery operated tirelessly, creating an overwhelming symphony of sounds from the engines and furnaces that were likened to 'gods in pain.' This incessant activity was only slightly reduced on Sundays, in response to public pressure, before resuming with full force at midnight. The intense conditions and social impact of this process were largely ignored by those not involved in the manufacturing sectors until later social reforms introduced changes.