6. World Examining Works, 401 West 14th Street
An Apple Store dominates the retail area of the landmarked Western Beef Building in the heart of the Meatpacking District. Its northern corner on Eighth Avenue displays a metal sign for World Examining Works. Its curious name offers little clue to the type of business conducted here unless you are familiar with the textile industry.
World Examining Works was a fabric cleaning, dyeing, and sponging firm that had a variety of Manhattan addresses in the first half of the 20th century. Sponging is a method of shrinking wool fabrics by applying water, then drying them with heat.
