Historically, human resources was referred to as people management. The history of personnel management begins around the end of the 19th century. Towards the end of the 19th century, women or welfare secretaries were only concerned with the protection of women and girls. The creation of welfare secretaries was a reaction to harsh industrial conditions. The First World War accelerated the development of personnel management, with large numbers of women recruited to fill the gaps left by men who had to fight in the war. Staffing continued to evolve into the 1920s, as titles such as labor manager or employment manager were created in the metalworking industry and other industries where large factories existed, to manage furloughs, hiring, firing, benefits, and many other aspects of profession. personnel management. Personnel management continued to grow and by the time World War II broke out, individuals were working as full-time staff in all war producing plants.