When he started out, explosives had not yet come into use and when he retired, mechanicalcoal cutters were already at work.
coal cutter in American English
noun
a machine for cutting a kerf, esp. in longwall mining
Word origin
[1870–75]This word is first recorded in the period 1870–75. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: billing, fifth wheel, linkage, upgrade, washout