Unfortunately, most laws aren't put in place until they have to be put in place (i.e., something bad has happened). Usually, an event causes such a public uproar that legislation is nearly forced into having to enact some kind of law. The source of the public outcry can be many different things. It might be a massive tragedy - such as a fire - where hundreds of people perish. It might be a piece of literature that is so graphic, that its readers demand a change to the system. Or it might be the story of an ordinary woman who found a decomposing slug in the bottom of her glass. Regardless of the reason, the following laws were all important in creating the working and living conditions that we're accustomed to today.