An illustration from Puck magazine, showing "The protectors of our industries" sitting on top of various workers who make only $6 to $11 dollars a week and crushing them with their bags of millions. The industrialists pictured include Cyrus Field, Jay Gould, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and Russell Sage. Published: 7 February 1883. In the 19th century, very wealthy American business magnates were called "robber barons" and were criticized for their exploitative monopolies.