In the 1880s, in South Africa, a baboon named Jack worked as an assistant together with James, a railroad signalman. James was a double leg amputee, so he taught the baboon to help him operate the railway signals under supervision.

At one time, passengers claimed that the station was operated by a monkey. An official investigation was initiated, but the authorities made sure that the baboon was qualified enough to become an official employee. His salary was 20 cents per day. In 9 years of work, Jack never made a single mistake.