This chapter highlights the importance of collaborators at the National Astronomical Observatory of Chile, whose functions were distinct from those of mechanics and astronomers, but essential to the operation of the observatory. This case-based text sheds light on the hierarchical dynamics and contractual constraints within the institution, highlighting the fundamental role of labor practices in astronomy. It demonstrates how the contributions of collaborators, often overlooked, were crucial to the success of astronomical endeavors, challenging the notion of astronomers as the sole protagonists of scientific research. This chapter deserves a special section on the hidden role of women at the beginning of the twentieth century, when in Chile it was not possible or very difficult for women to develop academically and participate in the country’s scientific activities.