ROMANCE OF MAKING A MODERN MAGAZINE,THE [DEARBORN INDEPENDENT ADVERTISEMENT] [PART 1]

The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: “The printing art really began in the year 1423. In America Benjamin Franklin won prominence as a pioneer printer with his ‘Gazette.’ He was forced to contend with hand presses and wood type.” Man in Franklin costume, others in 18th century work costumes in print shop, operate manual printing press, Franklin examines copy - close-up of ‘Butler Gazette and County Journal’ of August 10, 1772. “A modern printing plant. The printing industry has made great strides. Magazines of today are not only beautiful with colors, but are produced with amazing speed to handle tremendous circulations.” Machinery in printing plant, workers - close-up of ‘The Dearborn Independent’ for July 31, 1926. “More than 200 manuscripts on all subjects are received weekly. The editors must read the material carefully to sort the grain from the chaff.” Editors at work in an office. “The editorial staff is always on the alert for topics which will be of interest and benefit to readers. Only those persons who read each issue thoroughly appreciate the wide range of subjects covered by the ‘Dearborn Independent.’” “Government and politics.” Crowd scene - President Calvin Coolidge delivering an address, battery of microphones. “Adventure.” Deck scene on sailing vessel ‘Irene and May.’ “The ‘Dearborn Independent’ is popular for its articles on nature.” Wild geese in a field and in flight. “Sports.” Four women swimmers posed on side of a boat, dive into water - Detroit Tigers baseball game in progress - tennis game in progress, spectators applauding - football game in progress. “History.” “Old Spanish missions.” Mission bell tower - plaque on house, ‘Here lived Paul Revere, 1770-1800. Placed by Paul Revere Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, 1895’ - view of Revere house. “What’s new in industry? This magazine will inform you.” Ford River Rouge plant - foundry interior. “Modern industrial farming.” “Agriculture holds a prominent place in the magazine, for it is America’s chief industry.” Tractor-powered thresher in operation. “The fine arts.” “What about worthwhile authors and their books? The ‘Dearborn Independent’ analyzes them for you.” Close-up of book shelf, titles. “Few persons appreciate the many processes through which a magazine passes before it reaches the readers. The ‘Dearborn Independent’ has news gatherers in all parts of the world.” “Europe.” Scene at a French railroad station. “Africa.” Palm trees and foliage. “Asia.” Scene on a Chinese street, men, women, and children - Japanese family eating. “South America.” River bank with huts, city street with horse-drawn carriages. “The editorial page presents a wide variety of ideas from a new point of view which is purely American.” Close-up of editorial page. “There are thousands of readers who regard ‘Mr. Ford’s page’ as a true friend which they would not care to miss.” Close-up of ‘Mr. Ford’s page.’ “After an article has been accepted and edited, it is turned over to artists for illustrating.” Artists painting on illustrations. “After approval by the editors, the articles are ready to be set in type. The manuscripts are first reproduced by means of perforations in rolls of paper at a keyboarding machine.” Workers operate keyboarding machines. “The rolls are placed in casting machines which produce individual pieces of type.” Casting machinery in operation, workers. “The type and engravings are arranged in page form.” Workers arrange proofs. “These proofs are carefully read and re-read.” Women reading proof. “It is necessary to make metal plate called Electro types.” “The first step is to make a wax mold.” Worker places proof plate on press, removes wax mold. “Building up the wax mold.” “On the wax mold is deposited a thin shell of copper by the electroplating process.” Worker places molds into solution. “Removing copper shell from mold.” Worker rinses mold, removes copper shell. “Melted lead is poured into the back of the copper shell forming the rough electrotype. Thus finishing operation completes the process.” Worker pours molten lead into back of copper shell. “Part Two will follow immediately.” [1926]