NARA Collection fc — Collection fc

The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: Captions: “Nearly one half of the motor-driven vehicles in the world today are Fords.” “Henry Ford is one of the few men whose visions have come true.” “His ambition was to make a light, durable car, so fundamentally right and economical that the humblest might own one.” “Oil, ore, fuel and lumber are supplied by Ford mines and forests.” “Iron ore mines, Michigan.” “Coal mines, West Virginia, Kentucky.” “Twin Branch, W.Va., has a daily output of 1,500 tons of coal.” “Lumber, Iron Mountain, and Sidnaw, Michigan.” “The parts are now sent to the assembly works.” “Attaching carburetor and spark plugs…” “The parts are put on an assembly line…” “Next week you will learn more about this wonderful car…” “The British Ford Works are at Trafford Park, Manchester…” “The Ford you buy is 80 percent British material and 100 percent British labor.” “The low price of the Ford brings a car within the reach of us all…” “Your Ford is British made with British labor.” “The Ford car owes its popularity to the scientific construction, the tough material it is made of and its wonderful uniformity.” [1923]

The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: “Forests” - “Ore” - “Railroads” - “Development.” “Over one-half of all the passenger cars in the world today are Ford.” Parked automobiles . “Henry Ford is one of the greatest idealists in the world today, a man whose visions have come true.” “The first Ford Plant.” Viewed through doorway, early model automobile. “His ambition was to make a light durable car, so fool-proof and economical that the humblest workman might own one.” Henry Ford drives the [1896] Quadricycle. “He concentrated his efforts in producing a universal type of car so fundamentally right that the basic mechanical principles survive year after year.” Late model 1923 Ford. “The Ford plants in Detroit are situated on 965 acres, 205½ acres of which are under roof.” Panorama of Ford plants. “The greatest industrial organization of all times, makes possible the production of --” “-- 7,000 cars a day.” Workers and automobiles outside a Ford plant. “Iron ore, fuel and lumber are supplied by Ford mines and forests.” “Iron ore. Imperial Mine, Michigamme, Michigan.” Iron ore mine buildings. “Coal mines, Nuttallburg and Twin Branch, West Virginia. Kentenia, Pond Creek, and Stone, Kentucky.” “Twin Branch, W. Va., supplies a low volatile smokeless coal.” Coal mine and homes. “Imagine the enormous amount of coal it requires a day to keep this industry supplied.” Railroad coal cars drawn by locomotive. “Lumber, Iron Mountain and Sidnaw, Michigan. One half million timber acres.” Lumbering operations. “Living wages and low prices are made possible by efficiency and the elimination waste.” Workers on automobile assembly line. “Waste lumber is made into ‘parts’ boxes.” “The waste metal is baled and melted with other metal. By adding this scrap steel greater strength is obtained.” Scrap metal processing machinery. “Great furnaces prepare the raw material for use in the building of Ford cars.” Smelting furnace. “Think of the tons of ore, coal and limestone used in the foundry daily.” “Vast quantities of steel are required to keep the daily production balanced.” “The manipulator is capable of handling a 5-ton ingot.” “The 54 miles of conveyors, by their various performances throughout the entire Ford organization, make possible this remarkable daily production of cars.” “All the wearing parts are accurately machined for close adjustment.” Automobile manufacturing machinery. “The body frame being assembled. It is almost impossible to conceive the great amount of lumber that is required daily.” Wooden automobile body frame. “The metal parts of the bodies are shaped by powerful presses.” “The axels are forged out by powerful machines.” “The bodies are then painted.” Workers spray-paint automobile bodies. “Tops are made of waterproof covering. The leather and cloth used each day would make several good sized circus tents.” Workers cut and assemble fabric automobile tops. “After all the thousands of parts are perfected the various units are assembled.” Workers on assembly line. “The transmission.” “Assembling the magneto.” “Single women and widows who have dependents are given a chance in the coil unit department and are paid same wage scale as men.” “Assembling the starting motor, Bendix drive and the generator.” “Assembling motor and transmission.” “Placing starting motor and generator.” “Numbering one of the millions of Ford motors.” “The completed motors are conveyed to the loading docks for shipment to the various assembly branches. Foreign shipments are boxed.” Boxing motors - crate with sign, ‘Ford, Sao Paulo, Case No. 19.’ “The rear axle.” Workers on assembly line. “Part Two will follow immediately.” “Ford Age, Part 2.” “A network of Ford service branches and assembly plants touches every nook and corner in the United States. The assembly plants operate along the same lines as the main Ford plants.” “Columbus branch.” “New York City branch.” “Detroit branch.” “Washington branch.” “Oklahoma City branch.” “Dallas branch.” “Kearny plant.” “St. Louis branch.” “San Francisco branch.” “Cork, Ireland plant.” “Buenos Aires branch.” “Copenhagen plant.” “The parts now go to the final assembly line, starting with the chassis.” “Lowering engine into frame.” “As the car moves along the engine and other parts are secured to the frame.” “The dash unit assembly is made on a special rack.” “Putting the dash on the car.” “Think of the amount of wood and rubber used in a day’s manufacture of wheels and tires for Ford cars.” “The radiator is then installed.” “Inspecting the chassis.” “The shields, fenders and running boards are positioned and secured to the brackets.” “The chassis now ready for the body.” “The car then drops from the conveyor to the starting platform and is started through the rear wheels.” “The Ford car owes its popularity to its scientific construction, the tough material it is made of and its wonderful performance.” “The sturdy frame and 3-point suspension permit this.” Ford is driven through deep mud and over raised sidewalk. “The Ford one-ton truck assists the road builder.” “-- and saves time in transportation.” Ford truck passes horse-drawn wagon. “Communities once separated by great distances are brought closer together through the use of the automobile and a strong link in the nation’s progress is formed.” “For this reason the Ford car is seen no matter where your trail may lead, whether it be in the mountains --” “-- or down the valleys -- in the far North’s wintry blasts -- or the South’s scorching sun -- in foreign lands.” [1923]

The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: “The Ford Motor Company begins an inter-plant express service via airplane from Dearborn to Chicago.” “Collecting express packages containing ‘rush’ Ford parts for the air trip from the Highland Park plant.” Plant building , 4/13/25. Women workers sorting mail - packages in mail room - loading mail truck - close-up of package for air service. “On its way in the Ford Delivery car.” Automobile and truck traffic. “Stopping at the Lincoln plant to collect more express packages.” Lincoln plant building. “In the meantime, the mechanics on the aviation field at Dearborn are giving the planes the ‘once over’ before the initial flight.” [Stout 2-AT] airplane is pushed out of hangar and fueled at Ford Airport. “The River Rouge plant adds a few more packages.” Truck leaves plant. “Experimental plant at Dearborn, Mich., where a lot of airplane work is being done.” “The Stout Metal Airplane Company.” “Tuning motor.” Mechanics start motor - truck is driven into airport and to plane. “Henry Ford and friends load the first packages.” “Mrs. Henry Ford shows keen interest in the initial flight of the ‘Maiden Dearborn.’” “Mr. Edsel Ford gives pilot a personal letter for delivery to the Chicago branch manager.” Edsel Ford drives up in Lincoln. “Hopping off on the 300 mile trip to Chicago.” “Tying the hands of Father Time for a few hours.” Plane flying overhead. “Arriving in Chicago 2 hrs., and 48 mins. later.” Plane lands. “Met by enthusiastic members of Chicago Association Commerce and local Ford dealers.” “Mr. Edsel Ford’s message is delivered promptly to the branch manager.” “Judge Landis greets the pilot.” “The express car arrives.” “Delivering and receiving packages at the Ford branch, Chicago.” “Loading for the return trip.” “Homeward bound.” ‘Maiden Dearborn’ takes off. “Arriving back home again at 5:36 p.m. the same day.” Plane lands. “Eddie Hamilton, pilot and Harry Russell, mechanic.” “An established Air service is a future development planned to keep all Ford units in close contact with each other.” Plane, Stout 2-AT, of Stout Air Transport, ‘Maiden Dearborn.’ [1925]

The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: “At the Ford Airport, at Dearborn, everything is in readiness for the initial flight.” Stout 2-AT airplane and hangar. “Imagine a complete Ford Roadster being shipped to Cleveland by airplane, for assembly and delivery.” Roadster parts being loaded aboard plane. “The success of the Chicago air service is manifested by the establishment of the new route to Cleveland, Ohio.” Stout 2-AT plane landing. “Henry Ford greets the pilot of the Chicago airplane upon its arrival at Dearborn, Michigan.” “Henry Ford and Edsel Ford show keen interest in this activity.” The Fords examine the [Stout 2-AT] plane. “The plane and the pilot.” Plane is readied for flight - pilot dons parachute, climbs into cockpit. “Off to blaze a new trail across the horizon of the world’s greatest industry.” Plane takes off. “Leaving Dearborn at 6 p.m. and arriving in Cleveland at 7:30 p.m.” Plane takes off - Henry Ford and others watch. A great crowd gathered at Cleveland to witness this epoch in the progress of America’s industrial history.” Plane lands - pilot is greeted by official. Immediately the process of assembling the roadster is begun.” Parts are unloaded and roadster is assembled by white clad workers on a stand erected for the purpose. “Darkness came as the car was almost completed.” “Next morning the roadster is delivered.” “And the new car and new owner find a new happiness together.” “Think of what the future will bring! Only a short while ago we would have laughed at the idea of doing that which we have just seen.” [1925]

The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: “Forward - A permanent product of the 1934 Century of Progress is the renewed confidence and vision which it inspired in the millions of people from all parts of the world who attended it. In 1933 the great exposition looked back on one hundred years of progress. In 1934, its second year, the exhibition looked forward to the future.” View looking down on large revolving globe, zooming in to United States and word “Chicago” - picture divided into three parts of people walking through exposition - view of people walking down The Avenue of Flags - view of parade marching down Avenue of Flags, Scottish band - view of Hall of Religion - view of colonial village, colonial houses, people in costume - costumed people dancing minuet in front of replica of Mount Vernon - view of people walking by huge thermometer - close-up of thermometer - people walking in exposition - view of Paris exhibit, outside representing French steamship, people milling - interior representing Latin Quarter of Paris, people walking down French style street - Goodyear blimp flying over Goodyear building - view inside cabin of blimp, pilots - aerial view of exposition on banks of Lake Michigan, skyline of Chicago in background - view of Travel and Transport building - view of early steam locomotive on display - view of modern streamline train on display - milling crowds - view of street scene in Spanish village exhibit - girls in Spanish dress walking in street - girl aerialist sliding down wire from high flag pole - people walking through exposition - views of village in the Black Forest exhibit - ice skaters performing on ice rink - view of General Motors building - view of Chrysler Motors building - views inside midget village exhibit - car stopping, man opening doors, midgets getting out, very tall boy holding midget in arms - English exhibit, replica of castle - view of English village, people in streets - view of Byrd’s South Pole ship at dock - view of people boarding open air bus - bus moving through exposition grounds - people looking at models of large prehistoric monsters in the Down The Lost River-Through The World A Million Years Ago exhibit - views of federal building - view of different gardens at exposition - view of Italian building - street scene in Italian village exhibit - view of copy of arches in Roman Forum - street scenes in Swiss village exhibit - clock on wall of building - view of tower of sky ride - people getting into elevator - aerial view of exposition from sky ride - people inside sky ride car - aerial views - view from ground of sky ride. [1934]

The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: View of large figure of boy kneeling in Radio Flyer wagon - views in children’s playground, children on different types of rides, people, clown, children - views in Belgium village exhibit - street scenes in Belgium village - costumed boys and girls performing the traditional and time-honored Flemish kiss-dance - view of Irish village exhibit - street scene in Irish village, people riding in horse-drawn wagon - view of entrance to Tunisian village exhibit - man and three belly dancers on platform, man giving spiel, crowd gathered around - Arabs sitting on carpet playing card game - close-up of Arab - two Arabs sword fighting - Arab family sitting under open tent - face of Arab - views of Dutch village exhibit - street scenes - milling crowds - two ventriloquists with dummies and piano player performing - Goodyear blimp flying over the Wings of a Century building - people in stands - transportation drama with horses, stagecoaches, and old cars, actors in costume - people walking through fair - views of people removing shoes, rubbing tired feet - views of fair at night, lighted exhibits - aerial view of Ford building - ground views of Ford building - views inside Ford building rotunda, photographs on walls, antique cars, people - Henry and Edsel Ford getting out of car in front of rotunda, greeting other men - views of huge revolving globe inside rotunda - exhibits and displays inside rotunda - overhead views of displays in rotunda, people - sign, ‘Stewart Warner Corporation’ - women testing speedometers at long table. “Ford and a Century of Progress. End of Part 2.” [1934]

The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: Ford exhibits at Century of Progress Exposition, Chicago - the Timken Detroit Axle Company exhibit - crowds, exhibits of workers, and machinery in operation, gear cutting - Detroit Gasket and Manufacturing Company exhibit - Amos Keag Manufacturing Company upholstery cloth making - Bendix Products Corporation exhibit - Henry Ford Trade School exhibit - Houdaille Hershey Corporation shock absorber manufacturing - United Engineering and Foundry Company miniature mill exhibit - L.A. Young Spring and Wire Corporation exhibit - Motor Products Corporation instrument panel manufacturing - displays of chassis, model motor, axle testing machine - exhibits with machinery in operation, workers - United States Rubber Company body welting - windshield laminating - Thompson Products Incorporated drag link making exhibit - casting parts - Shelton Looms upholstery cloth weaving - the American Brass Company, Anaconda Copper, and Brass Products exhibit - Murray Corporation of America upholstery making exhibit - pattern maker - crowds on balcony of Ford building. “End of Part 3.” [1934]

The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: Ford exhibits at Century of Progress Exposition, Chicago - exhibits with machinery in operation, workers - V-8 engine assembly - relief map showing Ford Motor Company installations - Aluminum Company of America cylinder head manufacturing exhibit - crowds on escalators - bolt making - Champion Spark Plug Company testing insulators exhibit - model cement mill - V-8 parts exhibit - Essex Wire Corporation electrical wiring manufacturing - the [air conditioned] Little Theater - Ford and Lincoln cars on display - Bagley Avenue shop on display with the Quadricycle - early and modern machine shop - industrialized farm exhibit - soybeans growing - steam engine, early farm machinery - soybean processing machine - plastic parts manufacturing - people in Ford cars being driven around roads display - crowd in Ford Amphitheater, Detroit Symphony playing - views of Ford buildings, exhibits. “The End.” [1934]

The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: Ford and a Century of Progress, Part One. Promotional film for the Century of Progress International Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. [1934]

The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: 1. Parade, automobile, truck and horse-drawn floats - band - ‘Ancient Thrones’ - floats and marching unit with motifs and signs, ‘Egypt,’ ‘China,’ and ‘The Garden of Allah’ - bagpipe unit. 2. “Detroit Mounted Police. One of the finest and best drilled police organizations in the world gives exhibition drill at State Fairgrounds.” Spectators - mounted police drill - riding and firing exhibition - GAR float - industrial plant - viewed from an overlooking hill, cameraman shooting an actor and actress in a domestic setting as they talk and embrace. 3. Institutional building complex. Pedestrians and spectators in a downtown palm studded park area - fountain in park - Spanish type church - peacock struts on church steps - tourists walk along side of pool in church garden - church as reflected by pool. 4. Football game. Football team runs onto field - kickoff and plays from scrimmage before a filled grandstand - forward pass play - one team scores touchdown. 5. Railroad wreckage. Wrecked railroad locomotive and cars - spectators and workmen inspect wreckage - railroad crane removing wreckage. 6. Will Rogers rope handling demonstration. Will Rogers talking and using lassos - close up of Rogers - demonstration with one and two lassos. [1916]

The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: 1. Denver, Colorado. Panorama of city, Capitol, and Daniels & Fisher Tower. Looking down 16th Street. Denver Public Library and Capitol Building. Views of the buildings, pedestrian traffic - tracks entering tunnel, streetcar entering tunnel. “Picturesque swan boats glide gracefully over the little lakes.” Swan boat and rowboat. 2. “The Battleground at Concord. A pine shaded lane leads up to and across the little bridge where stands the statue of the Minuteman by Daniel Chester French, marking the spot where the Patriots made their decisive stand and fired the shot that was heard around the world.” The statue. “The historic Boston State House. The cornerstone was laid July 4, 1795 by Governor Samuel Adams assisted by Paul Revere as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Masons. The front was designed by Charles Bullfinch, the first great American architect.” Boston State House. “The first Church of Christ Scientist. The mother church. Beautifully situated on Huntington Avenue it is one of the handsomest edifices in the world. It has a seating capacity of 5,000.” Church and pedestrian traffic. “Museum of Fine Arts. One of the most important art museums in the world.” Automobiles parked in front of Fine Arts building. “On the lawn in front of the museum stands Cyrus Dallin’s beautiful bronze statue, ‘The Appeal to the Great Spirit.” Statue - (‘Longfellow’s Home’ written on film) - tourists in front of house - bust of Longfellow on grounds. “Statue of John Harvard by Daniel Chester French.” Statue. “Ford Motor Company of Boston, Mass.” Ford plant with pedestrian, automobile traffic. “The Minuteman on Lexington Common.” Statue. “Boston Public Library occupies a conspicuous position in Copley Square...” Pedestrian traffic in square - statue of ‘Sumner’ - woman feeding squirrel. “Christ Church, ‘The Old North.’ The signal lanterns of Paul Revere displayed in the steeple of this church April 18, 1775...” 3. Denver, Colorado. Pedestrian traffic in street, church in background. Frame building, children leaning against it, pedestrian traffic - equestrian statue in park, pedestrians . City Park, pool, building in distance - statue - pedestrians. “At night- Denver lights up.” Business district at night. “Look Out Mountain. Towering 2,000 feet above the city of Denver this first parapet of the Rockies is reached by a wonderful scenic highway which coaxes you to the summit through a marvelous chain of loops and curves, a fitting monument to the skill of the modern road builder.” Tourists on rock over hang, road below. “Double hairpin curve on the way up to Look Out Mountain.” 4. “Indianapolis, Indiana. Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana, is the largest American inland city. Its population is 291,940...” Panorama of city - business district - heavy pedestrian traffic - streetcar, truck, automobile traffic. “Pearl Street. The Grand Canyon of Indianapolis.” Traffic. “A busy day in the market place.” Heavy pedestrian traffic, merchandise displayed on sidewalk. “Who said Indianapolis was slow.” Accelerated traffic scene. “The Capitol building. Built of Indiana limestone at a cost of $2,000,000.” “Monument Place.” Soldiers and Sailors monument. [1917]

The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows: 1. “Washington, D.C. President Wilson Parades. Marches at head of big Flag Day celebration in this city.” Parade with military band - President Wilson wearing straw hat, white ducks, and carrying American flag leads government officials, many in formal dress and carrying flags, parade to reviewing stand. “The President in the reviewing stand.” Group flanking President Wilson includes Mrs. Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt. “Immense gathering under the shadow of the Washington Monument.” Views of the seated crowd - the flag-decorated monument. 2. “Detroit, Michigan. President and Mrs. Wilson Visit This City to Officially Open World Salesmanship Congress.” President’s party welcomed upon arrival - board flag-decorated automobile - mounted police ride by and assume position at head of the motorcade - presidential party leaves motorcade. 3. “Long Branch, New.Jersey. Scenes at Shadow Lawn. At President Woodrow Wilson’s summer home, when the notification of his re-nomination for the Presidency was delivered to him.” Flag-decorated Shadow Lawn (exterior); crowds. “Senator Ollie James handed Pres. Wilson the official notification.” President Wilson and Senator James on balcony, James addresses the crowd, introduces Wilson. “I am the candidate of a party, but I am above all things else an American citizen.” Wilson addresses the cheering crowd, leaves balcony - views of the road, of President and Mrs. Wilson leaving an automobile. [1916]