This compilation features vintage films about the wonders & dangers of living in world filled with manufactured chemicals.

Included Content:

Garden Wise

Length: 24 Minutes | Produced:1940

A somewhat shocking vintage film, Garden Wise was a promotional film made by the Monsanto Corporation (still in operation) to advertise their latest fertilizer: Krillium. This pesticide is actually worse than it sounds: its chiefly made from polyacrylamide, which is horribly toxic to humans and no longer allowed! In stark contrast, the film is narrated by a beautiful woman with a lovely voice as she serenely discusses her hopes and dreams of achieving the perfect garden. This documentation of nasty pesticides and 1950s optimism makes Garden Wise a striking classic movie.

Mallinckrodt Chemical Comedy

Length: 9 Minutes | Produced:1935

The Mallincrkodt Chemical Company (not a household name!) made this early comedy reel for its employees.

Death to Weeds

Length: 22 Minutes | Produced:1947

documentary film about the application of 2-4-D pesticide that includes before and after footage of crop dusting.

Test Tube Tale

Length: 9 Minutes | Produced:1941

This is a chemistry propaganda film showing everything under the sun that chemicals help produce, from nylon to pesticides to raincoats. This film was made to encourage budding scientists to become chemists during the WWII era.

The Magic Wheel

Length: 29 Minutes | Produced:1952

This is a great film about the National Cash Register Company from the perspective of a 25 year veteran of a chemical engineering firm.

Dow Midland

Length: 21 Minutes | Produced:1950s

This is a silent film that documents the daily operations of the Dow Midland Chemical Plant in Michigan. It includes footage of the manufacturing of chemicals and chemical products, specifically saran wrap, dyes and pesticides.