Science & Technology - Energy

7 DVD Box Set

Disc 1: Atomic Bombs & Nuclear Energy Power for Peace Films (1950s - 1960s)

Brief Synopsis of DVD: Atomic power can be used both for destruction and creation.  Although nuclear energy remains extremely controversial to this day, its has in the minds of many, proved to be a relatively clean and safe source of energy.  Furthermore, some government official would argue that the atomic bomb can be used as a tool to scare off threats to America.   On the flip side, the effects of atomic energy when used in war,  the explosions and radiation exposure, are unconscionable.  Is atomic energy a good thing?  Is it a safe source of power?  Watch the entire atomic bombs videos series and decide for yourself. 

Atomic Power & Energy Video Content Summary:

• Atomic Energy

• Nuclear Power

• Power Plants

• Plowshare

Title #1: Atoms For Peace

Production Date:1950's

Running Time: 17 minutes

Brief Description: How nuclear energy can help mankind by making things not possible before a reality.  Explains how atomic sciences will help improve farming, medicine, energy, and make everything cheaper.  Narrator also tells us the US has made over 3000 shipments of nuclear isotopes to international buyers in one year......ironic isn't it?

Title #2: Atomic Energy As A Force Of Good

Production Date: 1955

Running Time: 28 minutes

Brief Description: Dramatization of a small towns reluctance to have a nuclear power plant built.  Education about the safety of atomic energy is promoted. 

Title #3: Atomic Power At Shippingport

Production Date: 1958

Running Time: 28 minutes

Brief Description: Tour of the World's first Nuclear Power Plant.

Title #4: Plowshare

Production Date:1961  

Running Time: 27 minutes

Brief Description: Explores the Plowshare Program started by the US government.  Promotes nuclear energy and science as beneficial for all mankind. 

Title #5: Plant Opening

Production Date: 1957

Running Time: 2 minutes

Brief Description: Vallecitos Atomic Electric Power Plant opens marking the first private nuclear power reactor. 

Disc 2: Electrical Appliances Films (1940's - 1950's)

Brief Synopsis of DVD: This classic collection takes us back in time when new electrical appliances, like the dishwashing machine, electric irons, and toasters were all the rage. A rare chance to see some of the early American appliances being promoted and sold to American society.

Title #1: Home Electrical Appliances

Production Date: 1944

Running Time: 10 minutes

Brief Description: Fun old film that takes apart old appliance to show how they work.  Also explains how electricity provides electrical appliances with power. 

Title #2:Young Man's Fancy

Production Date: 1952

Running Time: 29 minutes

Brief Description: A must see film that follows a desperate young girl who likes a boy, that isn't interested because he is pre-occupied with thinking about appliances and electrical science.  The propaganda encouraging electrical consumption mixed with the bizarre plot line makes this movie priceless. 

Title #3: The Home Electrical

Production Date: 19??

Running Time: 11 minutes

Brief Description: A tour of a house full of the "modern" appliances we Americans have come to love. 

Disc 3: Power Plants: Coal & Nuclear Powered Films (1940s - 1950s)

Brief Synopsis of DVD: Wonderful collection of classic energy production and industry films with amazing footage of some of the world's first and largest coal and nuclear power plants.  Great opportunity to see old turbines and power transformers and how old power plants used to operate.

Topics Include:

US Energy & Electric Power History

American Nuclear Power Plants History

US Coal Fired Power Plants History

Energy Production

First Power Plants

Title #1: Power To Serve

Production Date: 1957

Running Time: 20 minutes

Brief Description:   This movie explains all of vital pieces, especially the people, who devote their skill and talents to providing energy to Northern Ohio.  This film shows the entire process for creating power out of coal and contains fascinating footage of coal fired power plant that had over 6 million tons of stored coal.  

Title #2: My Dad's Company

Production Date: 1946

Running Time: 21 minutes

Brief Description:  A son puts together a presentation about the power plant where his dad works.  In the process we get a great breakdown about power production at an old coal fired power plant.  Has really great footage of turbines and very interesting statistics.

Title #3: Atomic Power At Shipping port

Production Date: 1958

Running Time: 28 minutes

Brief Description: Tour of the World's first Nuclear Power Plant.

Title #4: Atomic Energy For Good

Production Date: 1955

Running Time: 27 minutes

Brief Description:  Dramatization of a small towns reluctance to have a nuclear power plant built.  Education about the safety of atomic energy is promoted. 

Title #5: Newsreel

Production Date: 19

Running Time: 1 minutes

Brief Description: 1st Private Atom Power Plant Opens.

Title #6: Newsreel

Production Date: 1951

Running Time: 1 minutes

Brief Description: 1st time Camera's go inside Canada's Chalk River Atomic Plant. 

Disc 4: Electrical Science Films (1930's - 1970's)

Brief Synopsis of DVD: The powerful history of electricity generation, consumption, and science are brought to life in this magnificent collection of historical electrical science and technology films. 

Topics Include:

History of Electricity

Electrical Science & Energy

History of Electronics

Power Generation &  Distribution

History of Light Bulbs

Title #1: Principles of Electricity

Production Date: 1945

Running Time: 20 minutes

Brief Description: Beautifully animation mixed with real life examples is used to explains how electricity works in this fun scientific film. 

Title #2: Electromagnetism

Production Date: 193?

Running Time: 10 minutes

Brief Description:  A very thorough explanation of electromagnetism.  This film is silent.

Title #3: Electronics At Work

Production Date: 1943

Running Time: 21 minutes

Brief Description: Industrial film that scientifically explains electrical tubes.  The film is full of footage of industrial machines and military equipment that use these new tubes. 

Title #4: We Use Power

Production Date: 1956

Running Time: 10 minutes

Brief Description: Great film that follows the evolution of power sources in America with a main focus on hydropower and water turbines. 

Title #5: Light Of Your Life

Production Date: 194?

Running Time: 27 minutes

Brief Description: Entertaining half animated and half real life film that covers the history and uses of the light bulb. 

Title #6: Underground Cables

Production Date: 19??

Running Time: 11 minutes

Brief Description: Engineering film all about laying underground cables and how important it is to prevent water from enter the cables.  

Title #7: When The Circuit Breaks

Production Date: 1975

Running Time: 27 minutes

Brief Description: Beautiful color film that begins with a wonderfully narrated and thorough history of energy production and uses by man.  The film then moves into a surprisingly progressive and farsighted discussion about how Americans need to change their energy consumptions and habits.  Films discusses development of new energy sources and even improving fuel efficiency.  "Use wisefully, not wastefully"

Disc 5: Energy Modernization Of America Films (1950's)

Brief Synopsis of DVD: This films collection gives an insightful look into the electrical modernization of America.  These films follow America's long history of unfettered and arrant energy consumption. 

Topics Include:

History of Energy Consumption In America

Modernization of America

History of Light & Power Grids

Title #1: Freedom & Power

Production Date: 1952

Running Time: 22 minutes

Brief Description: A propaganda filled film made by General Electric encouraging unlimited consumption of electricity.  The film continues on to explain how excessive energy consumption promotes freedom. 

Title #2: How Man Made Day

Production Date: 19??

Running Time: 9 minutes

Brief Description: Great film showing how man has progressed in terms of creating light with an emphasis on the newly invented light bulb.

Title #3: Singing Wires

Production Date: 1951

Running Time: 22 minutes

Brief Description:   A rural American farm gets hooked up to the power grid and by golly it changes their lives for the better.  Can you see the light??

Disc 6: Natural Gas Industry Energy Film DVD (1959)

Brief Synopsis of DVD: The Columbia Gas System made this great color movie about the history of natural gas. Jam-packed with information, this film covers all the basic about natural gas and presents the topic from a viewpoint you would expect from late-50's era business interests in the United States. To top it off, the whole movie is narrated by a talking flame of natural gas. You can't miss this one if this topic is of interest to you! Running time 29 minutes.

Title #1:These are My People

Production Date: 1959

Running Time: 29 minutes

Disc 7: Hoover/Boulder Dam Construction & History Films (1930s)

Brief Synopsis of DVD: Construction on the Hoover Dam began in 1931 and ended in 1936.  The dam was originally called the Boulder Dam, but Congress passed a bill in 1947 the dam was renamed The Hoover Dam in honor of President Herbert Hoover.   The following films are a wonderful collection of historic documentary film following the construction of the Hoover Dam.  Amazing rare footage of one of the worlds largest hydroelectric dams (726 ft high and 1,244 ft long).

Title #1: Boulder Dam

Production Date: 1931

Running Time: 34 minutes

Brief Description: Three part film that follows the beginning stages of construction of the Hoover Dam.  This is a Silent Film with picture boards.   

Title #2: Boulder Dam

Production Date: 1930's

Running Time: 34 minutes

Brief Description: Amateur Documentary with excellent narration that follow the construction of the Hoover Dam.