This is an interesting look at the American automobile engineering industry of the early to mid 20th century. Many of the films discuss the marvels and importance of American engineering across the board and often make reference to hydro power as another great American engineering accomplishment. Strong emphasis on how engineering creates a more efficient productive and happier America. Topics Include: American Automobile Engineering, Early Car Stylist & Designers, American Engineering & The Economy
Included Films:
The Human Bridge
The Human Bridge
Produced: 1949
Length: 12 Minutes
Watch as a car is designed from the inside out. Automobile manufacturers promised they could create cars that would become valuable possessions, even rivaling the houses people lived in, and indeed they have! With vibrant pictures of never-before-seen vintage classics, architectural sketches take on a life of their own.. The Human Bridge shows viewers a glimpse of the world behind the development of these prized possessions on wheels. Taking a behind-the-scenes approach, The Human Bridge has great visuals, as well as interesting information on the development of automobiles.
American Engineer
American Engineer
Produced: 1956
Length: 27 Minutes
To be an engineer is to look towards the future with practical knowledge, experience, and a hopeful idealism. American Engineer, takes a broad look at what engineers do and how they are affecting the future on a daily basis in such areas as hydro-power, automobile engineering, precision volume manufacturing, and more.
American Look
American Look
Produced: 1958
Length: 28 Minutes
Through the arts and crafts of the American stylists the things around us are made to express our own free spirits and desires. American Look celebrates the stylists who make American living in the 1950s possible. Everything from cameras, furniture, buildings, is explored stylistically with emphasis placed on the new automobiles of the time. Design has never looked so good as in this informational and historical glimpse into a world of imagination and innovation.
Styling & The Experimental Car
Styling & The Experimental Car
Produced: 1960s
Length: 16 Minutes
This is the story of a search, a search for beauty. Shape, proportion, ornamentation, material, texture, color, function, pattern, space, and rhythm were all part of that search, the search not only to build a better, more reliable car, but the search to utilize all those tools and design a truly beautiful car. Late in the 1920s the model A replaced the model T. This was the beginning of a new motor age were the styling of a mass produced car would be more pleasing to the eye. As engineers worked to improve the mechanism, stylists worked to improve the appearance. Work of the stylists became an organized search for beauty. A wonderful look at concept cars in the 1960s as well as the history of the automobile this film is a gem of design history.
This Nations Power
This Nations Power
Produced: 1940
Length: 8 Minutes
America, the great nation that has accepted opportunity, America, built on faith and courage, America, civilization built upon industry and power. The song of power is as much our anthem as the song of courage of the distinguished men who built this vibrant nation. Thus begins This Nations Power, a riveting propaganda film on Americas true resource: power. Exploring all the different ways that America gets power, such as water and wind, the film aims to explain why engine power is our greatest means of power and why our engineers are our greatest resource. This 1940s film is a strong tribute to the power of America.
Design for Dreaming
Design for Dreaming
Produced: 1956
Length: 9 Minutes
Design for Dreaming is a surreal look at how people in the 1950s viewed the future of design and production. It starts with a young girl in bed who is whisked away by a masked man to a motorama where she sees and sings about all the beautiful cars and accessories. Full of campy songs that epitomize 1950s optimism and ideas for the future, this is nothing short of design propaganda brilliance.
