This 1947 black and white documentary about the history of trade is part of a series of films called “The World Today” and produced by 20th Century Fox. A camel caravan of loaded camels opens the film. The desert winds blow across the sand. A set of three against a dark background is reminiscent of the three Wisemen (:33-1:05). Inside a trading center in Asia Minor, money being exchanged is interspersed with camels chewing hay (1:06-1:34). Outside, men work with fabric and a raised design is painted (1:35-1:55). Drawings of chariots include the Assyrians (1:59) and Egyptians (2:05), who used the Nile River to expand trade (2:16-2:25). An ancient map of the world is shown (2:26-2:30). The Parthenon Temple of the Athens Acropolis is shown (2:31-2:40), followed by Roman ruins (2:41-2:50). A 15th century map shows a flat earth with edges (2:55-3:10). Europe begins to trade with the East (3:11-3:40). Christopher Columbus and three galleons cross the ocean. The natives he called ‘Indians’, are shown carrying bananas. A native constructs a canoe and a bustling village of teepees is shown (3:41-4:30). An updated map and merchant sailing ships reach the African coast. They pass two canoes, who are then showing carrying packages on their heads (4:31-5:13). In 1497, Vasco da Gama sailed to India, opening up further trade opportunities (5:14-5:44). An updated map shows additional continents. Lloyds of London is created in 1688 to finance marine insurance (5:45-6:40). In America, a team of horses pulls giant logs used to build Clipper ships, as shown with men building one (6:41-7:16). Pacific Island natives paddle in homemade boats, and one is flipped over (7:17-7:30). Different styles of sailing ships are shown (7:31-8:15), In 1807, Robert Fulton built the first commercially successful steamboat, the Clermont. Canals were built to extend the rivers (8:16-8:55). Wagon trains and stagecoaches further opened the U.S. territories (8:56-9:30). In England, George Stephenson built a steam locomotive. Several pass the camera with passengers waving out the open windows. Passengers wait at a train station (9:31-10:18). The late 1800s saw the first gasoline cars, shown from the driver’s view on a dirt road, and then in a crowded city (10:19-10:42). In 1910, the Statue of Liberty welcomed immigrants (10:43-11:02). The streets are shown full of pedestrians, horse-drawn carriages, and automobiles (11:03-11:19). Farm produce and hogs are loaded and unloaded from merchant ships. Harrowing waves show the ship being tossed up and down (11:20-12:30). An explosion and equipment show the Panama Canal being built, which opened in 1914, and various boats moves through it (12:31-13:18). Cargo from around the world is unloaded (13:19-13:50). Cargo is also moved by train, with the mechanics shown up close and crossing trestle bridges. The insides of a passenger train’s dining car are shown, as well as additional train footage (13:51-15:48). Electric trains move passengers in the city (15:49-16:10). A 1940s Central Greyhouse Lines bus transports people (16:11-16:18). Multiple hitchhikers are shown (16:19-16:40). Highways and bridges were built (16:41-17:06). Passengers fly on an American Airlines DC-6 Flagship (17:07-18:25).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com