Made by the National Association of Manufacturers, this historic film “Industry on Parade” showcases a variety of American businesses. The series aired on TV in the 1950s.

This episode first shows the clinical trials and tests as well as manufacturing process of Meticortin or Prednisone, an anti-inflammatory drug introduced by Schering and Upjohn (:29). Workers are seen in the chemical lab of one of their plants conducting clinical trials (:32). Today it is commonly known as prednisone and it is used to treat arthritis, asthma and rheumatic fever among other ailments. Materials are seen added to the basic powder mixture of the drug in a large mixer (:44). The mixed powder is moved to a drying area to be dried for twenty-four hours (:55). Meticortin tablets are then formed in machines (1:08) as specifically measured amounts are compressed into individual units (1:13). The tablets are collected in a bin (1:20) and bottled (1:29). Filled bottles are seen moving down a conveyor belt (1:48) and these are then packaged into boxes for shipment (1:57). A ‘Message from the Industry to You” interrupts (2:00) with shots of the White House (2:04) and various religious buildings for religious practice (2:16) as it discusses the system of free competitive enterprise. The film turns to Cincinnati, Ohio with a window shade factory (2:43). Shades are seen undergoing a destruction test (2:47). In one of the factory’s departments, wooden rollers are fabricated (3:08). Spring motors are seen in assembly (3:17). After an inspection, the motors are inserted into one end of the rollers (3:33) and the pivot pins are inserted into the other end. A machine crimps the rollers to ensure they are set into place (3:43). The embossing process is depicted which presses onto the material various patterns and textures (3:56). Paper or cloth is then coated in a washable plastic (4:04). Sheets of the shade material are hemmed (4:23) and fitted with slats (4:30). Another product from the company is the accordion door (5:06) which is seen in construction as well as in use in a woman’s home (5:25). In Florida, female employees report to begin work at a King Edward Cigar Company plant in Jacksonville (5:38). Some of the women are seen carting children into the factory (5:48) as they bring them daily to attend the nursey the company provided for the employees (5:56). The nursery is shown (6:01) and the female workers head to the cellophaning department (6:28). Machinery is seen wrapping the cigars in cellophane (6:39). One woman whom boxes the tobacco product, also conducts inspections simultaneously (7:00). The film concludes (7:23).

We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: “01:00:12:00 — President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference.”

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