Dating to 1955, “Buildings of Mud Adobe” was made by Arizona State College and distributed by Young America Films. It was directed by Joel Benedict.

00:00 : The earth itself, mixed with water, forms natural adobe bricks, which were sun-dried and used in ancient construction, such as the Tower of Babel and the Egyptian pyramids.

1:01-1:37 : Adobe bricks trace their origin back to Arabic and have historical significance in the Americas. Native Americans used adobe extensively, including at Casa Grande National Monument in Arizona, where mud rolls were layered to create walls.

1:50-2:06 : Adobe bricks were foundational for early Spanish architecture in the southwestern United States, such as the Palace of Governors in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

2:17-2:43 : Spanish missionaries used adobe in building missions across the American Southwest, including the San Xavier del Bac near Tucson, Arizona, which took over 100 years to complete.

2:50-3:14 : The widespread use of adobe in the Southwest extended to various structures, including Indian homes, old jails, ranch houses, miners’ huts, and boomtown buildings.

3:20-3:48 : Modern adobe construction highlights the material’s fireproof, insulating, and durable nature. Enhancements include asphalt stabilizers for moisture resistance and burning techniques for greater durability.

4:04-4:11 : Traditional adobe brick-making methods, including mixing clay soil with water and straw, remain unchanged over centuries.

4:18-5:30 : Adobe bricks are molded by smoothing mud into wooden forms, left to dry before being used in construction. They can be trimmed and shaped to fit architectural designs, allowing intricate patterns and strong structural walls.

5:37-8:31 : Modern construction uses concrete foundations and mortar to secure adobe bricks, blending ancient techniques with contemporary materials for lasting structures.

9:29-9:48 : Adobe bricks are soft enough to cut with hand saws, enabling precise fitting for windows and door frames.

9:54-10:11 : Adobe symbolizes timeless craftsmanship, blending historical methods with modern utility.

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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