Author Topic: Found Film (Read 38446 times)

Bryan · « **Reply #150 on:** September 19, 2020, 05:04:05 PM »

In case you were wondering how they erected smoke stacks back then.

Bryan · « **Reply #151 on:** September 19, 2020, 05:10:53 PM »

The icing on the cake.

Francois · « **Reply #152 on:** September 19, 2020, 08:52:50 PM »

That is surprising...
Nowadays they probably lift the entire smokestack one part at a time from the ground like they do for tower cranes.

Bryan · « **Reply #153 on:** September 19, 2020, 09:52:49 PM »

Quote from: Francois on September 19, 2020, 08:52:50 PM

That is surprising...
Nowadays they probably lift the entire smokestack one part at a time from the ground like they do for tower cranes.

They would probably place the whole thing at once with a crane if they were doing it today. This method was probably cheap but very dangerous. Those were to good old days when you could kill or wound your employees without any repercussions. Imagine if one of those cables slipped or broke, that would throw the whole operation into disaster. Here's a few crops of those photos, there's three people on that scaffolding at the top to receive the stack section.

Francois · « **Reply #154 on:** September 19, 2020, 11:22:57 PM »

And the ladder doesn't seem to even have a cage around it!
Safety: 327th on the list of things to do.

Though when you look at the failblog you get the feeling things are still like that even in civilized countries.
Here's one I saw years ago that actually took place in Quebec City......
https://cheezburger.com/4528323584/jacked-theres-using-your-crane-ium

Bryan · « **Reply #155 on:** September 21, 2020, 12:16:11 AM »

Box 1201 - 1250. Some staged photos, probably for the newsletter.

Bryan · « **Reply #156 on:** September 21, 2020, 12:24:01 AM »

1227P - I think this is how they pressed the carbon anodes into shape before they baked then.
1234P - Un-baked anodes coming from the pressing machine.
1238R - Looks like the laboratory staff.
1248R - Portrait.
I'm not sure why they started putting letters, mostly P and R and M, after the picture numbers. Maybe it indicates who took the photo or what department it was for.

Bryan · « **Reply #157 on:** September 21, 2020, 08:32:58 PM »

Then and now comparison. I shot the now photo with a Kodak Retina I using Ilford Pan F 50+ developed in Rodinal.

Indofunk · « **Reply #158 on:** September 22, 2020, 02:27:01 AM »

Not much of a difference!! Except the truck moved a few yards farther away

Bryan · « **Reply #159 on:** September 22, 2020, 03:45:25 PM »

Maybe a few differences Satish, I think our truck is a little more recent than 1950's vintage.

These are from Box 1251-1300. These look like they're for the news letter.

Bryan · « **Reply #160 on:** September 22, 2020, 03:51:15 PM »

These are from the same box. Looks like a company pick nick, lots of good ones in here and I think it goes into the next box.
1268 - Prizes to give away
1271 and 1275 - a few prize winners
1276 - Ice Cream!
1280 - Pie eating competition

Bryan · « **Reply #161 on:** September 22, 2020, 03:52:28 PM »

More prize winners.

Francois · « **Reply #162 on:** September 22, 2020, 08:32:56 PM »

A 3 y.o. kid with a revolver... what could possibly go wrong?
I guess things didn't change much in a sense...

Bryan · « **Reply #163 on:** September 23, 2020, 04:00:25 PM »

Box 1301-1350, more from the company pick nick.
1303 - I like this one because he's sitting on a case of Rainier beer, that's the brand I usually use to develop film.
1304 and 1306 - some family shots.
1309 - This is where they had the company pick nick, on lake Coeur d'Alene in Idaho next to the old Playland Pier. Here's some information on the amusement park and the restoration of the carousel.
http://www.nostalgiamagazine.net/2019/04/01/good-times-at-playland-pier-in-coeur-dalene/
https://cdacarousel.com/history/
1311 - Shot with the carousel in the background.

Bryan · « **Reply #164 on:** September 23, 2020, 04:04:45 PM »

Here's some Aluminum Smelter theater, we're talking way off Broadway.

Bryan · « **Reply #165 on:** September 23, 2020, 04:12:24 PM »

1322 - The new tank is here!
1336 - This must be the guy at the front gate.
1337 - Employee portrait
1342 - Tour of the factory sewage/wastewater treatment plant. I'm not sure what the giant milk bottle tanks are, they were long gone before I got here.

Francois · « **Reply #166 on:** September 23, 2020, 04:41:15 PM »

Love the way they wear their ties too short...

Pete_R · « **Reply #167 on:** September 23, 2020, 05:56:37 PM »

Quote from: Francois on September 23, 2020, 04:41:15 PM

Love the way they wear their ties too short...

That's so that, when they get them caught in the machinery, it's a quicker death.

Francois · « **Reply #168 on:** September 23, 2020, 10:52:35 PM »

They should definitely be wearing a Collin Furze Safety Tie...

AJShepherd · « **Reply #169 on:** September 24, 2020, 08:27:51 AM »

The guard one (1336) looks like that guy in the first reel of a film noir who's one day short of retirement when they get shot by the bad guy during the heist.

Francois · « **Reply #170 on:** September 24, 2020, 02:56:26 PM »

I think he was in a 60's TV show....

Bryan · « **Reply #171 on:** September 24, 2020, 05:52:22 PM »

Looks like he came right out of Central Casting.

Bryan · « **Reply #172 on:** September 26, 2020, 10:43:14 PM »

Box 1351-1400
1366 - I guess they didn't have to worry about the employees wasting time on the internet with a computer like this.
1367 - I think the photographer had to tilt the camera to get it all in. At least they're using cranes and scaffolding this time.
1370 - That locomotive is pretty cool looking.
1371 - Old truck mounted crane.

Bryan · « **Reply #173 on:** September 26, 2020, 10:47:40 PM »

1377 - That look on his face and all those chemicals on his desk, somethings going on there.
1378 - Showing off his manger scene.
1380 - Another shower shot.
1390 - Those are carbon anodes on the right, not sure what's in the bins.
1393 - Looks like they're going to hit something really hard with the thing.

Bryan · « **Reply #174 on:** September 26, 2020, 10:49:14 PM »

First aid training 1950's style.

Francois · « **Reply #175 on:** September 26, 2020, 10:50:48 PM »

I wonder what the guys on the floor put on their resume?

Bryan · « **Reply #176 on:** September 28, 2020, 02:35:49 AM »

Box 1401-1450
1411 and 1437 - Over head crane and operator. I've never seen so many overhead cranes in one facility.
1418 - There were 6 takes of this portrait, that's the most I have seen so far. Usually it's just on or two, she must have been important. I thought this was the best one.
1439 - Decorating the Christmas tree.
1443 - Must be something important to celebrate, that's a lot of cigars.

Indofunk · « **Reply #177 on:** September 29, 2020, 02:51:11 AM »

1418 is important indeed! Too bad they didn't have any lighting to supplement the on-camera flash. Just one light to camera left would probably have made a huge difference.

Francois · « **Reply #178 on:** September 29, 2020, 02:32:33 PM »

I'm surprised they didn't think of photofloods in an aluminum reflector....

Bryan · « **Reply #179 on:** October 01, 2020, 04:00:14 AM »

Box 1451-1500
1451 - Measuring white powder in the lab, must be alumina.
1452 - Testing something in the lab
1462 - Scooping alumina from under one of the large alumina bins in the pot line.
1464 - Looks like navy uniforms, I think they're in the laboratory building.

Bryan · « **Reply #180 on:** October 01, 2020, 04:05:44 AM »

1483 - I assume these nurses are in a factory clinic.
1489 - Worker portrait
1498 - These are anode butts. They put these in the alumina and run a bunch of electricity through it to make aluminum. The butts are used up anodes that are then sand blasted clean, crushed and recycled into new anodes.

Indofunk · « **Reply #181 on:** October 04, 2020, 01:04:33 AM »

1462 definitely reminds me of this

Bryan · « **Reply #182 on:** October 04, 2020, 02:53:22 AM »

Quote from: Indofunk on October 04, 2020, 01:04:33 AM

1462 definitely reminds me of this

That guy puts Tony Montana to shame.

Box 1501-1550
1522 - Christmas presents
1533 and 1537 - Nuns touring the factory. Photo 1533 caught my eye because off the willies wagon in the background, my brother had one of those. I remember going off road with him in it, his only had a drivers seat, I had to sit on a milk crate. The interesting thing is this photo was taken about the same time that Kaiser Motors purchased the Willys-Overland company and changed the name to Willys Motor Company. Kaiser Motors was owned by Henry Kaiser who also owned this factory.
1545 - Driving the Hyster food wagon. Hyster is still in business making forklifts and such. The top box says Tobacco, under it is pastry followed by Hamburgers, Coney's. I assume Coney's are hot dogs and Tobacco was considered a food group back then.

Francois · « **Reply #183 on:** October 04, 2020, 03:06:44 PM »

That food cart made me smile. We had some somewhat similar carts at University for the maintenance guys. Only difference is that they were electric and had a platform at the back. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen them carry more than a mailbag or a toolbox....

irv_b · « **Reply #184 on:** October 05, 2020, 07:25:47 PM »

Would it be to naive for me to expect to see any people of colour due to when these pictures were made, the type of work being done and segregation laws of the time? Not meaning to start a discussion on race and politic on here, it was just something that I noticed and was wondering.

Francois · « **Reply #185 on:** October 05, 2020, 09:05:51 PM »

It could also just be a question of demographics. When you think of it, people of color used to represent a minority in most states at the time, with their concentration mostly in the south and on the east coast (with a bit in California).
Even in Canada it wasn't a common sight up until the 80's... I remember in the school I went to when I was a kid there were exactly 2 persons with dark skin and a girl from Laos... and that was just south of Montreal.

Bryan · « **Reply #186 on:** October 05, 2020, 09:27:29 PM »

Quote from: irv_b on October 05, 2020, 07:25:47 PM

Would it be to naive for me to expect to see any people of colour due to when these pictures were made, the type of work being done and segregation laws of the time? Not meaning to start a discussion on race and politic on here, it was just something that I noticed and was wondering.

To be honest that has been on my mind throughout most of this process. Spokane is more diverse now than it was in the 1950's but it's still very white. I don't think the 1950 census accounted for race but the 1960 census has Spokane at 97.5% white, 1.3% Black, 0.8% Asian and Pacific Islander, and 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native. In 2010 they have the white population at 85%.

There were a few pictures I didn't post because I thought they were too racist. There's also the sexism in how women only appear in certain types of jobs as well as how they are portrayed in many of these photos.

The jobs at this factory were good paying union jobs, probably only available to white men at that time due to segregation. There is only one instance where I think I saw a person of color but it's kind of hard to tell. It was a photo I already posted and I wondered at the time if anyone would pick up on it. This was my first posting of the photo, 1149R:

http://www.filmwasters.com/forum/index.php?topic=10046.msg136413#msg136413

The problem is the reduced size of these photos makes it difficult to see so here's another Zoom. Notice the table of people seated in the back corner behind a column.

Francois · « **Reply #187 on:** October 05, 2020, 11:05:05 PM »

That's sadly how things were back in those days...

Bryan · « **Reply #188 on:** October 07, 2020, 03:35:35 AM »

Box 1601-1650. If you go back to the first box of negatives that I shared it was 1551-1600. That's a the first box I grabbed to see what was on the film, just happened to be sitting on top. If you look back you will see that it was an open house event they had at the factory for family and friends. This box has a few more shots from that event.

http://www.filmwasters.com/forum/index.php?topic=10046.msg136175#msg136175

Bryan · « **Reply #189 on:** October 07, 2020, 03:41:39 AM »

1620 - Job instruction training.
1622 - Workers standing on a pot
1634 - I think he's taking some kind of instrument out of the cabinet.
1637 - I think this may be another overhead crane operator.

Bryan · « **Reply #190 on:** October 07, 2020, 03:50:10 AM »

1640 - I looked up the guitar, it looks like a 1949 Harmony Silvertone Hollowbody Electric.
https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/2017/04/1949-harmony-made-silvertone-hollowbody.html
1642 - More musical entertainment.
1645 - Employee portait
1646 - Birthday cake

Bryan · « **Reply #191 on:** October 07, 2020, 02:49:21 PM »

Just realized this one makes is a good before and after shot.

Francois · « **Reply #192 on:** October 07, 2020, 08:24:18 PM »

Not much left of it...

Bryan · « **Reply #193 on:** October 09, 2020, 03:54:21 AM »

Box 1651-1700
1667 - A zoom on the poster that totally reminds me of the Soviet era worker posters. I think they still use them in North Korea.
1684 - A forklift without forks. Clark still makes forklifts, it's amazing how little forklifts have changed over the last 65 years. https://www.clarkmhc.com/Trucks
1686 - A three wheel loader. This thing looks extremely unstable but I bet it can maneuver really well in tight spaces.

Francois · « **Reply #194 on:** October 09, 2020, 03:09:06 PM »

There are still some companies that make 3 wheel forklifts. I see them most often on the back of lumber delivery trucks and inside beer delivery trucks.
They have a really wide track for stability.

Bryan · « **Reply #195 on:** October 10, 2020, 04:27:16 AM »

Box 1701-1800
1732 - This is some of the crap we're cleaning up, they left a large building full of it. Nasty dusty stuff.
1738 - I think they are lining one of the pots with anode bricks.
1739 - Testing something in the lab.
1740 - I think it's safe to say this was taken in 1954.
1742 - More lab testing.

Bryan · « **Reply #196 on:** October 10, 2020, 04:35:47 AM »

This box also has a few 6X6 negatives. Also, the last log book I have covers photos 1744 to 2408.
1751 - This is Ned Bradley and his wife, this was taken sometime in November of 1954.
1756 - Ned won the 1st weeks prize. Doesn't say what it was for.
1760 - I think this guy is getting ready to blow something up. Doesn't give any details in the log book.

Bryan · « **Reply #197 on:** October 10, 2020, 04:46:21 AM »

These were all shot in the Rectifier building. These were shot on November 18, 1954, not much more information in the log book except the photographers were Pete Maddox and Don. A lot of different photographers listed in the log book, sometimes it's just a first name or initials.
1779 - This is where the electricity leaves the rectifier building to the pot lines.
1782 - Early computer modem?
1785 - Rectifier juice?
1800 - Pouring molten aluminum into a pot. I think they may be refining it further.

Francois · « **Reply #198 on:** October 10, 2020, 02:38:44 PM »

They definitely must be refining the aluminum some more.
I once heard that the new pots that are used nowadays pour from the bottom to avoid having some brittle aluminum oxide mix in with the good stuff.

Bryan · « **Reply #199 on:** October 12, 2020, 04:15:11 AM »

Box 1801-1901
1802 - November 21, 1954, Carbon anodes in a pot with alumina added.
1804 - Looks like they are adding something to the alumina and mixing it.
1896 & 1898 - December 29, 1954. IBM Equipment Room, Payroll Department. I wonder what someone did for them to put up a sign that just says "THINK".