I hope this is not a repost
Here's a look at a automobile assembly line circa 1936.
Just look at them, they look overworked even back then. Give those boys a raise. Wait, better yet, give them the whole company.
I don't see anyone even doing anything that would even give them calluses until just about the time the body begins to meet the frame.
Get a load of that wiring harness.
My guess is that if you took a quick inventory, you would come up with some number less than 10 fingers per worker.
It was actually quite automated for this pre-computerized era.
I'd hate to think how much down time they'd have if one of the latter machines developed a glitch.
I did find it neat that even back then the huge presses that are stamping out what I'm guessing is the roof required both workers to have both hands on the buttons...
but anyway neat vid thanks for sharing
carguy123 wrote:It was actually quite automated for this pre-computerized era.
I'd hate to think how much down time they'd have if one of the latter machines developed a glitch.
Amazing to think all that automation was 100% mechanical - not an electron controlling anything but power on and off. I'm not even sure they were using ladder logic controllers yet in 1936.
And OSHA hadn't been invented yet - not until 1970 under Nixon. I sure wouldn't have wanted to work inbetween all that heavy machinery moving around at rapid rates. I suspect fingers were the least of their worries.
jstein77 wrote:I'm not even sure they were using ladder logic controllers yet in 1936.
Hard wired relay logic, yes.
Programmable logic...
that didn't happen until the latter '60s and was in fact the whole reason that PLC's (programmable logic controllers) were invented. They needed to change logic fast for the annual re-tool when the new models rolled out.
Hadn't thought about that, think of the retooling looking at all those big presses, etc.
Of course back then there weren't many models.
Wouldn't you just love to have one of those fresh off the line?
... and not a computer in sight, 'magine that.
Yes, very cool vid. Amazing how automated that was for 36. Did it say or does anybody know what kind of car that was? Probably a Ford?
GM not Ford.
those workers had had just about enough at that point...
a401cj wrote:those workers had had just about enough at that point...
The "Battle of Bulls Run" would have ended much differently today. Back then the police had six shooters and billy clubs...now they're a paramilitary force.
The would roll in with tanks and automatic weapons if strikers turned firehoses on them.
Wow. That's really cool. The guy walking backward at 7:05 while putting bolts in the engine looks like a broken ankle waiting to happen.
I took a tour of the Jeep factory , can't remember when, they were making CJ 2's or 3.s.
Most interesting part was the forging of the crankshaft.
Red hot chunk of metal. BANG, flip it over BANG again.
Ready for machining.
The engine blocks set out doors for seasoning.
Women sitting around making wiring harnesses.
Then the body drop.
When all was done, it was put on a set of rollers to test, then the driver would jump it off the rollers. I think he hit the brake.
Fascinatingly cool. Better than the Mechanica Synfonica vid in another post. Reminds of the scene in 8 Mile at the factory. Not much change in some ways.
Excellent. Thanks!
Some of those presses are twice the size (and 10 times the weight) of my house! 
this ain't '36... but
fasted58 wrote:this ain't '36... but
Anyone over 60" tall need not apply.
