Henry Ford and the American Highway on DVD

SKU: A161

Henry Ford introduced the assembly line and brought about the birth of the modern automobile. But the growth in popularity of the automobile would have not been nearly as large without the birth of a new industry - the planning and development of good quality roads that the automobiles could travel on. This selection of films will explore the relation of the automobile and the roadways as they developed in the early and mid 20th century.

Product Details

Here are the contents of each of the films in the Henry Ford American Highway collection:

The American Road (1953)

This film shows the development of the transportation system in the United States during the first half of the 20th century. There is strong emphasis on the growth of the automotive industry and the roads and highways that were developed because of it. There are many great clips of Model T fords and other Ford models throughout the film.

Production Company: Ford Motor Company
Audio/Visual: sound, B&W
Run Time: 38:05

Freedom of the American Road (1955)

This film, introduced by Henry Ford II, was developed to encourage private citizens to support road improvement projects - including the very important Interstate Highway system. It also includes footage of steps taken to increase the safety of the Bayshore Highway in San Francisco, deal with congestion in Pittsburgh, Boston's Route 128 and many other milestones in developing our modern system of roads and highways.

Producer: MPO Productions, Inc.
Audio/Visual: Soundd, B&W
Run Time: 26:39

Henry Ford's Mirror of America (1962)

This is a collection of footage compiled from the Ford Film Collection showing the history of the United States in its culture, industry and daily life between 1915 and 1930. It includes great shots of Coney Island, early manufacturing footage and of course the increasing prominence and importance of the automobile in American life.

Producer: U.S. National Archives and Records Service
Audio/Visual: Sound, B&W