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1936 Chevrolet Assembly Line

Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 7:16 pm
by dgrapes59
My dad sent me this link to a fascinating video of a 1936 Chevrolet Assembly Line; though not a tractor, it is quite a fascinating video to watch.

Narrative that was with the email:

This is really awesome footage of a 1936 Chevrolet assembly factory. Note the automation that was already in place, the workers lack of any and all modern safety equipment, glasses and helmets, and they ALL know exactly what to do and its getting done. Note also that when the body comes together with the chassis that it is in FULL trim, Interior, windshield, all glass etc. is already in place as it is dropped onto the awaiting rolling chassis, "AMAZING". Simplicity at its best. Note that while the metal finishers are checking the sheet metal for minute and tiny flaws and defects that they are wearing heavy leather work gloves. How would YOU like that repetitious job of placing 3 rivets in the 3 holes on the chassis for about 35 to 40 years?

Enjoy…….

http://www.dump.com/2011/07/15/fascinat ... ine-video/

Re: 1936 Chevrolet Assembly Line

Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 7:39 pm
by Barnyard
Thanks David, that was great. You reckon that was Norwood?

Back in the late 60's a friend of mine was out looking for a job. As he traveld I-75 he saw a new Cadillac broke down along the express way and a man up ahead walking. Jim picked the guy up and asked where he was headed. The guy said to take him to the next exit where he could make a phone call to get his car picked up. The guy asked Jim what he was doing out traveling and Jim said he had been out of work for a while and was job hunting. The guy took his name and number and said he would let him know if he heard of any jobs. Two days later Jim got a call from the personnel office at the Norwood plant offering him a job. The guy he had picked up turned out to be the Norwood plant manager.

Jim worked there for about six months and quit. He said he got bored standing all day putting on gas caps. I think I would have stuck around.

Re: 1936 Chevrolet Assembly Line

Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 7:42 pm
by RaymondDurban
Great video! The sheer number of the workforce is amazing! I noticed how all the guys had to have their hands on their switch before the sheet metal press came down. Wonder how many lost hands before that safety device was installed?! :shock:

Re: 1936 Chevrolet Assembly Line

Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 7:57 pm
by Bigdog
Fantastic video! I got so wrapped up in it that it was over before I knew it!

Re: 1936 Chevrolet Assembly Line

Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 8:16 pm
by dgrapes59
Barnyard wrote:Thanks David, that was great. You reckon that was Norwood?


Bill,

I didn’t think about the Norwood facility, it was gone long before I moved to this area. I now recall hearing something about it on the news recently, that space is slowly being occupied. I had to Google it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwood_Assembly

Interesting the GM plant made up about a third of the city of Norwood’s tax base! When it closed in 1987 it was referred to as “Black Wednesday” and obviously had a big economic impact on the area. Interesting reading, especially the part about the strike and how they scrapped 1,100 partially completed vehicles.

Re: 1936 Chevrolet Assembly Line

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 7:38 am
by Gary Dotson
Great video, thanks for sharing it, David! I love the old pics & videos. They sure used a lot of rivets in those days, most of that would be robot welded now.

Re: 1936 Chevrolet Assembly Line

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 11:10 am
by cowboy
Awesome David

:big afro:

Billy

Re: 1936 Chevrolet Assembly Line

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 11:21 am
by Rudi
I enjoyed the video. Same with the earlier Ford Assembly Line video. Both of these are really enlightening.

Re: 1936 Chevrolet Assembly Line

Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 11:44 am
by Jeff Silvey
Sense I do own a 36 delux master it was cool watching.

Re: 1936 Chevrolet Assembly Line

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 12:28 pm
by krose
great video

Re: 1936 Chevrolet Assembly Line

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 12:43 pm
by Super A
dgrapes59 wrote:
Barnyard wrote:Thanks David, that was great. You reckon that was Norwood?


Interesting reading, especially the part about the strike and how they scrapped 1,100 partially completed vehicles.


Puts me in mind of the 7288 and 7488 IH tractors at the Farmall plant (not sure how many) that were scrapped after the sale of IH's ag. division in 1984...

Al