Cities: Why They Grow
Prelinger Archives · 9 minutes · 131 shots · Black and white
Every shot in Cities: Why They Grow, from the Prelinger Archives, with what's on screen and the exact seconds it starts and ends. Each shot was described from its own frames, so you can find the moment you need without scrubbing through the reel.
To use one, add Find Any Footage to Claude and ask for it by number, for example “get me a clip of shot 5920”. You get a trimmed MP4 of just those seconds, cut from the archive's best copy, with the credit line.
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Encyclopaedia Britannica Films logo animation with spotlights
0:00.0–0:03.1 (3.1 s) · shot 5920 · animation

Title card: Cities How They Grow Second Edition
0:03.1–0:08.3 (5.2 s) · shot 5921

Title credits: produced by Encyclopaedia Britannica Films in collaboration with Robert S. Lynd, Columbia University
0:08.3–0:20.8 (12.5 s) · shot 5922

Title credits fade out over opening street scene
0:20.8–0:24.1 (3.3 s) · shot 5923

Pedestrians walking along a busy city sidewalk in the 1950s
0:24.1–0:26.3 (2.2 s) · shot 5924

Crowd of people walking along a bustling city street
0:26.3–0:28.3 (2.0 s) · shot 5925

Street corner view with traffic lights and pedestrians in a city
0:28.3–0:30.8 (2.5 s) · shot 5926

Facade of a modern multi-story office building with large windows
0:30.8–0:33.4 (2.7 s) · shot 5927

Exterior view of a tall city office building exterior facade
0:33.4–0:35.8 (2.3 s) · shot 5928

Window washer working on the exterior of a tall city office building
0:35.8–0:39.4 (3.6 s) · shot 5929

City skyline view framed underneath a large suspension bridge
0:39.4–0:40.7 (1.3 s) · shot 5930

The United States Capitol building surrounded by bare trees
0:40.7–0:41.8 (1.1 s) · shot 5931

Aerial view of a city riverfront and bridges
0:41.8–0:43.0 (1.2 s) · shot 5932

City skyline and industrial smokestacks emitting smoke along the water
0:43.0–0:47.1 (4.2 s) · shot 5933

Heavy traffic of vintage cars driving on a wide multi-lane highway
0:47.1–0:51.3 (4.1 s) · shot 5934

Panoramic harbor view of a coastal city with boats and skyline
0:51.3–0:55.4 (4.1 s) · shot 5935

Cityscape with a bridge crossing a river surrounded by hills
0:55.4–1:01.8 (6.4 s) · shot 5936

Animated map of the United States showing river systems and expanding settlement points
1:01.8–1:16.9 (15.1 s) · shot 5937 · animation

Covered wagons pulled by horses moving across a rural field in early America
1:16.9–1:23.7 (6.8 s) · shot 5938

Close-up of a covered wagon being pulled by oxen across the plains
1:23.7–1:27.5 (3.9 s) · shot 5939

Old steam paddleboat cruising on a calm river
1:27.5–1:30.8 (3.2 s) · shot 5940

Elevated view of a river with industrial factories and barges along the banks
1:30.8–1:37.0 (6.3 s) · shot 5941

Animated map of the US showing coastal shipping routes and port cities
1:37.0–1:46.9 (9.9 s) · shot 5942 · animation

Industrial waterfront with a large bridge structure and factory smokestacks
1:46.9–1:54.9 (8.0 s) · shot 5943

A water wheel turns continuously near a stone wall.
1:54.9–1:58.5 (3.6 s) · shot 5944

A large wooden water wheel rotates outdoors.
1:58.5–2:00.1 (1.6 s) · shot 5945

A man stands near a log on a sawmill machine.
2:00.1–2:02.4 (2.2 s) · shot 5946

An excavator loads dirt into a dump truck.
2:02.4–2:06.6 (4.2 s) · shot 5947

An animated map of the United States with a highlighted route.
2:06.6–2:11.3 (4.7 s) · shot 5948 · animation

Industrial steel production facility with molten metal pots and pipes.
2:11.3–2:18.7 (7.5 s) · shot 5949

Industrial furnace structure with smoke and activity.
2:18.7–2:22.9 (4.2 s) · shot 5950

Large explosion or burst of steam in an industrial setting.
2:22.9–2:25.2 (2.2 s) · shot 5951

Molten metal pouring from a large industrial container.
2:25.2–2:27.1 (1.9 s) · shot 5952

A machine processes glowing molten metal in a factory.
2:27.1–2:29.1 (2.0 s) · shot 5953

Molten metal container pouring material with sparks and smoke.
2:29.1–2:32.0 (2.9 s) · shot 5954

An animated map of the US midwest showing cattle icons and routes.
2:32.0–2:38.2 (6.2 s) · shot 5955 · animation

Aerial view of extensive stockyards filled with cattle.
2:38.2–2:41.1 (2.9 s) · shot 5956

Sheep walk through a gateway into a livestock car.
2:41.1–2:42.6 (1.4 s) · shot 5957

Freight train cars parked beside a large industrial grain elevator.
2:42.6–2:46.2 (3.7 s) · shot 5958

Animated map of the United States showing shipping routes and destinations.
2:46.2–2:50.1 (3.8 s) · shot 5959 · animation

High-angle view of a coastal city with parks and buildings.
2:50.1–2:52.9 (2.9 s) · shot 5960

People relax on a sandy beach shaded by palm trees.
2:52.9–2:55.8 (2.8 s) · shot 5961

Animated map of the United States with growing glowing geographic dots.
2:55.8–3:11.2 (15.4 s) · shot 5962 · animation

A steam train pulls a long line of cars along a curved track.
3:11.2–3:14.5 (3.3 s) · shot 5963

Tall industrial smokestacks emit steam against a bright sky.
3:14.5–3:15.8 (1.3 s) · shot 5964

Workers monitor machinery inside a large industrial textile mill.
3:15.8–3:17.5 (1.6 s) · shot 5965

A heavy industrial loom mechanism operates rapidly inside a factory.
3:17.5–3:18.7 (1.2 s) · shot 5966

Female textile workers monitor rows of industrial spinning machines.
3:18.7–3:20.8 (2.1 s) · shot 5967

Animated map of the United States showing city growth from 1860 to 1900
3:20.8–3:33.8 (13.1 s) · shot 5968 · animation

Crowd of people waiting inside a transit station or immigration hall
3:33.8–3:36.5 (2.7 s) · shot 5969

Doctor in dark suit listening to a man in a hat with a stethoscope
3:36.5–3:38.9 (2.4 s) · shot 5970

Industrial interior with a worker standing near heavy machinery and steam
3:38.9–3:42.8 (3.9 s) · shot 5971

Large agricultural harvesting machine cutting wheat in a field
3:42.8–3:50.2 (7.4 s) · shot 5972

High-angle view of industrial brick buildings with smoking chimneys
3:50.2–3:53.8 (3.6 s) · shot 5973

Aerial view of barges and boats on a waterway with cargo being loaded
3:53.8–3:56.3 (2.5 s) · shot 5974

Workers loading heavy crates onto a barge from a dock side crane
3:56.3–3:58.6 (2.3 s) · shot 5975

Dockworkers loading crates and boxes onto a ship cargo hold
3:58.6–4:01.4 (2.8 s) · shot 5976

Freight train moving past a line of boxcars with steam and smoke
4:01.4–4:07.0 (5.6 s) · shot 5977

People walking up steps toward the United States Capitol building
4:07.0–4:13.9 (6.9 s) · shot 5978

Animated street grid map of Washington D.C. area zooming in
4:13.9–4:18.5 (4.6 s) · shot 5979 · animation

Animated overhead street map zooming in closer on a specific urban section
4:18.5–4:21.8 (3.2 s) · shot 5980 · animation

Animated urban grid map showing a highlighted square sector blinking
4:21.8–4:25.7 (3.9 s) · shot 5981 · animation

Aerial view of a city neighborhood with buildings, streets, and vehicles
4:25.7–4:28.8 (3.1 s) · shot 5982

Zooming out from an aerial view over a dense city neighborhood
4:28.8–4:30.8 (2.0 s) · shot 5983

Wide aerial panorama overlooking a sprawling city skyline and neighborhoods
4:30.8–4:40.8 (9.9 s) · shot 5984

Cutaway diagram of city underground showing utility mains and cables
4:40.8–4:44.7 (3.9 s) · shot 5985 · animation

Animated diagram of city utilities transitioning into a neighborhood map
4:44.7–4:46.8 (2.1 s) · shot 5986 · animation

Animated city radar map showing expanding concentric circles from center
4:46.8–4:52.8 (6.0 s) · shot 5987 · animation

Animated city map with concentric rings and highlighted infrastructure points
4:52.8–4:54.9 (2.1 s) · shot 5988 · animation

Animated map showing spreading urban development rings outwards from center
4:54.9–5:02.7 (7.8 s) · shot 5989 · animation

Animated map showing dense concentric urban growth rings over a region
5:02.7–5:03.8 (1.1 s) · shot 5990 · animation

Animated map sequence showing changing boundary lines and dots for population
5:03.8–5:27.6 (23.8 s) · shot 5991 · animation

Aerial view of a coastal highway with city skyline in the background, 1940s style
5:27.6–5:36.2 (8.7 s) · shot 5992

People strolling on a city sidewalk next to baby carriages, 1940s urban street life
5:36.2–5:40.1 (3.9 s) · shot 5993

Multi-story apartment building with laundry hanging from exterior lines between windows
5:40.1–5:41.7 (1.6 s) · shot 5994

High-angle view of dense urban skyscrapers and downtown office buildings, mid-20th century
5:41.7–5:46.0 (4.2 s) · shot 5995

Crowd of people walking on a busy city street, vintage attire and hats
5:46.0–5:49.4 (3.4 s) · shot 5996

Busy city street filled with moving delivery trucks and pedestrians, 1940s urban scene
5:49.4–5:54.9 (5.5 s) · shot 5997

People gathered around an outdoor newspaper stand and kiosk on a city sidewalk
5:54.9–5:58.0 (3.2 s) · shot 5998

Three boys sitting and kneeling together on a stone stoop in a city alleyway
5:58.0–6:00.6 (2.6 s) · shot 5999

A young boy smoking a cigarette while leaning against a brick wall, close-up
6:00.6–6:02.0 (1.3 s) · shot 6000

Two boys interacting on the ground while another person watches, alley scene
6:02.0–6:04.1 (2.1 s) · shot 6001

Industrial riverside with smokestacks and factories emitting smoke, mid-century manufacturing
6:04.1–6:10.3 (6.2 s) · shot 6002

Police officer writing a ticket next to a parked car on a city street
6:10.3–6:12.9 (2.6 s) · shot 6003

Audience seated in a courtroom facing the judges' bench during a legal proceeding
6:12.9–6:15.7 (2.7 s) · shot 6004

People interacting inside a busy office with privacy dividers and desks, 1940s workplace
6:15.7–6:17.2 (1.5 s) · shot 6005

Office workers reviewing large record books and documents at a desk, professional setting
6:17.2–6:24.0 (6.8 s) · shot 6006

Abstract puffy white clouds moving across the sky, vintage educational film footage
6:24.0–6:26.7 (2.7 s) · shot 6007 · animation

Large concrete dam with massive water discharge gushing from spillways into a river
6:26.7–6:29.4 (2.7 s) · shot 6008

Map of the United States showing highlighted cities and towns across the country
6:29.4–6:38.2 (8.8 s) · shot 6009 · animation

Interior of a large industrial power plant with massive turbine generators
6:38.2–6:40.1 (1.9 s) · shot 6010

Panoramic view of a dense green forest landscape under a bright sky
6:40.1–6:42.5 (2.4 s) · shot 6011

High-voltage electrical transmission tower against a bright sky, rural utility infrastructure
6:42.5–6:54.2 (11.7 s) · shot 6012

Wooden utility poles with crossarms and power lines against an overcast sky
6:54.2–6:57.5 (3.3 s) · shot 6013

Office workers operating specialized business machines and equipment, 1940s technology
6:57.5–7:03.7 (6.2 s) · shot 6014

Ground crew member working on the engine of a parked passenger airplane on an airfield
7:03.7–7:09.0 (5.3 s) · shot 6015

A vintage passenger airplane parked on the tarmac, propellers visible.
7:09.0–7:12.3 (3.3 s) · shot 6016

People walking and shopping on a busy city sidewalk outdoors.
7:12.3–7:14.7 (2.3 s) · shot 6017

A dense crowd of people walking along a bustling city street.
7:14.7–7:17.3 (2.6 s) · shot 6018

Industrial loading area with parked trucks and large warehouses.
7:17.3–7:21.0 (3.7 s) · shot 6019

Construction workers raising wooden wall frames on a building site.
7:21.0–7:24.8 (3.8 s) · shot 6020

Aerial view of suburban houses and green gardens with pathways.
7:24.8–7:30.5 (5.7 s) · shot 6021

Residential suburban neighborhood with houses and trees.
7:30.5–7:32.9 (2.4 s) · shot 6022

Tall urban skyscraper building viewed from street level up.
7:32.9–7:35.9 (3.0 s) · shot 6023

A very tall skyscraper building pointing towards the sky.
7:35.9–7:39.9 (4.0 s) · shot 6024

Construction workers welding metal beams inside a building framework.
7:39.9–7:42.3 (2.3 s) · shot 6025

Close-up view of industrial riveting or bolting metal infrastructure.
7:42.3–7:44.3 (2.1 s) · shot 6026

Construction workers operating machinery on steel building framework.
7:44.3–7:46.0 (1.7 s) · shot 6027

A crane lifting heavy construction material on a hillside site.
7:46.0–7:51.0 (5.0 s) · shot 6028

Heavy traffic of vintage cars driving along a multi-lane highway.
7:51.0–7:54.4 (3.4 s) · shot 6029

A modern school building exterior with a lawn and trees in front.
7:54.4–7:56.4 (2.0 s) · shot 6030

Children playing and jumping rope on a grassy park lawn.
7:56.4–7:59.4 (3.0 s) · shot 6031

Apartment building exterior with a courtyard and people in the background.
7:59.4–8:02.9 (3.5 s) · shot 6032

Urban skyline view with bridges and apartment buildings from above.
8:02.9–8:08.3 (5.4 s) · shot 6033

Busy city waterfront with bridges and buildings from an elevated view.
8:08.3–8:14.0 (5.7 s) · shot 6034

Three people seen from behind standing inside a storefront window.
8:14.0–8:15.9 (1.9 s) · shot 6035

People walking down the front steps of a civic building.
8:15.9–8:18.9 (3.0 s) · shot 6036

A woman sitting at a desk stamping documents in an office.
8:18.9–8:22.5 (3.6 s) · shot 6037

Exterior of a large civic building with trees and people on steps.
8:22.5–8:25.5 (3.0 s) · shot 6038

Movie theater marquee at night with signs and people outside.
8:25.5–8:28.5 (3.0 s) · shot 6039

Wide shot of a symphony orchestra performing on a brightly lit stage indoors.
8:28.5–8:30.2 (1.7 s) · shot 6040

Close-up of fingers rapidly playing the strings of a violin in motion.
8:30.2–8:34.8 (4.5 s) · shot 6041

Medium shot of a man and woman dancing modern choreography in a studio.
8:34.8–8:40.3 (5.5 s) · shot 6042

Aerial view of a city neighborhood showing apartment blocks and a park.
8:40.3–8:44.2 (3.9 s) · shot 6043

Aerial view of a river cutting through a bustling metropolitan city center.
8:44.2–8:46.2 (2.0 s) · shot 6044

Aerial view of a river and bridge infrastructure in a large city.
8:46.2–8:48.5 (2.4 s) · shot 6045

Aerial view of a city landscape with a central river and high-rises.
8:48.5–8:51.0 (2.5 s) · shot 6046

Aerial view fading to a bright white sky over a city skyline.
8:51.0–8:54.5 (3.5 s) · shot 6047

High-altitude aerial view of a city fading into a bright white exposure.
8:54.5–8:56.8 (2.3 s) · shot 6048

Faded aerial shot of a city skyline transitioning into a bright white screen.
8:56.8–9:00.8 (3.9 s) · shot 6049

Title card displaying 'THE END' with a bridge and skyline silhouette background.
9:00.8–9:06.1 (5.4 s) · shot 6050
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