Our Shrinking World

1946 · Prelinger Archives · 10 minutes · 116 shots · Black and white

Every shot, with timecodes

• 

  Young America Films title card with eagle graphic

  0:00.0–0:06.5 (6.5 s) · shot 3520 · animation

• 

  Globe graphic spinning with title text overlaid

  0:06.5–0:11.8 (5.3 s) · shot 3521 · animation

• 

  Globe graphic spinning fading out against dark background

  0:11.8–0:14.8 (2.9 s) · shot 3522 · animation

• 

  People breaking stones outdoors in a vast open landscape

  0:14.8–0:18.1 (3.4 s) · shot 3523

• 

  Close-up of a person hammering a stone fragment

  0:18.1–0:24.4 (6.3 s) · shot 3524

• 

  Person hammering small stones sitting on the ground

  0:24.4–0:30.0 (5.6 s) · shot 3525

• 

  People moving wheelbarrows across a rocky outdoor work area

  0:30.0–0:33.7 (3.7 s) · shot 3526

• 

  Workers pulling a heavy cylindrical roller with ropes

  0:33.7–0:36.4 (2.7 s) · shot 3527

• 

  Airplane flying low over a wide open plain with hills

  0:36.4–0:48.5 (12.1 s) · shot 3528

• 

  The Great Wall of China snaking across a barren ridge

  0:48.5–0:56.6 (8.1 s) · shot 3529

• 

  Spinning globe graphic showing Africa and Europe

  0:56.6–1:02.0 (5.3 s) · shot 3530 · animation

• 

  Sunlight reflecting off moving water surface

  1:02.0–1:04.1 (2.1 s) · shot 3531

• 

  Snow-capped mountain range under a clear sky

  1:04.1–1:06.3 (2.2 s) · shot 3532

• 

  Vast desert or arid landscape with roads crisscrossing

  1:06.3–1:10.6 (4.3 s) · shot 3533

• 

  River flowing between tree-covered slopes and mountains

  1:10.6–1:13.8 (3.2 s) · shot 3534

• 

  Lush tropical forest with palm trees and dense foliage

  1:13.8–1:17.5 (3.7 s) · shot 3535

• 

  Crowded outdoor marketplace with people walking and trading

  1:17.5–1:24.7 (7.2 s) · shot 3536

• 

  Person carrying children in baskets suspended from a shoulder pole

  1:24.7–1:27.7 (3.0 s) · shot 3537

• 

  People riding horses along a steep rocky mountain trail

  1:27.7–1:32.2 (4.5 s) · shot 3538

• 

  Horse riders navigating a steep rocky hillside

  1:32.2–1:35.3 (3.1 s) · shot 3539

• 

  Pack animals and handlers walking near a wall

  1:35.3–1:42.6 (7.3 s) · shot 3540

• 

  Donkeys carrying heavy loads along a rocky mountain path

  1:42.6–1:44.8 (2.2 s) · shot 3541

• 

  Pack animals loaded with heavy cargo walking through snowy mountains

  1:44.8–1:48.9 (4.1 s) · shot 3542

• 

  Cattle pulling a cart through a wooded path

  1:48.9–2:07.0 (18.2 s) · shot 3543

• 

  man in a small boat packing fishing nets on a beach

  2:07.0–2:10.2 (3.1 s) · shot 3544

• 

  close-up of a man wearing a turban handling fishing nets inside a canoe

  2:10.2–2:14.0 (3.9 s) · shot 3545

• 

  two people holding up a large fishing net on a sandy beach

  2:14.0–2:16.7 (2.7 s) · shot 3546

• 

  a small outrigger sailing boat moving through choppy ocean waves

  2:16.7–2:20.8 (4.1 s) · shot 3547

• 

  close-up of a small outrigger sailboat cutting through ocean waves

  2:20.8–2:25.1 (4.2 s) · shot 3548

• 

  a crowd of people in historical costumes gathered in an ornate hall

  2:25.1–2:29.3 (4.3 s) · shot 3549

• 

  sparkling sunlight reflecting off the surface of open ocean water at night

  2:29.3–2:33.8 (4.5 s) · shot 3550

• 

  small rowing boats with people celebrating near the shore with a sailing ship behind

  2:33.8–2:37.0 (3.2 s) · shot 3551

• 

  historic sailing ship graphic with text overlay

  2:37.0–2:50.2 (13.1 s) · shot 3552

• 

  animated globe showing the earth against a background of clouds

  2:50.2–2:57.0 (6.9 s) · shot 3553 · animation

• 

  a horse-drawn carriage speeding along a dusty dirt road through a landscape

  2:57.0–3:03.1 (6.0 s) · shot 3554

• 

  several horse-drawn covered wagons traveling through a rocky landscape with hills

  3:03.1–3:08.1 (5.0 s) · shot 3555

• 

  horse-drawn covered wagons moving along a dirt path through a grassy valley

  3:08.1–3:10.7 (2.6 s) · shot 3556

• 

  an old steam locomotive with passengers riding on top standing on tracks

  3:10.7–3:13.6 (2.8 s) · shot 3557

• 

  historical steam train moving along tracks with passengers waving from carriages

  3:13.6–3:23.4 (9.8 s) · shot 3558

• 

  map of the United States showing routes between major cities with text labels

  3:23.4–3:39.6 (16.2 s) · shot 3559

• 

  paddle steamer boat moving along a calm river or canal

  3:39.6–3:43.0 (3.4 s) · shot 3560

• 

  paddle steamer boat traveling along a calm waterway with trees along the bank

  3:43.0–3:45.8 (2.8 s) · shot 3561

• 

  large paddle steamers traveling together on a wide river with smoke rising

  3:45.8–3:48.1 (2.3 s) · shot 3562

• 

  close-up of a large paddle steamer moving along a river with smoke from its chimney

  3:48.1–3:50.1 (2.0 s) · shot 3563

• 

  paddle wheel mechanism of a steamship operating on a river

  3:50.1–3:53.6 (3.5 s) · shot 3564

• 

  telegraph machine operating with paper tape and spool mechanism in an office

  3:53.6–3:57.8 (4.2 s) · shot 3565

• 

  bronze relief portrait medallion of Samuel F. B. Morse with text inscription

  3:57.8–4:02.1 (4.4 s) · shot 3566

• 

  man in historical clothing sitting at a telephone switchboard operating equipment

  4:02.1–4:07.3 (5.2 s) · shot 3567

• 

  Telegraph pole with multiple crossbars and wires against cloudy sky, historical communication infrastructure

  4:07.3–4:11.3 (4.0 s) · shot 3568

• 

  Animated globe spinning within concentric target rings, geographical reference graphic

  4:11.3–4:26.5 (15.2 s) · shot 3569 · animation

• 

  Animated spinning globe overlaid with archival text reference, historical milestone graphic

  4:26.5–4:34.8 (8.3 s) · shot 3570 · animation

• 

  Animated spinning globe inside concentric circles with archival text reference, historical milestone graphic

  4:34.8–4:38.8 (4.0 s) · shot 3571 · animation

• 

  Early vintage automobile driving forward on a dirt road, historical transport

  4:38.8–4:41.1 (2.3 s) · shot 3572

• 

  Driver's POV behind the steering wheel of an early vintage automobile on a dirt road

  4:41.1–4:43.7 (2.6 s) · shot 3573

• 

  Vintage car driving past horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians on a city street

  4:43.7–5:00.5 (16.8 s) · shot 3574

• 

  Pioneering biplane structure with people nearby and overlaid archival text, early aviation history

  5:00.5–5:05.0 (4.5 s) · shot 3575 · animation

• 

  Men starting and preparing a pioneering biplane for flight on an open field

  5:05.0–5:11.9 (6.8 s) · shot 3576

• 

  Pioneering biplane in flight, early aviation history over flat terrain

  5:11.9–5:16.1 (4.3 s) · shot 3577

• 

  Telegraph pole and wires against a dark background with overlaid archival text, early wireless communication

  5:16.1–5:20.2 (4.0 s) · shot 3578 · animation

• 

  Telegraph pole and wires against a dark background, early wireless communication infrastructure

  5:20.2–5:25.2 (5.0 s) · shot 3579

• 

  Animated spinning globe inside concentric circles, geographical reference graphic

  5:25.2–5:37.8 (12.6 s) · shot 3580 · animation

• 

  Animated spinning globe overlaid with archival text and biplane silhouette, historical flight record

  5:37.8–5:44.8 (7.0 s) · shot 3581 · animation

• 

  Animated spinning globe inside concentric circles, geographical reference graphic

  5:44.8–5:50.5 (5.8 s) · shot 3582 · animation

• 

  Orchestra playing in a studio with microphones and stage lighting, musical broadcast performance

  5:50.5–5:55.3 (4.8 s) · shot 3583

• 

  Men in control room watching and reading documents through large windows, broadcasting station

  5:55.3–5:58.4 (3.1 s) · shot 3584

• 

  Technician operating a television broadcast camera in a studio, early television production

  5:58.4–6:03.9 (5.5 s) · shot 3585

• 

  Studio monitor displaying a live musical performance on a small screen, early television technology

  6:03.9–6:06.2 (2.4 s) · shot 3586

• 

  Close-up of a television broadcast monitor displaying a live musical performance, early television technology

  6:06.2–6:09.0 (2.8 s) · shot 3587

• 

  Darkened room with audience watching a small illuminated television screen, early television broadcast viewing

  6:09.0–6:12.8 (3.8 s) · shot 3588

• 

  Woman smiling and sitting inside the cockpit of a modern light airplane, aviation history

  6:12.8–6:16.7 (3.9 s) · shot 3589

• 

  Small airplanes taking off and taxiing on a grassy airfield, modern aviation

  6:16.7–6:20.4 (3.7 s) · shot 3590

• 

  Modern single-engine airplane taking off and flying low over a grassy airfield, aviation

  6:20.4–6:25.1 (4.7 s) · shot 3591

• 

  Passengers boarding a vintage TWA propeller airplane via mobile stairs, 1940s style.

  6:25.1–6:27.9 (2.8 s) · shot 3592

• 

  Airport workers loading luggage into the belly compartment of a propeller airplane, 1940s.

  6:27.9–6:30.7 (2.8 s) · shot 3593

• 

  Flight crew and ground staff loading air mail and cargo into an airplane, 1940s.

  6:30.7–6:34.3 (3.6 s) · shot 3594

• 

  Close-up of labeled air mail bags and packages being loaded into an aircraft cargo hold.

  6:34.3–6:39.1 (4.8 s) · shot 3595

• 

  Propeller airplane engines spinning on the wing during flight, historical aviation footage.

  6:39.1–6:42.3 (3.1 s) · shot 3596

• 

  Four-engine propeller airplane in flight against a bright sky, 1940s aviation documentary.

  6:42.3–6:46.7 (4.4 s) · shot 3597

• 

  Military jet fighter aircraft taking off from a runway, mid-20th century footage.

  6:46.7–6:52.6 (5.9 s) · shot 3598

• 

  Military jet fighter flying in the sky, mid-20th century archival film.

  6:52.6–6:54.9 (2.3 s) · shot 3599

• 

  Military jet aircraft flying high in the sky, vintage archival footage.

  6:54.9–6:60.0 (5.1 s) · shot 3600

• 

  Animated globe with concentric radar rings showing the Earth, 1940s education film.

  6:60.0–7:10.8 (10.8 s) · shot 3601 · animation

• 

  Animated globe with concentric rings superimposed over a propeller aircraft in flight.

  7:10.8–7:18.1 (7.4 s) · shot 3602 · animation

• 

  Animated globe with concentric rings superimposed over a large propeller airplane in flight.

  7:18.1–7:24.5 (6.4 s) · shot 3603 · animation

• 

  Animated spinning globe showing different continents with concentric radar rings, 1940s film.

  7:24.5–7:32.5 (8.0 s) · shot 3604 · animation

• 

  Telephone operators working at a large switchboard console, mid-20th century office.

  7:32.5–7:36.8 (4.3 s) · shot 3605

• 

  Close-up of telephone switchboard panels with destination labels and cables, 1940s.

  7:36.8–7:38.8 (2.0 s) · shot 3606

• 

  Telephone switchboard in operation with staff and destination plaques above, 1940s office.

  7:38.8–7:42.1 (3.3 s) · shot 3607

• 

  Stylized 'ON THE AIR' graphic title overlaying an orchestra performing on stage.

  7:42.1–7:45.5 (3.4 s) · shot 3608

• 

  Control room with personnel working at consoles behind large glass windows, 1940s.

  7:45.5–7:49.8 (4.3 s) · shot 3609

• 

  Radio station call letters graphic superimposed over a live orchestra performance.

  7:49.8–7:53.2 (3.4 s) · shot 3610

• 

  Seaplane taking off or landing near a steamship on a river, mid-20th century.

  7:53.2–7:57.7 (4.5 s) · shot 3611

• 

  Streamlined passenger train traveling on a curved track through a forest, 1940s.

  7:57.7–8:03.6 (5.8 s) · shot 3612

• 

  Streamlined passenger train entering a tunnel in a rocky mountain area, 1940s.

  8:03.6–8:06.0 (2.5 s) · shot 3613

• 

  Streamlined train traveling through a canyon followed by a vintage car on a road.

  8:06.0–8:11.7 (5.6 s) · shot 3614

• 

  Model toy car and futuristic vehicle design against a graphic background, 1940s.

  8:11.7–8:16.5 (4.8 s) · shot 3615

• 

  futuristic streamlined car model rotating on turntable against abstract geometric backdrop

  8:16.5–8:33.9 (17.4 s) · shot 3616

• 

  greyhound bus driving along a highway in a landscape with hills

  8:33.9–8:41.2 (7.3 s) · shot 3617

• 

  large factory interior with rows of workers assembling items at long tables

  8:41.2–8:43.5 (2.3 s) · shot 3618

• 

  workers and handlers in industrial and storage settings including food preparation

  8:43.5–8:59.7 (16.2 s) · shot 3619

• 

  worker stacking crates on shelving unit in warehouse or factory setting

  8:59.7–9:03.0 (3.3 s) · shot 3620

• 

  men unloading crates from truck or container onto a platform in warehouse

  9:03.0–9:09.1 (6.0 s) · shot 3621

• 

  children running a race on an outdoor track during a sports event

  9:09.1–9:13.7 (4.6 s) · shot 3622

• 

  people swimming and diving in an outdoor pool with spectator stands

  9:13.7–9:16.9 (3.2 s) · shot 3623

• 

  children playing on a large wooden slide in a playground or park setting

  9:16.9–9:21.6 (4.7 s) · shot 3624

• 

  crowd of diverse people and children cheering and waving hands excitedly

  9:21.6–9:23.7 (2.1 s) · shot 3625

• 

  animated globe spinning against a cloudy sky background, shrinking in size

  9:23.7–9:42.8 (19.1 s) · shot 3626 · animation

• 

  black screen or dark transition fade between scenes

  9:42.8–9:44.8 (2.0 s) · shot 3627

• 

  the end title card featuring graphic with stars and text

  9:44.8–9:52.8 (8.0 s) · shot 3628

• 

  fading out of the end title card into a dark background

  9:52.8–9:54.8 (2.0 s) · shot 3629

• 

  text overlay on spinning globe introducing the story of transportation and communications

  9:54.8–10:04.0 (9.3 s) · shot 3630

• 

  text scrolling upward across spinning globe regarding transportation and communications

  10:04.0–10:06.5 (2.5 s) · shot 3631

• 

  text scrolling upward across globe about transportation and teacher assistance

  10:06.5–10:08.5 (2.0 s) · shot 3632

• 

  text scrolling across globe stating that teacher will help learn more about transportation

  10:08.5–10:10.8 (2.3 s) · shot 3633

• 

  text scrolling across globe finishing statement about teacher helping learn more

  10:10.8–10:17.3 (6.5 s) · shot 3634

• 

  fading text overlay on globe dissolving into dark background

  10:17.3–10:19.3 (2.0 s) · shot 3635