EIGHTEEN (18) VINTAGE & HISTORICAL
CHEMISTRY / ALCHEMY FILMS

(1930-1974)

OVER 4 1/2 HOURS ON 3 DVDs!

Through the use of lab tests, industrial documentaries and product demonstrations, these rare and historical films show how chemists and chemistry has changed the lives of everyone from the early 20th century through modern times.

DVD #1
APPROX. RUN TIME: 80 MINUTES
B/W, COLOR : w/SOUND

More Power to You (1930s)
Run Time: 9:08

This early film, narrated by Lowell Thomas, describes how oil is refined, reformulated, and used by consumers.

Frontiers of the Future (1937)
Run Time: 9:57

Another early chemistry film with excellent stock shots of manufacturing processes, research laboratories and 1930's industrial products.

The Alchemist In Hollywood (1940)
Run Time: 29:00

This film describes the chemical processes used in a motion picture laboratory showing demonstrations of exposure, photochemical reactions, and film development.

Test Tube Tale (1941)
Run Time: 9:26

This film describes industrial chemistry, the many advances in new product development and how chemists are trying to reduce the impact of pollution on the environment.

Kingdom of Plastics (1945)
Run Time: 10:27

This color film reviews the role of thermoplastic and thermosetting compounds used throughout history and World War II and speculates about plastic fabrics, shoes-of-the-future, and other man-made wonders of the world of tomorrow.

Fire (1946)
Run Time: 10:22

This Encyclopaedia Brittanica film describes the physical aspects of fire explaining the role that oxygen plays in fuelling a fire and the proper ways to extinguish small fires.

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DVD #2
APPROX. RUN TIME: 94 MINUTES
B/W, COLOR : w/SOUND

Death to Weeds (1947)
Run Time: 23:32

This film promotes new herbicides that incorporate the chemical agent 2-4-D using stop motion techniques to show how quickly weeds die after being introduced to the chemical.

Garden Wise (1950s)
Run Time: 25:00

This film, created by Monsanto, was used to promote a new soil enhancement chemical called Krillium (polyacrylamide). It should be noted that "Krillium" was later found to biodegrade into cancer-causing toxins.

New World Through Chemistry (1950s)
Run Time: 18:16

This film shows the domestic benefits in the household through the advancements of man made fibers and modern chemistry. (No soundtrack)

Liquid Air and Fire Magic (1953)
Run Time: 9:35

This film is comprised of 2 newsreels that show 2 classroom presentations that describe and demonstrate the various properties of air, water and fire.

Why Study Science (1955)
Run Time: 10:54

On a family camping trip, a pipe smoking father describes the importance of science to his son and daughter in order to give them a sound understanding of the technology that will be driving the future of the atomic age.

Hanford Science Forum (1957)
Run Time: 9:46

Dr. Richard Foster, manager of the Aquatic Biology Division at the Hanford plutonium plant, presents his research that the plant's radioactive effluents have no effect on aquatic life. Various plankton, clams, crayfish, fish (bullhead, sturgeon), etc. in jars are examined.

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DVD #3
APPROX. RUN TIME: 105 MINUTES
B/W, COLOR : w/SOUND

White Wonder (1958)
Run Time: 27:37

Salt, its extraction and uses in national defense, industry, agriculture, and the home. A feast of late-1950s imagery of everyday life, culture and industry.

Wonder of Water (1958)
Run Time: 12:13

Using the classic electrolysis experiment, running an electric current through water to separate it into hydrogen and oxygen, this film describes the chemical structure of water and its amazing life-sustaining properties.

Everyday Radioactivity (1960s)
Run Time: 30:46

Shows the in-depth theory of gamma energy measurement with an explanation of background radiation and the scientific processes to determine the source of radiation, the type of radiation being emitting, and the explanation of how Geiger detectors and scintillation counters work.

Mobile Lab - Any Questions (1974)
Run Time: 8:00

Describes the curriculum of a mobile science laboratory traveling from high school to high school in Washington, DC. Shows how the program demonstrates that science is relevant to urban living.

Preventing Harm from Sodium Hydrosulfide (NaHS)
Run Time: 6:43

This recent film is a safety bulletin put out by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board and describes the physical properties and industrial uses of Sodium Hydrosulfide (NaHS), a colorless compound of sodium, and Hydrogen Sulfide Gas (H2S).

The Dangers of Uncontrolled Chemical Reactions (2007)
Run Time: 20:21

Although recent, we included this film from the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, because of it's relevant public safety message regarding the dangers of uncontrolled chemical reactions.

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EIGHTEEN (18) RARE CHEMISTRY / ALCHEMY FILMS

A final word about these films... They are old, unedited, original films created between 30 and 78 years ago so please don't expect them to have the same production quality as you would find in a feature film produced using today's technology.