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Title: BIRTH OF A SEWING MACHINE

Reference number: 1592

Date: 1934c

Sponsor: Singer Sewing Machine Co. Ltd.

Sound: silent

Colour: bw

Fiction: non-fiction

Running time: 70.00 mins

Description: The manufacturing processes involved in making a Singer sewing machine at Clydebank, Glasgow, from its raw form of iron to the finished product packed and ready for export.

Preservation of this film supported by the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

Credits: Singer Sewing Machine Co. Ltd., Singer Building, London. The following film was produced by the courtesy of the Singer Manufacturing Co. Ltd. during normal working hours in their great factory. On the banks of the Clyde in Scotland is a mighty landmark...

Shotlist: [Please note shotlisted at 24fps. Overall timing at actual running speed of 18fps = c. 70 min]

REEL 1 (Parts 1-3)

Credits (.24) pan from river round to Singer factory (1.00) In this mighty factory, the largest of its kind in the world, Singer sewing machines are born. Pan from shipyard across rooftops to the factory (1.37) A telephoto view showing the giant "Queen Mary" under construction near the Singer factory. Pan from vessel in yard across to factory (1.51) Adjoining the factory are the Singer recreation hall and playing fields. Shots of playing fields and ext. of the hall (2.40) And Europe's largest Electric Clock calls those happy workers to their part in producing the world's finest sewing machines. Shot of the clock, pan down to workforce entering factory. gvs (3.59) Great quantities of raw materials are used daily. Here are some of the stack of pig iron. Stacks of pig iron in yard (4.39) A section of the timber yard. gvs of same (5.33) Tons of molten metal are used daily to make the main cast iron parts. gvs barrels of molten iron being filled up (6.18) The foundry where over a million castings are made weekly. gvs of the foundry shop floor (7.00) c/u of making of cast iron arms and shoulders for sewing machines (7.48) The moulds are now filled with molten metal. gvs of same (9.15) Other cast parts are prepared in a similar manner. Here are Balance Wheels being removed from their moulds. gvs same (9.54) After cooling, the castings are cleaned off in the great rumbling shop. gvs of "rumbling" machine in operation (10.47) a number of machining operations are now performed on the arms. gvs of machine processes (11.19) Here is a curious machine typing the serial numbers on the bedplate. gvs of stamping machine (11.40) Assembling the arm and bedplate. gvs of machine processes (11.19) Here is a curious machine typing the serial numbers on the bedplate. gvs stamping machine (11.40) Assembling the arm and bedplate. gvs of same and spraying assembled pieces (13.05) Nimble fingers then put on the well-known ornamentations. Applying transfer, trade name and decorative work to arms (14.07) Although not so large the steel parts of the sewing machine need massive machines in their manufacture. gvs of machinery in relation to size of steel parts (14.26) Embossing the steel plate. s/u of machine (14.47) Drop forging Pitman rods. Shots various stages in rod making (15.39) Here are some of the ingenious machines used in the making of various parts. gvs different named machines in operation (18.40) there are nearly 800 automatic machines in the Screw Department. gvs shop floor with hundreds of belt driven machines (19.45) Careful inspection of parts at various stages with control gauges ensures accuracy and easy replacement. gvs woman at benches (20.06) assembling and inspecting shuttles. c/u manual assembly (20.56) same for "shuttle races". General view production line (21.22) Spot welding oscillating hooks (21.36) Several types of furnaces are used to harden steel parts, most of which are quenched in whate oil after leaving the furnaces. gvs small parts being fed into furnace, being removed and dunked in oil (22.29) The plating department. gvs racks of parts going through plating process (23.29) The great Assembling Department. gvs production line during assembly at various stages (27.32) The machine heads are now finally cleaned off (28.00) Finished machine heads on racks (28.17) the completed machine heads are then wrapped in specially prepared material. Girls wrap machines (28.52) Needle making. Some of the 180 machines. gvs production processes at various stages in needle making. (33.25) Every needle is inspected several times during its manufacture. gvs inspection by hand (34.00) Finally they are inserted in the familiar packets at the rate of eighteen thousand per hour. Shots of mechanical packing (34.37)

REEL II (Parts 4 and 5)
No credits. Here is a view of the department where Singer Electric Motors are made. gvs of shop floor and production line (.45) Winding armatures. s/u of women at machines (1.18) The motors are tested on a sewing machine to ensure a satisfactory performance. Shot of women at testing machine (2.11) Note how easily the motor is fixed to the machine. Demonstration of same (2.32) the manufacture of singer accessories too calls for elaborate machinery. Here are oil cans being filled. gvs of machine making the cans and the mechanical filling process (3.44) Hoists connect all floors in the factory. Take a trip in one and see where Singer attachments are assembled and tested. Shot from hoist as it travels up (4.05) Shots of girl manually assembling small parts (4.30) the printing department where all Singer literature is printed. Pan across department. Shots of girl manually assembling small parts (4.30) The printing department where all Singer literature is printed. Pan across department. shots of the printing presses (5.19) Making the Singer transfers used for ornamenting the machine heads. c/u of same (6.04) Now for a glimpse of the cabinet department where Singer sewing machine cabinets, covers, drawers and all wood parts are made. gvs of the shop floor, timber being cut into lengths (6.57) The wood store. gvs of stacks of timber (7.32) Moulding table edges. c/u of same (7.50) Fretsawing 3 tables at one. Shots of same (8.18) These machines are the envy of all amateur woodworkers. gvs of fretsaws in action (8.47) Forming round top covers. gvs of manufacture of sewing machine covers (9.52) assembling table drawers. gvs at both slow and correct speed (10.30) shots of almost finished cabinets (10.55) And here is some of the finished cabinet work after varnishing and polishing. Demonstration of same (11.53) assembling treadle stands and tables. gvs of the production line (13.55) Crating. gvs of the finished cabinets and machines being crated up (14.16) despatch. Shots of stacked sewing machines waiting to be packed up (15.17) Making packing cases. gvs of the production line (15.58) Packing machines for export. gvs of packers at work on conveyor packing and tying up of crates (17.41) Loading in train. gvs as men load boxes onto a railway wagon. the yard engine steams out with full load from works siding (18.35) Singer sewing machines are great travellers. Shots of the crates stamped with various overseas destinations (19.12) Dockside. Loading machines onto cargo liner (20.00) shall we wish them "Bon Voyage"? Shots of cargo ship being towed into midstream by a tug (20.55) ecs (21.07)