The cavalcade of America. Music No history of a nation would be complete without a record of the growth of its industries. The shops and factories and laboratories that lend wings to the progress of a people. Such an enterprise is DuPont, one of America's earliest. As you listen on Wednesday evenings at this time to the cavalcade of America presented by DuPont, we hope that you will give a thought to the pioneers of American industry, as well as to the pioneers in all other fields of endeavor. And the spirit of progress so clearly shown in these stories is the thing that inspires DuPont chemists to fulfill their pledge, better things for better living through chemistry. At the very end of this program, we have a special announcement for school teachers which may help them in their work. Music This evening's first story begins in the early 18th century in colonial America. Our cavalcade orchestra plays an English dance which is characteristic of that day. The country dance from the Nell Gwyn Suite by Edward German. Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music In the ranks of the American cavalcade, march the direct lineal descendants of the great builders of the world. The pyramids of Egypt, the public baths of Rome, the Gothic cathedrals, and now the soaring steel towers of the modern skyscraper. In 1724, the guild of master craftsmen known as the Carpenter's Company was formed. Then, five years later, important business comes before the legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Order! It is now in order to hear from the special commission for building a state house to accommodate our Pennsylvania legislature. Mr. Hamilton, have you anything to report? Yes, Mr. Speaker. In accordance with the petition of the people of Philadelphia and the resolution of this body, I have prepared designs and plans for a building to house the legislature. Are you ready to submit it to the assembly for consideration? I am, together with an amendment to the bill now pending for appropriation of money necessary to carry out the construction. What will His Excellency permit us? Only two thousand pounds. Well, at least we can begin on that. Just as soon as the bill is enacted into law. I move the commission be appointed trustees for building the state house according to the approved design. Why are we not allowed to see the plans before approval? It seems to be... I second the motion, sir. The commission recommends... Questions, please. Order! Order! So on May 10th, 1729, the law was enacted authorizing the construction of that group of stately buildings in Philadelphia later known as Independence Hall. Edmund Woolley, master carpenter, and his skilled assistants, joiners, masons, plasterers, and glazers, toiled skillfully and cleverly to bring Andrew Hamilton's designs to perfect realization. But not until seven years later is the new state house far enough advanced to begin playing its celebrated part in the history of our nation. Autumn, 1736. Mr. Woolley, sir? Yes, Tyson. Is it finished? No, sir. There's one more nail. Drive it home. I thought it'd be more fitting, sir, for you to be the one to do that. Why does he think that? When this nail is home, the new state house will be ready for the legislature. After so many years, the honor should be yours. Vanity, Tyson, sheer vanity. But give me thy hammer. There you are, sir. There. It is done. Completed at last. Only the main building, but the wings and the tower. Aye, it needs a good tower. And a bell. I think it's wonderful just as it stands, Master Woolley. Surely there's nothing so fine in this part of the world. Nothing finer was being built when last I saw London. To be master carpenter of this fine state house must make you very proud, sir. Proud? Oh, tuk-tuk, Tyson. Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Yes, sir. I meant no offense. Oh, I take no offense. Thou art a good workman, and I thank thee for standing with me all these years. Six years, sir. Aye, so it has been. So now I may join the carpenter's company. Well, thee knows well only a master carpenter is eligible for membership in our guild. I've been a carpenter six years. I'm eligible. Why, so thee is. Well, time is a hasty wanton. And now I'm eligible for one thing more. Verily? What now? For the hand of Miss Prudence. What? Why, my daughter's only a child. Besides, I've set my heart she'll wed with only a master craft. But, sir, now I can be a master. And thee owns no land here. And thee is not one of the society of friends. I'm afraid not, sir. But I own land in England. I like thee well, Tyson, but I could not consent to see Prudence go back to England or marry out of meeting. But surely, sir, unless there is someone else. But it would seem there is. Yonder she comes now with young Coleman. Bob Coleman. Why, he's an iron worker. Why, but a master craftsman and one of our friends meeting. Good morrow, father. How does thee today? Prudence, child, I do not think it seemly for thee to be here. Soon there'll be a great crowd of people coming to watch the first sitting of the legislature here. Their first assembly in thy building, and thee expect me to stay away? Oh, fie, father, I hope I have more duty to thee than not see so good a sight. Oh, touch, Prudence, I fear the duty is to thine own curiosity. How does thee, Robert? Oh, well, I thank thee. Thie knows, Tyson. Oh, we've met before. Your servant, sir. We're just in time, Robert. Here come a lot of people. Oh, how bright they look, all silks and sassies. Oh, touch, touch, Prudence. I promise. Well, well, well, Mr. Woolley, sir. I see you are ready for us in time. Yes, friend Hamilton, I hope the legislature prospers well in its new fiendy place. I hope our laws are as good as our design. Well, our work is honest in our material sound. We shall degrace this fair province many years. Now, look here, Benjamin. Yes? Look at these hinges on the doors. They are uncommon handsome, are they not? They are more, Mr. Hamilton. They are uncommon strong. This Pennsylvania iron will make more than hinges. I do not follow you, Benjamin. We may not live to see it, but some day buildings will be made of iron. And wood and bricks will only be the ornaments of them. Benjamin, you think too much. Come along in. The members are taking their place. Who are those men, friend Tyson? Mr. Andrew Hamilton, speaker of the assembly. Who designs father and thee made into this fine building? Yes. And who was that man who talked of iron? He heard him praise my work. Ah, he trades in words. He is a printer. He is a clerk of the assembly. A Bostonian called Benjamin Franklin. I would like to talk with him. Why, would thee rather talk with me? Come, come, children, let's go in. This is an important occasion. There will be many words spoken today. Will they sit by me, Prudence? No, by me, if you would see better. We confident have first place here today. I'll sit between thee both, behind my father. The assembly of the province of Pennsylvania will please come to order. Ten years pass. The east and west wings of the state house are finished. And the tower with its courtly staircase is topped by a fine belfry. Isaac Norris, speaker of the assembly, ordered a bell of 2,000 pounds to be cast in England. When it was first rung, it cracked. Norris then ordered the metal improved and recast by Pass and Stowa, Philadelphia. In June 1753, a new bell is hoisted into place and a great crowd is gathered in front of the state house to hear whether a good bell can be cast in the colony. The bell is almost secure in place now. They say it weighs a ton. Is it true that this is the first great bell to be cast in the colony? Yes, Pass and Stowa the first to try it. Come, Prudence, this way, dear. But thee takes me further away from the tower. We can hear the bell better at a little distance. I hope Father can hear it. Oh, I'm sure he can. I remember years ago he said there'd be a tower and a bell some day. Oh, it makes him happy to know the state house is finished at last. Yes, it would have made him happier if you had married Coleman instead of me. Nay, John, he's pleased now he owns land here and comes to our meeting. Well, as our ironmaking friend Coleman says, our colony is truly a melting pot. Those are strange words friend Norris had cast on the bell. What were they? Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof. It's from the Bible, Leviticus 25, 10. Isaac Norris is a very pious man. Perhaps he thinks he's a prophet. Oh, they're making signals from the belfry. The bell must be in place. We have a good view from here. Look. We have a good view from here. Look. In that beautiful state house 23 years later, on July 8, 1776, the American colonies determined to maintain their right to self-government, declaring they are and have a right ought to be free and independent. Thus, one of America's first achievements in architecture and building stands today as the Shrine of American Independence. Americans are the greatest builders of modern time. The first use of steel frame construction is lost in argument of the past. We know the Tacoma Building in Chicago was one of the first. Another was a home insurance building in Chicago, finished in 1885. It was ten stories high at first. Then they added two more just to prove the soundness of the architect's calculations. But the most famous among the first tall buildings still stands on a triangular corner where Fifth Avenue, Broadway, and 23rd Street meet in what was once the crossroads of America. There in 1902, we find young Tommy Coleman. Extra, extra, all about Teddy Roosevelt using the big stick. Get your paper, Mr. Extra. I'm sorry. Here you are, sir. Thank you, sir. Extra, extra, all about the... Let me have the herald boy. Here you are, madam. Thank you. Extra, extra... Paper boy. Here you are, sir. Thank you. Extra, extra, get your paper, Mr. Extra. Paper boy. Oh, yes, a held a time. I'll take both. Oh, thank you, sir. You're just like Mr. Munsey. He always takes both. Munsey, a customer of yours? Yes, sir. His office is in this building. Windiest corner in New York. Well, it is windy here, all right. You bet it is. Everybody complains about it. Yes, I know. Why don't you take a more sheltered beat? Oh, I like it. I'd rather be right here than anywhere else in the world. Everybody goes by here. This place is famous. Oh, you think so? Think so? Say, mister, don't you know where you are? This is the Flatiron building. I thought it was called the Fuller building. Nobody around here calls it that anymore because it looks like a tall flatiron. 20 stories high. A regular skyscraper, ain't it? Why, yes, I guess it almost is. Almost? Say, mister, you ought to see the clouds rushing by on a stormy day. Then you'd know. You seem to like this crazy building. I do. I saw it go up. I sold papers to all the fellows that worked on it. Someday when I grow bigger, I'm going to build one myself. Oh, you want to be an architect? What, me? Stick indoors over a desk? No, sir, not me. I'm going to be a steelworker. If the steel gang's going to build things like this... By George, you're right. What's your name, son? Tommy Coleman. Do your people live near here? My folks used to live in Philadelphia. Only they don't live anywhere now. They're... I see. Well, we're from the same state. I'm from Lancaster, Pennsylvania myself. Oh, Pennsylvania does. That's right. But the big cities are the only ones that have skyscrapers. Yes, and we're planning lots of others. Gee, I wish I could get a job working near one of them. I'd like to see him go up. Well, maybe you can. Here's my card. Come see me at my office. I might help you get a job. Well, thanks. You bet I will, Mr. Dingleberg. That's right. Oh, you're an architect. Yes. You know much about skyscrapers? Not much yet, son. I've only worked on one tall one. But there's only the... Say, did you... Did you build a flat iron building? Well, I used to think so, but... Maybe now I'd better say I just planned it. You thought of it and figured it all out. Don't forget to look me up, Tommy. Thanks, Mr. Dingleberg. I won't forget. See, as if I... And he built this. Paper, boy. Oh, yes, sir. Thank you, sir. It's the paper. Get your paper right here on the windiest corner. As the years went on, young Tommy Coleman became a steelworker. Caught hot rivets in a bucket high above the sidewalks of New York. Until finally in 1930, we find him talking with his wife. Oh, Tom, I made you late. And you a gangbore. Well, that's all right, dear. My gang will be on the job, all right. Now you go on home and take it easy. But my job... Well, you telephone them, you can't come back. But I can't quit my job. Well, you've got to quit it, dear. The doctor said you couldn't work another day. Now no more talk. I'm late, darling. You will go home, won't you? Yes, Tom. If you'll feel better about it. Oh, I will feel better. The doctor says you're sick, Mary. You've got to take it easy. I hate to scare you, dear, but... Dear, I don't... I don't know how I'd get along without you. Is it as bad as that? Yeah. Gosh, how that building does grow. More than a story every day. What are they going to call it? The Empire State. It'll be tall as any of them, won't it? Oh, it'll be much taller. It'll be the tallest building in the world. And I'm helping to build it. Well, here's the hoist, dear. I've got to go up with the next load. Good luck, Tom. It'll be okay if you do, just as I tell you, darling. Go on home and take it easy. I will. Come on. Time for chow. Glory be. Have we got to go all the way down to the 46th floor for a cup of hot coffee? No, they've got a cafeteria now on the 64th. But we only put that up the day before yesterday. Well, keep your eye on it, buddy. Maybe Al Smith will have an office there by Monday. Remember when we ate in the first shack? The cafeteria, as the boss calls it. Way back on the third? Yeah, and how we thought we was getting somewhere when we got hot coffee and on the 21st? Yeah. And now look at that. It's a good place to eat. It's a good place to eat. It's a good place to eat. It's a good place to eat. It's a good place to eat. It's a good place to eat. It's a good place to eat. It's a good place to eat. It's a good place to eat. It's a good place to eat. It's a good place to eat. It's a good place to eat. It's a good place to eat. It's a good place to eat. It's a good place to eat. It's a good place to eat. It's a good place to eat. It's a good place to eat. It's a good place to eat. You mean I can go in there? Yes. Doctor, doctor. Yes? My wife, you, will she live? Of course she will. The operation was a success. In time, she should recover full health. Oh, say, that's great, isn't it? Thanks, doctor. Thank you. Excuse me. Look out, look out. Don't bump into that tray of instruments. Oh, I'm sorry. Perhaps you'd be interested to see the instrument that did the trick. This one. You mean that little knife? The thing that saved my wife? Yes. New technique, especially for this delicate operation. I see. Do you mind, can I see it? Certainly, but be careful. Yes. This little gadget. Look, Willie. Your gun is made of steel. Workers in steel, raising high against the stars, new temples for a newer and finer life. Brave, hardy men with a noble heritage. Builders of an empire in the sky. Builders of steel tools to cut our way into the secrets of the future. Builders of steel, we salute you, heroes of the American cavalcade. Those of you who have visited New York or have seen pictures of that great example of modern steel construction, the Empire State Building, know how nobly it stands gleaming against the sky. The shining metal used on the outside of the Empire State Building is stainless steel, an alloy of steel with a high amount of chromium in it. And one reason why it has such a smooth, mirror-like surface is that it was pickled after the steel was rolled into sheets. Now, most of us think of pickling as something connected with onions or cucumbers or pig feet. But the word has an important meaning in the iron and steel business, in fact, in all metal manufacturing. It describes the process by which metal objects are cleaned of the scale and rust that accumulates on their surfaces during the earlier stages of manufacture. This is important, not merely for the sake of appearance and to make it possible for the metal to take a finish, but especially to prevent corrosion and wear. Before the year 1800, when the chemistry of metallurgy was relatively undeveloped, fermented barley water was used for this cleaning purpose, and it took a long time. Then someone started to use acid. And today, various acids, sulfuric, muriatic, nitric, and hydrofluoric are used, each having its special place and use. Most iron and steel is pickled with sulfuric acid. The stainless steel we just spoke of is pickled with a mixture of these acids. Now, in a great skyscraper, all of the galvanized piping and conduits, all of the copper and brass, the iron stairways and the steam radiators, not to mention all of the metal furniture and the officers, have to be pickled before they're finished for use. Steel autobodies, which have to be smooth to take a fine finish, are another example of pickling. And I'm sure you've all seen suspension bridges, like the famous George Washington Bridge, with their great cables of wire rope. This wire rope is galvanized, too. And before it can be galvanized, it must undergo a pickling process. The acids I mentioned a short while ago are simply names to most people, but now we see how important they are to industry and to building. These acids are made by DuPont and supplied to industries the country over. The story of their usefulness serves as a good example of DuPont's phrase, better things for better living through chemistry. Now we have a special message for school teachers. So many teachers of history and English and dramatics, as well as principals of schools, have written out about the interest they and their pupils take in the cavalcade of America and how helpful the programs are in connection with classwork in these subjects, that we shall call attention from time to time to forthcoming broadcast. Next week's program, entitled Speed of Words, deals with the progress of communication from the days of Clipperships and the Pony Express to the present day of radio. We urge teachers to recommend it to the students. Next week, at this same time, the cavalcade of America, presented by DuPont. This is the Columbia Broadcasting Thursday. A news bulletin from the press radio bureau in New York. The borough of the Bronx and sections of upper Manhattan are without light as a result of a fire in an uptown electric powerhouse early this evening. Service has been restored in the Bronx and some sections of Manhattan. When the service stopped, streetlights went out and industrial plants within the area were idle. Service on the independent subway system as far south as Columbus Circle was halted. This news is from the press radio bureau. Further details will be found in your newspaper. WABC New York.
