Archives Center, National Museum of American History

National Zoo Training Films Collection, 1968-1981

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0685
Creators:
National Zoological Park (U.S.)
Dates:
1968-1981
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
15 Items
15 films
16 mm
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
Fifteen 16mm composite optical track sound films of varying length, all in color except for two. The films were acquired by the National Zoo and presumably used as training films exhorting employees to practice safe work habits and avoid accidents. Each film provides full credits and the distributors and producers are listed.
Scope and Contents
The collection includes 15 16mm composite optical track sound films of varying length. The films are mostly color, with the exception of two black/white films. The collection consists of one series.

Arrangement

Arrangement
1 series.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
This collection of safety films comes from the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington D.C. Presumably these films were acquired during the 1970s and shown to employees at the Zoo as a means of instilling safe practices within the workplace. Their specific history and background is unknown. However, each film provides full credits and the distributors and producers are listed.
The training film serves the purpose of educating employees, reflecting the interests of the corporation, and encouraging safe practices within the workplace. A subgenre of training films, is a category dealing solely with safety issues. The safety film is supposed to promote safe living and the elimination of harmful or dangerous working conditions. Originally made by corporations such as auto-manufacturers, railroad companies, and insurance businesses, these films tend to communicate the interests of the corporation versus that of the employee. Frequently, these films tend to place the blame on the victim, shifting any responsibility for accidents away from management and onto the worker. As a result the safety film focuses more on the accidents that occur than the actual safety issues. Often the film presents a melodramatic story of an employee's tragic accident, and selectively illustrates the pain and suffering undergone in the workplace.

Administration

Author
Brandy E Hughes
Ownership and Custodial History
Transferred by the National Zoo to the Archives Center in 1999.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection of safety films was transferred to the Archives Center by the Smithsonian National Zoo. No records of the transfer exist.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Brandy E. Hughes, August 2002.

Using the Collection

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Restrictions on Access
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Preferred Citation
National Zoo Training Films Collection, 1968-1981, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Motion pictures (visual works) Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Industrial safety Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Training Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Training films Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu