Stereograph

One stereograph slide that shows a view of the "Assembling Room" in an unidentified Detroit auto factory. The slide consists of two sepia-toned photographic images that are mounted side by side on a rectangular sheet of gray cardboard. The view looks across two rows of partially-assembled car chassis that are resting on the floor on either side of an aisle in a large factory building. Rail-mounted gantry cranes are attached to overhead structural steel beams and can be seen above each row of car chassis.

Black printed text on the edges of the stereograph card reads "Keystone View Company, Copyrighted, Manufacturers, Publishers, Made in US.A.," and "150" as well as "22141 - Assembling Room - Chassis Ready for Engines - Automobile Plant, Detroit, Mich." Additional printed text reads "Meadville, Pa., New York, N.Y., Portland, Oregon, London, Eng., Sydney, Aus."

Black printed text on the verso reads "150- (22141), Automobile Manufacture, Michigan. Lat. 42° N, Long. 83° W. This is the interior of a great automobile factory. Row after row of chassis are here to be seen. On the left hand, differentials and rear axles are being assembled. When this assembling is done, the chassis are equipped with the motors and the machine is set running while the wheels are off the floor. Then each chassis is equipped with the tester's seat and is given a trial drive before the body is put in place. Not every automobile factory makes all its parts. In some plants, these parts are merely assembled. That is, the ball bearings may be made in Philadelphia, the steel frame work in Pittsburgh, the tires in Akron, and so on. Each of these special factories may supply a number of automobile manufactories with its specialty, made according to certain specifications. The automobile factory puts these together, and so turns out a finished car. Our output of these machines is increasing rapidly. In 1916, we made about 70% more than in 1915. In 1915, we produced 75% more than the year before. Most of our importations of rubber are for automobile tires. In 1915, we shipped into this country $159,000,000 worth of rubber. Gasoline by millions of gallons is needed to furnish motive power. Our whole industrial development had been changed by the automobile. Motor trucks haul grain and livestock to market. They transport great loads of raw materials and finished goods in our cities. Traffic on our city streets has been completely changed. It moves far more swiftly than previously. Farmers are no longer several hours' travel from cities. Distance has been shortened, and time gained by the introduction of this modern machine."