America's Industrial and Urban Photography

Library of Congress "American Memory" project contains a significant amount of Pre-War photography. Usually seen only in the movies and in the pulp fiction illustrations, this time period is gloriously reflected in genuine shots of real people and life situations, done in color and with exceptional clarity. The following are some of my favorites:
(click to enlarge)



Pennsylvania R.R. (railroad) ore docks, unloading ore from a lake freighter by means of "Hewlett" [i.e. "Hulett"] unloaders, Cleveland, Ohio






The Monstrous Ore-Loading Machine:
(click to enlarge to see the miniature humans)



Chicago Skyline
- bears an uncanny resemblance to Gotham City.



Chicago Skyline as seen from the railroad:



















Various ladies and gentlemen, involved in the war effort.
(Sky Captain is obviously one of them)