Thursday, September 3, 2009

The Jam Handy Group

The video I posted below called Around the Corner was produced by Jam Handy, a pioneer in industrial training films.

Jam Handy (that was his real name) was an Olympic swimmer and journalist who decided to make a living in early corporate film production. Because he lived in Detroit (not Hollywood) he produced hundreds of films for GM.

He also made a huge contribution to the war effort. For example, if you ever need to know how to fly a World War II P-47 fighter plane, Jam Handy filmed a whole training series.

I did not know the P-47 housed its turbocharger abaft the pilot. I guess turbo lag was not an issue for the 2,700 rpm, 18-cylinder radial in a P-47.

Much more about Jam Handy here.