Valley Town - A Study of Machines and Men

"Valley Town - A Study of Machines and Men" is a documentary that examines the impact of industrial automation on workers in a typical American steel town during the 1920s and 1930s. Directed by Willard Van Dyke, the film traces the town's history, illustrating how its development and the lives of its residents were deeply intertwined with the fortunes of the local steel mill. It portrays the prosperity brought by the mill and the subsequent hardship when labor-saving machinery displaced workers, rendering many obsolete. The documentary highlights the human cost of technological progress, showing how automation led to unemployment and economic stagnation. Yet, it also notes how World War II's demand for manpower reversed this trend, revealing a shortage of adequately trained workers for the mill's needs. The film concludes by advocating for continuous adult education to adapt to changing industrial landscapes, offering a poignant reflection on the relationship between technology, labor, and society.