14 April 2018


Planet Jr. Factory
In 1955



The short video above provides a rare look into the old S.L. Allen factory in Philadelphia, which I mentioned (and showed a photo of) in Yesterday's Blog Post. It shows not only Flexible Flyer sleds being made, but Planet Jr. planters, and walk-behind tractors too. The company even made snow skis.

The film provides a historical glimpse into a bygone era. America was once a country full of people who made things and, for the most part, made things to last (planned obsolescence was surely not something that S.L. Allen believed in). 

I think that hands-on work-making-things is the next best thing to hands-on-work-growing-things. 

But now, most Americans don't grow or make much of anything with their hands. They sit at cubicles and "work" on keyboards. Or they push buttons on machines and watch the machines do the work that humans once had more of a hand in doing.

The bottom line is that we all do what we have to do to provide for ourselves and our families in the techno-culture we live in. But there is surely a richness and satisfaction in life that comes with hand-work, and creativity outside of the modern paradigm.

If we can't find this satisfaction in our daily livelihood, we can at least pursue it at home, on our own time. 

But the culture we live in seeks to dominate and consume our spare time with an endless stream of entertainment, amusements, and techno-gadgetry. Such things are a cheap substitute for actually doing something constructive and creative.

I hope I'm wrong, but I sense that many of the younger generation today are missing out on this important aspect of life.

Probably every older generation going back to the earliest days of the industrial revolution have thought and said the same thing of the younger generation.




4 comments:

  1. Very interesting and your insight is true.

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  2. Exactly right and the main point of the video was diversification in manufactoring led to stability year round. Very true in small farming; you better not put all your eggs in one basket. Great to see you back on this blog, Henrick, as it was my favorite to begin with!

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  3. Here is one of the younger generation who fully appreciates the value of physical work, good craftsmanship, and creativity! However, I do agree that many today do not, sadly.

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  4. Elizabeth L. Johnson said, Hand-work means slowing down, eventually making personal service and relationships so valuable. The enemy only wants to divide. . . people from people, and people from their God. The Blessings come when we love our fellow man, and trust the Lord. Every time I bring up the need to stay connected to the land, on an individual basis, excuses start flowing. Our society is way off-track. This video was great! Thanks, Herrick.

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