This slide features two boys standing by a fence watching the smoldering remains of the GM Transmission Assembly Plant in Livonia, Michigan in 1953. 

"Located in suburban Detroit, the new Livonia plant was recognized as one of the most advanced manufacturing and assembly operations in the world. It had the capacity, tooling and expertise in building planetary gear transmissions to fulfill market expectations for the boom times ahead. On August 12th, 1953, errant sparks from a welder’s tool touched off a firestorm that reduced the operation and its 3,318 machines to grotesque piles of twisted metal and charred bricks strewn across 34 acres of smoldering wreckage. At $50 million (almost $500 million in today’s dollars) it was—and still is—the most destructive industrial fire in American history.

Livonia was the sole source of Hydra-Matics, turning out 4,000 per day. It had produced its 4 millionth unit prior to the conflagration. Ninety percent of Oldsmobiles were equipped with the transmission, as were 85 percent of Pontiacs and all Cadillacs and Lincolns. The transmissions were also installed in some 50 percent of Hudson, Kaiser and Nash vehicles. There were no customer backlogs; Hydra-Matics went into vehicles as soon as they were received.

As a result of the fire, GM furloughed 26,000 employees, placed thousands more on reduced hours, and slashed new car production by 100,000 units."

CONDITION:

•The slides are in good condition, with minimal age-related wear as pictured. 

DETAILS

•Approximate Dimensions: Each slide is about 2 inches by 2 inches

•Slide Mount: Cardboard

•Total number of pieces included with this item: 1

•Date: August 12th, 1953

•SKU: 0227

SHIPPING

•This item will be carefully packaged in a paper envelope within a waterproof enclosure and cardboard backing. 

•Shipped within 1-2 business days.

•Shipped from a smoke free environment.

If you have any questions about this item or want more details/pictures, please let us know. Please be sure to thoroughly inspect listing pictures for any flaws or imperfections prior to purchase.