Mechanical Principles

Mechanical Principles (1930)

Close up we see pistons move up and down or side to side. Pendulums sway, the small parts of machinery move. Gears drive larger wheels. Gears within gears spin. Shafts turn some mechanism that is out of sight. Screws revolve and move other gears; a bit rotates. More subtle mechanisms move other mechanical parts for unknown purposes. Weights rise and fall. The movements, underscored by sound, are rhythmic. Circles, squares, rods, and teeth are in constant and sometimes asymmetrical motion. These human-made mechanical bits seem benign and reassuring.

Date of release
1930-02-05
TMDB
6.8 / 10 (22)
Runtime
11m
Genres
Documentary
Director
Ralph Steiner

Interesting facts

Mechanical Principles is a 1930 experimental short film directed by Ralph Steiner.

Production

The film was shot partly at the Chicago Museum of Science.

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