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1. Journey to the center of a triangle (08:57)

Date:
1976
Main contributors:
Bruce Cornwell, Katharine Cornwell
Summary:
Animation and a musical background are used to locate incenters, circumcenters, centroids, and orthocenters in a number of triangles. The film was created on the Tektronics 4051 Graphics Terminal.

2. Development of our decimal numeration system (27:26)

Date:
1965
Main contributors:
Joseph Moray, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, John M. Davidson, Richard Gilbert, Arthur M. Kaye, Shirley Tebbe, Francesca Greene, Peter Smith, Carole Eickhoff, Davidson Films
Summary:
Delineates interesting facets of the development of our decimal system. Compares the additive, subtractive, multiplicative, and positional notation aspects of the Chinese, Babylonian, Egyptian, and Hindu-Arabic systems. Uses models to explain concepts which lead to greater understanding of base 10 systems. This film traces the historical development of our present decimal system--the Hindu-Arabic system of numeration. The meaning and importance of base ten, place value, grouping, numerals, and expanded notation are carefully described.

3. The department of health, education and welfare (14:36)

Date:
1963
Main contributors:
Erling M. Hunt, Wade Arnold, Abraham Ribicoff, Center for Mass Communication, Columbia University Press
Summary:
Discusses the purposes and functions of the five major divisions within the department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Describes the several offices, agencies, and bureaus, and indicates how these deal with foods, drugs, social security, vocational rehabilitation, and education. Emphasizes that the major concern of the department is to benefit individuals in their living. Narrated by Abraham Ribicoff, a former secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

4. The dynamics of the circle (14:20)

Date:
1963
Main contributors:
Mannis Charosh, Pelican Films
Summary:
Describes a geometric circle and defines and illustrates such terms as radius, congruent circles, chord, diameter, major and minor arcs, semicircles, and central angle. Shows the relationship between a central angle and its arc; presents methods for proving arcs equal in degrees and length; and describes the relationships of a diameter, a chord, and its intersected arcs.

6. Dynamics of solution (14:57)

Date:
1962
Main contributors:
Ellis Katzman, Elbert C. Weaver, John A. Skarulis, William H. Pasfield, Ross Lowell, Herman J. Engel, Robert Braverman, Peter Robinson, Geraldine Lerner, Max J. Rosenberg, Fisher Scientific Company
Summary:
Demonstrates the differences between saturated, unsaturated, and supersaturated solutions; that solutions are dynamic, not static in character; and also shows suspensions and colloidal dispersions. Presents characteristics of solutions and explains insolubility, solutions without chemical reactions, mixtures, suspensions, and the Tyndall effect in colloidal dispersions.

7. The dairy belt (1:07:31)

Date:
1962
Main contributors:
Thomas F. Barton, Daisy M. Jones, Roger Niemeyer, James W. Taylor, Indiana University Audio-Visual Center
Summary:
Compares two dairy farms--one in Southeastern Wisconsin and the other in Central New York State. Shows the land use and cultural practices which reflect adaptation to such elements of the physical environment as topography, soil, precipitation, temperature, and length of growing season. Describes such man-made conditions that influence the marketing of milk as the proximity of farms to urban areas, sanitation requirements, and transportation and refrigeration facilities.

8. Durer and the Renaissance (13:55)

Date:
1961
Main contributors:
Beatrice Farwell, Paul Falkenberg
Summary:
Discusses the life of Durer and the pivotal point he represented in connecting the artistic development of Italy and Northern Europe. Presents examples of his work that show his passage from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Develops the idea that through a study of his work the fusing of his Gothic inheritance and the organic Renaissance can be observed.

9. Dance : a reflection of our times (29:37)

Date:
1960
Summary:
Discusses the use of the dance as a social commentary and relates it to the critical statements of artists in other fields. Presents a performance of "Caprichos" based on Goya's etchings of man's weaknesses. In contrast, an excerpt from Paeon is performed. Features choreographer Herbert Ross and his troupe.

10. Collision stations (29:45)

Date:
1959
Summary:
What happens when a rocket ship in space is struck and damaged by a meteor? Capt. Gell, a Navy expert on crew equipment, demonstrates the Navy’s full-pressure space suit for emergency escape from a shattered craft. Dr. Haber, an aerodynamic engineer who has made a thorough study of the theoretical problems of escape and survival far out in pace, explains the difficulty of making an individual descent into the atmosphere, on one hand, and of rescuing the stranded flyer in space, on the other. Dr. Herbert’s recommendation: the crew should ride the damaged vehicle back to earth --if anything remains of it.

11. Developmental genetics - I: a lecture by Dr. L. C. Dunn (29:40)

Date:
1959
Summary:
Portrays the role of developmental genetics in dealing with ways phenotypes come into being through the action of genes. Presents a complete discussion of the Creeper domestic fowl--its genetic basis, morphology, embryological history, and the experimental work that led to an understanding of how this gene affects early development to produce the morphological features seen as the outcome of the developmental process. Lecture given by Dr. L. C. Dunn.

12. Developmental genetics - II: a lecture by Dr. L. C. Dunn Columbia University (29:41)

Date:
1959
Summary:
Describes the ways in which genes produce phenotypic differences by acting very early in embryonic development. Shows that this action may take place at a distance through chemical messengers (pituitary dwarfism in the house mouse, lethal giant larva in Drosophila), or it may involve tissue induction systems (Brachyury and taillessness in the house mouse). Discusses the development of eye color in Drosophila as a model of how each of the steps in a chain of chemical processes leading to development is under genic control. Lecture given by Dr. L. C. Dunn.

13. DNA structure and replication (29:15)

Date:
1959
Main contributors:
University Films, J. D. Watson, Irwin H. Herskowitz
Summary:
Describes RNA and DNA which are favored as the carriers of genetic information. Presents DNA molecules as shown in the electron microscope and describes the polymeric nature of the DNA molecule and DNA nucleotides. Compares the base content of DNA from various organisms. Describes in detail the three-dimensional organization of DNA as revealed through X-ray diffraction experiments. Pictures a Watson-Crick double helix model of DNA which suggests that DNA may replicate by the two complementary chains separating with each single strand then acting as a template to form its complement. Lecture given by Dr. J. D. Watson.

14. Volumes of cubes, prisms, and cylinders (18:42)

Date:
1958
Main contributors:
Delta Films, E. H. C. Hildebrandt, Robert Pruitt, Evelyn P. Anderson, Seymour Zolotareff
Summary:
Uses examples of everyday objects to develop the basic formula V=Bh for computing the volumes of cubes, prisms, and cylinders. Builds each concept, formula, or definition through use of live action, animation, and application to a situation.

15. Volumes of pyramids, cones, and spheres (17:12)

Date:
1958
Main contributors:
Falcon Films, E. H. C. Hildebrandt, Robert Pruitt, David Wisner, Evelyn P. Anderson, Seymour Zolotareff, Delta Films
Summary:
Uses a combination of animation and live-action photography to logically develop the formulas for determining the volume of pyramids, cones, and spheres. After reviewing the formulas for the volumes of prisms and cylinders, the volume of a pyramid with a rectangular base is determined. This is then related to pyramids with non-rectangular bases and cones, the volume of the latter being compared to a cylinder. Defines a sphere and portrays a method of determining its volume. Concludes with commercial and industrial applications of these formulas.

16. Water : sculptor of the land (29:25)

Date:
1958
Summary:
Wind, heat, cold, and rain combine to weather the rocks and break them down. But the face of our earth is molded and the decayed rock carried away from one place and deposited in another mainly by water. The deposits laid down by water, wind, or ice produce after long periods of time and under pressure, rocks which are classed as sedimentary. You will see and learn how to distinguish some of the common sedimentary rocks; limestone, sandstone, shale, and conglomerate. Each of these sedimentary rocks is formed in a different way; limestone by chemical precipitations, sandstone by grains of sand cemented together, shale from beds of mud or clay pressed and cemented into thin layers, and conglomerate is made of gravel or pebbles of assorted sizes cemented together. You will be introduced to one of the most interesting features of sedimentary rocks -their fossils. These records of living things are guides to the history of life on the earth.

17. Mystery mammals of twilight (30:28)

Date:
1957
Summary:
Tells the life story of bats. Shows live bats and pictures a bat's voice of and oscillograph. Explains how bats navigate by echolocation or sonar. (WGBH-TV) Kinescope.

18. Plant and animal partnerships (29:48)

Date:
1957
Summary:
There are many partnerships in nature where two plants may help each other, or a plant and animal may mutually benefit one another, or where two animals may contribute to each other’s welfare. You will see on this program an example of each. The lichen, a common plant, looks like one individual, but really consists of two kinds of plants living together. You will see this story through the microscope. And you will see the story of cross-pollination, in which bees and insects take nectar from the flowers and in so doing transfer pollen from one flower to another. Ever look inside a wood eating termite? You will and with a microscope to see a story of mutual benefit. Inside the termite lives a host of one-celled animals which assist the termite in digesting the cellulose in the wood he consumes. (WGBH-TV) Kinescope.

19. Defining primitivism (29:26)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Expands the popular definition of "primitive"--one who is self-taught--to include artists who reject academic or conventional expression, subject matter, or technique. Shows and discusses various examples of primitive art. (WQED) Kinescope.

20. Discovery Of A Landscape-English Lakes (30:55)

Date:
1956
Summary:
Shows through readings, paintings, and natural photography the development of the portrayal of English lakes and landscapes by painters, poets, and others. Depicts the printing of illustrated tour guides and other books to create interest in the English lake country. (BBC) Film.