Economics Zoom-In

Look carefully at the primary source clues. Determine what you see and what questions you might ask to get

the “big picture.”

What can primary source documents tell us about

economics?

What do you see?

Where might this photo have been taken?

What new information do you have about this photo?

What do you think these people are doing?

When do you think this photo was taken? What clues in the photo support your hypothesis?

What kind of resources are being used?

Are these workers providing services or producing goods?

Is everyone doing the same job?

What economics terms does this photo demonstrate?

Conversion. Floor waxer plant. These bench operators of a small Eastern floor-waxing equipment company are working on defense production, all but the worker at left. He's completing assembly of one of the few waxing machines left in the factory. Floorola Products Inc., York, Pennsylvania.

Does the title of this photo suggest additional economics terms?

Conversion. Floor waxer plant. These bench operators of a small Eastern floor-waxing equipment company are working on defense production, all but the worker at left. He's completing assembly of one of the few waxing machines left in the factory. Floorola Products Inc., York, Pennsylvania.

How does this show:•Supply and demand•Economic Choice•Opportunity Cost

Why are these men working?What will happen to the price of floor waxers if fewer are being produced?

Hollem, Howard R., photographer. 1942 Feb.

America from the Great Depression to World War II: Photographs from the FSA-OWI, 1935-1945

Library of Congress

What can primary source documents tell us about

economics?

What economics terms do these photos suggest to you?

Unknown. (1915). [People making teddy bears in factory]. Library of Congress: Prints & Photographs, George Grantham Bain Collection

Palmer, A. T. (1941). Halftrac scout cars. When the American assembly line gets down to business, things gets done and done well. The assembling of engines for the Army's new halftrac scout cars is a job well done and understood by the trained men of a large Ohio truck plant. White Motor Company, Cleveland, Ohio. Library of Congress: Prints & Photographs

      

 

Hollem, H. R. (1942). Conversion. Floor waxer plant. These bench operators of a small Eastern floor-waxing equipment company are working on defense production, all but the worker at left. He's completing assembly of one of the few waxing machines left in the factory. Floorola Products Inc., York, Pennsylvania. Library of Congress: American Memory, America from the Great Depression to World War II: Photographs from the FSA and OWI, ca. 1935-1945.

      

 

Palmer, A. T. (1941). Halftrac scout cars. When the American assembly line gets down to business, things gets done and done well. The assembling of engines for the Army's new halftrac scout cars is a job well done and understood by the trained men of a large Ohio truck plant. White Motor Company, Cleveland, Ohio. Library of Congress: Prints & Photographs.

      

 

Unknown. (1915). [People making teddy bears in factory]. Library of Congress: Prints & Photographs, George Grantham Bain Collection.