"Mechanical Drafting"

DESCRIPTION:

Two NYA trainees demonstrate machine drafting in this promotional photograph. These "arsenal technical" skills were deemed essential by the government for war production, and graduates of NYA work experience programs were often hired directly into factories producing wartime goods. The number preceding the caption is likely to indicate this slide's place in a presentation format.

 

CAPTION:

"16. LEARNING MECHANICAL DRAFTING."

 

DATE:

1939-1943.

 

SUBJECTS:

Unknown.

 

CONTEXT:

Founded as one of many New Deal programs designed to alleviate joblessness at the height of the Great Depression, the National Youth Administration established job training and "work experience" programs across the country from 1935 to 1943. Utilizing several nonessential buildings at the Naval Ordnance Plant from 1939 to 1943, the South Charleston program quickly became one of the largest in the country, topping out at roughly 700 youth in 1941-42. While its early stages only included white males aged 17-24, the program later expanded to include female youth and African-Americans.

 

SOURCE:

National Archives, RG 119-LS

 

CREATOR/ORIGIN:

Unknown/National Youth Administration

 

MEDIUM: Lantern slide, B&W

 

COPYRIGHT:

None known.

 

DID#: LS-119-s_16

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