The Wheelwright - Craftsmen Part 1 | Shell Historical Film Archive

Mr Tedham, a Sussex wheelwright, demonstrates the traditional method of making a cart-wheel. This was the method used to fashion wheels for carts and coaches, gigs and wagons for hundreds of years. It depends on a combination of skilled craftsmanship with a thorough knowledge of local conditions.
Part of a series of seven short films (1934-1951) made to record the traditional ways of working of old crafts, many of which are fast dying out.
For more information about Shell’s Historic Film Archive please contact: [e-mail]
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Shell’s surprising and captivating Historic Film Archive dates from 1934 and covers a rich mix of topics from technology, science and engineering to craftsmanship, motorsport and travelogue.
The Shell Film Unit, responsible for the content, was a highly celebrated part of Britain’s Documentary Movement. Key figures from that movement were involved, including: Jack Beddington, Edgar Anstey, Arthur Elton, John Grierson, Kay Mander, Stuart Legg and Douglas Gordon.
Its films were wide reaching, often screened in cinemas and through the non-theatric film distribution circuit, which brought film to educational establishments and organisations across the UK. While many films covered technological themes related to Shell’s activities, others were entirely unrelated and served purely to educate the general public.
As Shell innovated in technologies that would provide oil and gas products for the world, the Shell Film Unit also innovated in the technological advancement of film, incorporating graphics and different forms of animation as early as the 1930s.
During WW2 the Shell Film Unit was co-opted into war effort, making films for the Ministry of Information’s film division. Its prowess in technological documentary suited the MoI’s need for technical training films.
While the name and the medium has changed many times over the years, the documentary tradition lives on at Shell. Its contemporary film team is part of Shell’s multi-disciplinary in-house agency, Creative Solutions. It continues making award-winning factual content that informs and educates the public, now usually released on social media platforms.

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If you enjoyed this video, please check out the full 'Shell Film Unit - Historic Archive' playlist, where you'll find lots more gems!
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[@2639263926392639]

You can bet that's significantly harder to do than he makes it look. Always intrtesting to see the tools of bygone processes too. A spoke dog makes so much sense, but who would ever guess its function nowadays. Thanks for uploading.

[@mohdfahmi8841]

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[@althejazzman]

Incredible little documentary from a lost moment in time. Interesting how an old Sussex accent sounds more West Country to modern ears.

[@user-lt7ne9mv9b]

It also sounds East coast American.

[@megapangolin1093]

Amazing craftsmanship and all of that expertise has now vanished, with one or two rare exceptions. Amazing to have made hundreds in his time. Truly impressive. Thank you.

[@marcostovar7968]

Real craftsmen

[@moparmusts]

I'll never look at a wagon wheel the same again!!!