LIFE Archive | Electric Boat

posted by Michael Williams

Another great LIFE archive find are these color shots from Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut during the 1940s. Electric boat is the premier submarine manufacturer in the U.S., possibly in the world. My grandfather worked for General Dynamics (who owns Electric Boat) in sixties overseeing the construction of nuclear missile installations all over the country. Eventually, the family settled in the Groton area after he moved to the Electric Boat division. My father was stationed at the New London naval submarine base, which is how my parents met. Long story short, that is my connection to these images – not considering the work wear quality of the photos. You really have to hand it to the women of the era, they stepped up in a major way. This first shot below – the woman with the Acetylene torch –is a really powerful image.

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Comments on “LIFE Archive | Electric Boat”

    mlo on December 31, 2008 11:17 AM:

    Love the faded buffalo check shirt in the first photo. I would have liked to see more full-body shots though, so we can look at what kinds of shoes everyone is wearing.

    Tyler "Fort Worth" on December 31, 2008 11:49 AM:

    I agree with MLO, the shirt in the first photo is absolutely amazing, hurry, where can I buy it?

    Why does work look so damn fun and enjoyable back then?

    JP on January 1, 2009 10:22 AM:

    Woman? That looks more like a girl! Crimmany, that flame is bigger than she is!

    You’re blog continues to be amazing.

    I also have to thank you. You have inspired me to start my own blog-

    http://theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com/

    The last thing I want is for it to become a derivative men’s fashion blog. So, I will hone my focus and hopefully it will have a POV that can be appreciated.

    Happy New Year-

    JP

    moot on January 2, 2009 5:48 PM:

    Dang, keep posting more. Whenever I go to look through the archive I never find shit this cool.

    matt on January 3, 2009 3:12 PM:

    Nice photo. Probably staged, though.

    I can’t find anything this cool when I search either.

    Michael Williams on January 3, 2009 3:13 PM:

    I think most of these LIFE photos are staged…

    ACL

    Katlin on January 4, 2009 2:36 AM:

    Interesting pics and the thoughts it brings up! There is so much to be found in their archives, if I’m bored I just search random words, which leads me to more great photography.

    jbird on January 5, 2009 12:44 PM:

    If I’m not mistaken, these women were considered “Rosie the Rivetors”. My grandmother, Lillie Bell Meadows, was a welder in the shipyards of Mobile AL. You’ve inspired me to look for some photos of her that capture this patriotic moment in her life.

    love on October 16, 2009 3:01 PM:

    bless this post with love,peace,respect and success.

    just let love be

Comments are closed.