Film Research: Engstfeld Filmproduktion

In need of historic film footage relating to the early development of international telecommunications, the German documentary company Engstfeld Filmproduktion turned to HAI's International Division for help. The client supplied HAI with a "wish list" of images and footage they hoped would illustrate key aspects of the story of how the international telegraph network was constructed during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

HAI conducted a survey of image collections around the world and targeted several from among the US National Archives' extensive holdings of early motion pictures. HAI identified footage showing the construction of telegraph systems in a variety of natural settings as well as more general background images. HAI then provided copies of sample material to the client, who directed HAI to make specific acquisitions and was able to cross some important items off the wish list. Most importantly, since these records were in the public domain, HAI was able to collect the needed footage at a substantially reduced cost compared to similar footage held by stock film companies.