The Transportation Revolution: Beta Cloth

Authors

Colin Prancl, Providence College

Subject Area

History; Motion pictures

Description

During the 20^th century, the Blackstone River Valley, the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, could be considered a graveyard of former mills. As manufacturing moved elsewhere and the automobile led to the decline of the Rhode Island system of manufacturing, many mills in the Blackstone River Valley shut down. The Ashton Mill in Cumberland, Rhode Island was one of the few exceptions as it produced beta cloth, a crucial material in helping the United States land American astronauts on the moon. This video takes viewers along the journey of how revitalization of the Ashton Mill by the Owens-Corning Fiberglass Company helped NASA produce a lightweight, fire-resistant material to be used in spacesuits, capsules, and other accessories throughout the Apollo space missions. The production of beta cloth at Ashton Mill not only reveals a fascinating piece of local history, but also shows the importance of that small local history towards national success of the United States.

Publisher

Providence College

Academic Year

2023-2024

Date

Spring 3-7-2024

Type

Video

Language

English