View over 1800 ephemeral films from Prelinger Archives.

Originally made for use in advertising, education, social guidance, and corporate training, the films offer a vibrant look at 20th century American cultural history. Unlike Hollywood movies, ephemeral films were made at a specific time for a specific purpose—often sponsored by corporations or government agencies.

Explore with Linger and discover how the American rural and urban landscape has changed over generations. These films chronicle the transformations of our social values, and show more than just "how we lived". Many of these films were themselves intended to change social norms by presenting modern aspirations for living in the post World War II era.

Discover related films organized by subject, date, sponsor, or producer.

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