Salt of the Earth: Traditional Chinese Salt Production in the 1930s (silent)

This 1930s depiction of the Chinese countryside intricately explores the traditional methods of salt production, blending ancient techniques with rudimentary industrial practices. Opening with a sprawling village surrounded by docks and boats, the scene transitions to bustling salt wells and factories emitting smoke. Workers hammer large drill bits, manually operate levers, and guide oxen to power mechanical wheels atop drilling towers.

The film highlights the meticulous construction of bamboo pipelines, sealed with clay, mud, and jute, used to transport brine from wells to elevated processing towers. Automated systems carry brine into iron basins heated by natural gas flames. Soybean juice is added during the boiling process, with workers skimming impurities to produce purified salt.

The narrative concludes with salt being packed into bags and loaded onto horses, carts, and boats for distribution. Freight boats navigate rivers, showcasing the expansive trade network. This vivid portrayal captures the ingenuity and labor-intensive processes that fueled a vital industry in pre-modern China.
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