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By the seat of his pants [documentary film about William P. Lear]
Documentary film about William P. Lear, produced and directed by Carol Schreder, narrated by Lloyd Bridges, released by the American Film Institute, copyright 1974. The film presents a biographical account of Lear's life and career and his then-current work on a steam-powered engine. The opening segment depicts Lear supervising work on the steam engine combustor at the Lear Motors factory in Reno,…
[Film footage of Lear Motors steam-powered bus demonstration]
Film footage of a Lear Motors steam-powered bus demonstration at the Leareno Stead facility, Nevada, circa 1970s. The footage opens with shots of the bus driving in snowy conditions. Next, several passengers, including William P. and Moya O. Lear, are shown disembarking from the bus and talking amongst themselves outside a Lear hangar; several aircraft are visible in the background during these…
[Film footage of Lear Motors steam-powered bus demonstration]
Film footage of Lear Motors steam-powered bus demonstrations at the Leareno Stead facility, Nevada, circa 1970s. The first segment of the film depicts the bus operating in snowy conditions. The bus is shown driving on snowy roads, followed by scenes of the passengers, including William P. and Moya O. Lear, disembarking and talking amongst themselves outside a Lear hangar; several aircraft are…
[Film footage of William P. Lear receiving honorary degree at University of Notre Dame]
Film footage of William P. Lear receiving an honorary degree at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, April 1974. The footage opens with several unidentified people at an airfield, possibly Reno Stead Airport, Nevada, and boarding an aircraft. This is followed by scenes at a Trans World Airlines terminal at an unidentified airport. At 00:01:28, the United Airlines Boeing 737-200 "Friend Ship"…
[Film footage of Lear Motors steam-powered bus demonstrations and speeches]
Film footage of Lear Motors steam-powered bus demonstrations and speeches, recorded at the Leareno Stead facility, Nevada, circa 1970s. The first segment of the film features the bus on display near a Lear hangar. The footage is silent until 00:00:28, when audio clips from an interview between William P. Lear and Dave Brown of Channel 10 begin to play. Lear comments on the features and utility of…
Steambus! [film]
Informational film about steam buses, directed by Peter Adair and Pat Jackson, produced by Irving Saraf and KQED News, narrated by Scott Beach, copyright 1972. Created on behalf of the California Steam Bus Project, the film describes the development and implementation of three steam buses created by William M. Brobeck and Associates, the Lear Motors Corporation, and Steam Power Systems. The film…
...And On Beyond [Lear, Incorporated promotional film]
Promotional film for Lear, Incorporated, produced by Norman Wright Productions (Hollywood, California) and narrated by Bob Cummings, circa 1960s. The footage opens with a dramatization of an astronaut piloting a futuristic spacecraft on a deep-space mission. Cummings then describes Lear's collaborative work with the U.S. Air Force on the Advanced Instrumentation Development Program (AIDP), which…
[Film footage of Learstar and Lockheed L-1888 Electra]
Film footage of a Learstar (registration number N16L) and Lockheed L-1888 Electra, circa 1950s. The footage opens with the Learstar being towed into a hangar and William P. Lear boarding the airplane. The next several scenes feature Lear and an unidentified woman in the Learstar's cabin. They demonstrate the aircraft's amenities, such as adjustable seats, fold-out tables, onboard telephone,…
Mr. Bill Lear and Mr. Tony Fox discuss corporate aircraft of the future [film footage]
Film footage of a segment titled "Mr. Bill Lear and Mr. Tony Fox discuss corporate aircraft of the future," comprised of an informal conversation between businessmen Fox and Lear, circa 1970s. Lear, the primary speaker, comments on the lack of fuel efficiency in private jets and the growing need for more economically-designed corporate aircraft. He also compliments Fox on his development of the…
[Molt Taylor and Aerocar I, circa 1968]
Film footage of Molt Taylor and the Aerocar I, circa 1968. The first segment depicts Taylor and others on a rocky shoreline at Cape Disappointment, Washington; the Cape Disappointment lighthouse is visible in some shots. The footage then transitions to an unidentified airfield, where Taylor is shown with the Aerocar I. Scenes include the Aerocar being driven around the airfield while in its plane…