"Walt Builds a Family Fallout Shelter"
ca. 1960
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Following the detonation of the hydrogen bomb at Bikini Atoll in 1954, the Federal government’s focus shifted to fallout shelters. Part of that response was the release of films such as Walt Builds a Family Fallout Shelter, produced by the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization with the help of the National Concrete Masonry Association.
This film provides step-by-step instructions presented by amiable family man Walt, from laying out the outline for the shelter space, mixing the mortar, the crucial step of moving any furniture and other large pieces before the final wall is put up, to the optional final step of painting it to please your significant other. The film’s presenters highlight the multiple purposes that such a space may be used for, including as an extra bedroom, a room for grandchildren, a normal non-nuclear shelter against natural disasters, and even a photo darkroom.
This film provides step-by-step instructions presented by amiable family man Walt, from laying out the outline for the shelter space, mixing the mortar, the crucial step of moving any furniture and other large pieces before the final wall is put up, to the optional final step of painting it to please your significant other. The film’s presenters highlight the multiple purposes that such a space may be used for, including as an extra bedroom, a room for grandchildren, a normal non-nuclear shelter against natural disasters, and even a photo darkroom.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
National Archives Identifier: 61040
Full Citation: Motion Picture 311.96; Walt Builds a Family Fallout Shelter; ca. 1960; Moving Images Relating to Emergency Management, 1979 - 2001; Records of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Record Group 311; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/walt-fallout-shelter, October 9, 2024]Rights: Copyright Not Evaluated Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
