Films From the Forest History Society

The Forest History Society has produced two films on the history of log moving and fire fighting technology and contributed to the creation of a thought-provoking film history of the U.S. Forest Service. Descriptions of these award-winning films are provided below. For order information contact Andrea Anderson.

Film Orders 701 William Vickers Ave. Durham, NC, 27701-3162 Tel.: (919) 682-9319 Fax: (919) 682-2349

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Timber on the Move: A History of Log Moving Technology

Timber on the Move documents the development of log moving technology and its impact on the land—from the use of oxen in colonial New Hampshire to the introduction of helicopter and balloon yarding in the 1970s in the Pacific Northwest. It includes historical footage of river drives, big wheels, the steam donkey engine, logging railroads, steam loaders, the Lombard log hauler, and early crawler tractors and fairlead arches. Produced and edited by Vester Dick in 1981, the award-winning narrated film runs 34 minutes, with segments in color and black and white. Copies are available at a cost of $25.00 for VHS, $20.00 for DVD, or $90.00 for Betacam SP plus shipping.

The Greatest Good tells the story of the U.S. Forest Service and the public lands the agency manages. Produced by the U.S. Forest Service in 2005 and distributed by the Forest History Society, the film weaves historic footage and still photographs with interviews with historians, timber industry and environmental leaders, and Forest Service employees to illuminate the past one hundred years of accomplishments and controversies experienced while managing 191 million acres of America's land. Throughout the film, the question is asked: what is the greatest good? Narrated by Charles Osgood, the two-hour film is available as part of a 3-disc DVD set.