Summary
Black and white photograph of a petrol engine assembly line at the Sunshine Harvesters Works.
Part of a collection of photographs, negatives, moving film, artefacts, documents and trade literature belonging to the H. V. McKay Sunshine Collection. The McKay collection is regarded as one of the most significant industrial heritage collections in Australia. The collection relates to the agricultural manufacturing firm, the Sunshine Harvester Works. The Australian operations of this company were originally founded by Hugh V. McKay in the 1890s in Ballarat. Between 1906 and 1907, McKay moved production to Sunshine where the firm became one of the largest industrial businesses in Australia. Change in ownership is a recurring theme in the company's history. In 1930, it merged with Massey-Harris to become H.V McKay Massey Harris. In the mid-1950s, the company was absorbed by Canadian agricultural firm Massey-Ferguson. Production in Sunshine ceased in the mid-1980s, following almost 100 years of manufacturing agricultural equipment.
Description of Content
Factory interior assembly line with numerous petrol engines placed on racks that are positioned in rows. Three levels of box-shelving around the walls also house the engines.
Physical Description
Black and white photograph. Handwritten text on reverse in grey pencil.
More Information
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Collection Names
H.V. McKay Sunshine Collection, Old McKay Archive (Series A)
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Councillor Don McKay, 11 Oct 1960
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Place & Date Depicted
Sunshine, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, circa 1940
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Format
Photograph, Black & White
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Inscriptions
Handwritten text on reverse in grey pencil reads: 'Quantity production cheapens cost and / lowers prices. Hundreds of 2 h.p. petrol engines / assembled at the Sunshine Harvester Works.'.
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Classification
Manufacturing & industry, Agricultural & horticultural equipment, Factory interiors
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Image Dimensions - Photograph
207 mm (Width), 131 mm (Height)
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Keywords