[Otis Steel Mill, Cleveland]

Following an introduction to Elroy Kulas, president of Otis Steel, Bourke-White received permission to photograph blast furnaces and other equipment in his plants. Technically and physically the job was difficult, but with the help of friends who encouraged her to use faster film, faster lenses, and flares newly developed for Hollywood, she captured the drama of the industrial process. Shown here is a massive ladle just being tipped to pour a stream of molten metal. Kulas produced a limited-edition booklet, The Story of Steel, showcasing sixteen of Bourke-White’s photographs and distributed it to Otis Steel stockholders and corporate clients. It was instrumental in spreading her name and reputation to large industries across the United States. This picture also won first prize at the Cleveland Museum of Art show in May 1928. (“Margaret Bourke-White: From Cornell Student to Visionary Photojournalist,” curated by Stephanie Wiles and presented at the Johnson Museum January 24 – June 7, 2015)