Books: Cadillac Participation in the World War (1919)

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I found this treasure while searching through Google’s digitized archives of public domain works: Cadillac Participation in the World War.

It is a book produced by Cadillac in 1919, at the end of the first World War.  The book addresses the role of Cadillacs in the war zone, members of the Cadillac factory and sales staff who were called to service, and honors those who died in service to their country. It contains period photos of Cadillacs in Europe during the war.

Particularly of interest is letters from those serving in Europe which mention their experience with Cadillac motor cars on numbered page 25 and following. Here is one example:

“…It was my privilege to have for my service a Cadillac for one particular twelve thousand mile trip and during this time there was never a single interruption from anything except tire trouble…”
Hugh L. Cooper, (Courtesy Keokuk Cadillac Company, Keokuk Iowa)

The dedication from the book:

TO CADILLAC MEN
It is a lamentable fact that a war book had to be written — that there were in this world ideas so opposed and motives so conflicted that only a war could decide.
But it makes the American heart beat stronger to know that there were enough broad shoulders, well-set jaws, and hearts of strong and simple faith to take up arms for the principles of humanity and justice.
The Cadillac organization is glad that it was able to contribute something to the strength of the nation and its allies; proud if that contribution was even a step toward victory. It is an honor that Cadillac was called upon to manufacture machines of war, that there were in its employ so many competent, red-blooded, loyal men and women able to contribute to industrial requirements of war.
These veterans of the shops were allotted the industrial chores of the war. They remained at home, faithfully performing the various tasks to which they were assigned. There were no fond good-byes, no mothers’ blessing nor tears to soften their departure form their every-day pursuits. When the war was won, they wore no croix de guerre or other distinguished insignia of valor. They remained clad in the simple uniforms of their craft, content that they had done what they had been required to do.
In recognition of the patriotic efforts of these men, the Cadillac Motor Car Company dedicates this book. May it serve in a small way to pay a debt of gratitude.
R. H. Collins

PDF file of the book with Google digitization introduction: Read online or Download PDF
Buy the book on Amazon: Here.

Caddyinfo Twitter Updates for 2009-12-20

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Music: Black coat, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac, yeah, the boy’s a time bomb

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I see these lyrics (Black coat, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac, yeah, the boy’s a time bomb) mentioned quite frequently on Twitter, so I thought I should take a moment to explore them a bit.  They are the chorus of the song “Time Bomb” by the group Rancid.

Wikipedia has this to share:

“Time Bomb” is a song by punk band Rancid from their third album …And Out Come the Wolves [Epitaph, Aug 1995]. It was the album’s second single and peaked at number 8 on US Modern Rock chart, marking the highest initial charting single in Rancid’s career.  The lyrics for the first verse of the song were sampled from an earlier song, “Motorcycle Ride”, which appeared on the group’s Let’s Go album.

Rancid’s official website notes that “…And Out Come the Wolves” “…both invoked and transcended the punk rock genre, cementing Rancid’s place forever as one of the great rock bands of all time”.  Also that Time Bomb is a successful punk / ska hybrid sound that Armstrong and Freeman pioneered in their first band, Operation Ivy.  Link to Rancid on Twitter.  Rancid on MySpace.

The album was apparently named after the competition of other record labels for the band after their previous successful albums.

Ska as a musical genre originated in Jamaica and was a precursor to Reggae.

Rancid music video doing “Time Bomb”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLxgjsVQgiU

TimeBomb on Lala

Lyrics to Time Bomb :
If you wanna make a move then you better come in
It’s just the ability to reason that wears so thin
Living and Dying and the stories that are true
Secret to a good life’s knowing when you’re through

Black coat, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac, yeah, the boy’s a time bomb
(repeats)

Well, he’s back in the hole where they got him living
Like a rat but he’s smarter then that, nine lives like a cat
Ten years old they take him to the youth authority home
First thing you learn: you got to make it in this world alone

Black coat, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac, yeah, the boy’s a time bomb
(repeats)

Now he’s gotten out, he’s gotten free, he’s gotta go, got a car
He’s 21 years old, he’s runnin’ numbers from the bar
His pager’s beepin’, he’s gettin’ deep in
Whatever he can move on in, you know that kid’s a creepin’ in

Black coat, white shoes, black hat, cadillac, yeah, the boy’s a time bomb
(repeats)

…The boy’s a time bomb!

Tears come from the razor that’s been tattooed below his eye
His mother cries, she knows that he is strong enough to die
He’s rollin’ in the Cadillac, it’s midnight, sunroof is down
Three shots ring out, the hero’s dead, the new king is crowned

Black coat, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac, yeah, the boy’s a time bomb
(repeats) [x2]

…Ooh…Time bomb!!

The lyrics both capture a slice of life image of a street hustler trying to make something — anything work, and the unfortunate but frequent outcome of a life lived on the edge.