(Top) A worker at Blue Creations prepares a pair of blue jeans for a crinkle effect known as "3-D whiskers." (Bottom) Employees at Blue Creations apply the destruction/distressing process to jeans by sanding, ripping and tearing them on molds. John Francis Peters for NPR hide caption
Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolis, and it was poised to become a manufacturing giant because of its unique geography. John Francis Peters for NPR & Shereen Marisol Meraji/NPR hide caption
John Harris makes a weld for a test during a welding class at Spartanburg Community College in Spartanburg, S.C., on Oct. 22. Mike Belleme for NPR hide caption
The National Zoo's carousel is among dozens that Carousel Works has installed around the U.S., each made to fit in with its surroundings. James Clark/NPR hide caption
Products of the Homer Laughlin China Co. are on display at a showroom at the company's headquarters in Newell, W.Va. Ross Mantle for NPR hide caption
Fashion designer Natalie Chanin stands in front of in-progress garments at the Alabama Chanin Factory. Chanin and Billy Reid, internationally acclaimed designers, have teamed up to test the concept of organic, sustainable cotton farming and garment-making. Debbie Elliott/NPR hide caption
A worker cuts slabs of steel at a mill in Cleveland in 2004. Ron Schwane/AP hide caption
Tom Worden works on a fixed-abrasive grinding table at Exelis Inc. in Rochester, N.Y. Exelis is an aerospace and defense company, and employs numerous former Kodak workers in its facility. Mike Bradley for NPR hide caption