America

“America” is a documentary project by Destin Sandlin of the YouTube channel Smarter Every Day. The project investigates whether a consumer product can be manufactured entirely within the United States while remaining cost-competitive in the global marketplace.

Project Scope

The documentary examines the practical and economic realities of domestic manufacturing at scale. It explores key factors that affect production viability, including labor costs, supply chain infrastructure, regulatory requirements, and production efficiency. By documenting the entire manufacturing process for a selected product, the project provides an empirical view of the challenges and opportunities in American manufacturing.

Purpose

The project addresses broader questions about the feasibility of reshoring consumer goods production to the United States and what economic conditions would be necessary to sustain such operations competitively. Rather than presenting a predetermined conclusion, it documents the actual constraints and possibilities encountered when attempting to keep production within American borders.

Source Notes