William Harrison Hays was an American politician and leader in the early motion picture industry, born on November 5, 1879, and died on March 7, 1954. He is best known for his role as the president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA), commonly known as the Hays Office, from 1922 to 1945.
As the head of the MPPDA, Hays was responsible for introducing and enforcing a set of guidelines for the content of films known as the Hays Code. This code aimed to maintain moral standards in movies by avoiding controversial and explicit content, such as violence, profanity, and sexuality. The Hays Code had a significant impact on the film industry, shaping the content of movies for several decades.
Hays' involvement in the motion picture industry stretched beyond his role as the head of the MPPDA. Prior to his political career, he served as the campaign manager for President Warren G. Harding in 1920. Hays also held various political posts, including the chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1918 to 1921.
Outside of politics, Hays made contributions to other sectors, such as serving as the president of the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) and being involved in philanthropic endeavors.
In summary, William Harrison Hays was a prominent American politician and influential figure in the early film industry. He is most remembered for his leadership as president of the MPPDA, where he implemented the Hays Code to regulate the content of movies.
