Electrische locomotief van de Pennsylvania Rail Road, Verenigde Staten 1936

This photograph by Wouter Cool captures an electric locomotive of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The locomotive is a potent symbol of modernity. In the roundel on the locomotive we see the Pennsylvania Railroad's logo, a keystone shape, derived from the central stone in an arch, thus a visual metaphor for strength, stability, and essential support. This symbol echoes in architectural and heraldic traditions across cultures. Consider the archways of ancient Roman aqueducts or the keystone motifs in Renaissance cathedrals: The keystone symbolizes not just structural integrity but also the foundational principles upon which societies are built. Even in modern corporate logos, the desire to evoke reliability persists. The locomotive, like the keystone, represents progress, power, and connection. These symbols evolve, resurface, and take on new meanings, reminding us of the enduring human quest for innovation, and our reliance on the foundations of cultural memory.