Model of a Chain Pump 1855

This is a Model of a Chain Pump, crafted by Petrus van der Loo sometime before his death in 1864. Van der Loo was a Dutch mathematician and teacher, well-versed in the practical applications of science. This model offers a glimpse into the technological innovations of the 19th century. It reminds us of the labor required to keep the ships afloat. Chain pumps were crucial, yet they also speak to the back-breaking work often performed by marginalized sailors whose stories are frequently missing from the historical record. Consider the implications of maritime power at the time this model was made; the economic engines that were facilitated by these ships, and the human cost of building and maintaining them. It serves as a reminder that progress is never without its shadows.