Machine 1931 - 1937

These photographs of a “Machine” are of unknown origin, yet they reveal much about labor and industry. The images document an anonymous machine, constructed from iron, steel and other industrial materials. The process of assembling such a machine would have involved many laborers, each responsible for a specific task: cutting, shaping, welding, and fitting the components together. The final product would be a testament to their collective effort, a symbol of industrial progress, yet also a reminder of the repetitive and often dehumanizing nature of factory work. The use of industrial materials and manufacturing processes in this machine reflects the broader social context of its time. As modes of production became increasingly mechanized, the role of the individual artisan diminished. By focusing on the materials, making, and context of this anonymous machine, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between labor, technology, and society.