Twee aanzichten van een watermonstervat before 1880

This is a page from an unknown book, showing two diagrams of a water sampling device. Although the book is anonymous, this is a very deliberate piece of publishing. Looking at the illustrations, the main material interest here is obviously the metal of the sampling device itself. It would have been made using processes of casting and machining, most likely in a factory setting. Consider all the steps involved: the design, the making of the molds, the pouring of the molten metal, the finishing. We might also think about the social context of the book. It’s an example of industrial production, with all the labor and resources that entails. It is also a tool for distributing information and knowledge, enabling the standardization of testing protocols. These things allow for more efficient management and exploitation of natural resources – including water. We can see that materials, making, and context are all inextricably linked. By considering these elements, we gain a fuller appreciation of the book as a historical and cultural artifact.