Model of a Disengaging Gear for Paddle Wheels c. 1840 - 1847

This is a model of a disengaging gear for paddle wheels made by J.P. Dudok van Heel. The model, constructed from wood, is a testament to the 19th-century’s fascination with industrial innovation and progress. While seemingly simple, the model embodies complex intersections of labor, technology, and societal transformation. Paddle wheels, powered by such gears, propelled steamboats, expanding trade routes and enabling greater access to resources. This period entrenched colonial power structures, often at the expense of indigenous populations. Consider the emotional impact of such technological advancements. For some, it represented progress and opportunity, while for others, it signaled displacement and exploitation. The smooth, polished wood belies the grit and toil of the workers who built and operated these machines, as well as the social inequalities that powered their construction. This model prompts us to reflect on the human cost of innovation and the ethical considerations that accompany technological advancement.