Fernand Charron, één van de deelnemers aan (en latere winnaar van) de race Parijs-Amsterdam, in zijn automobiel onderweg 1898

This photograph by Delizy captures Fernand Charron in his automobile, a participant and eventual winner of the Paris-Amsterdam race. The image provides a glimpse into the cultural infatuation with technology and speed at the turn of the 20th century. Consider the context: the rise of industrialization allowed for innovations like the automobile, transforming not just transportation, but also social interactions. This new technology largely represented the interests and capabilities of men from upper and middle classes. The crowd lining the streets reflects a society eager to witness and celebrate technological advancement and masculine achievement. How might this moment be perceived differently by those excluded from such displays of progress? The photograph serves as a historical marker, inviting reflection on our ongoing relationship with technology, and the ways it continues to shape our identities and societal values.