Twee diepzeethermometers en een thermometerbehuizing before 1880

Here we have an image of three deep-sea thermometers and a thermometer housing. Although the artist remains anonymous, the image speaks volumes about the historical and cultural context of its creation. Naval instruments like these were the tools that enabled colonialism. By measuring the depths of the ocean and expanding trade routes, this technology was used to control the seas and colonize foreign lands. These thermometers also reflect a shift in identity for the working class. As exploration became more advanced and jobs opened to the public, working class citizens had an opportunity to work on research vessels, which were previously reserved for the wealthy. These thermometers show a unique connection to a specific moment in time. The vastness of the sea, the advancement of technology, and the shift in working-class identity are all deeply felt when considering this image.