Untitled (Cooper Tires display at Texaco service station, Suffolk, Virginia) c. 1925

Editor: This photograph, "Untitled (Cooper Tires display at Texaco service station, Suffolk, Virginia)" by Hamblin Studio, shows tires lined up inside what looks like a gas station. The tires seem staged, almost like actors on a stage. What can we read from this presentation? Curator: This staged presentation speaks volumes about the cultural landscape of the time. The deliberate display normalizes car culture and its impact on society. It invites us to reflect on the intersection of consumerism, mobility, and the environmental consequences of reliance on fossil fuels. Editor: So, it’s not just about tires, but about the broader implications of car culture? Curator: Exactly. The image becomes a historical marker, prompting us to consider how our choices around transportation have shaped our communities and environment and continue to do so. Editor: I never thought about a tire display having so much to say! Curator: It’s about understanding the underlying social and historical factors that can have a big impact on our society.