Sperry Corporation, advertisement 

This advertisement by John Conrad Berkey envisions Sperry Corporation's influence across land, sea, and sky. The composition, presenting a city surrounded by dynamic elements, strikes a chord with the ancient motif of the "omphalos," the world’s navel. Throughout history, cities have symbolized civilization’s highest aspirations. We observe this in Renaissance cityscapes and even older Mesopotamian maps. Berkey superimposes an ideal city, associating it with technological prowess and connecting it to global transportation networks, symbolizing commerce and defense. However, what elevates this image beyond mere illustration is the emotive power of the arrangement itself, conveying a sense of limitless potential. The city, traditionally a locus of human activity, is here reimagined as a nexus point, suggesting that the collective subconscious yearns for a harmonized and interconnected world, a sentiment echoed across centuries. The image's enduring appeal lies in its ability to tap into our deepest desires for progress, peace, and the mastery of our environment, illustrating the enduring power of symbols and their ability to resonate across time.