Untitled (man in large steamboat engine room) c. 1950

Curator: This striking photograph, of unknown date, is called "Untitled (man in large steamboat engine room)," by Jack Gould. It's a gelatin silver print, quite small, only about 4 by 5 inches. Editor: The inverted tones give it an otherworldly feel. I’m immediately struck by the man's pose amidst all this imposing machinery. He seems dwarfed but also in control. Curator: It's interesting to consider what steamboats represented historically—not just transportation, but also technological progress and America's expansion. This engine room, then, becomes a symbol of power. Editor: Precisely. The man's gesture suggests he is tending to some crucial operation. A symbol of man taming the machine. Curator: Yes, or perhaps more subtly, the interdependence. Each relies on the other within this complex industrial system. Editor: An image capturing a pivotal moment of change. The technology may be dated, but the sentiment remains relevant.