Theefabriek Kertamanah gebouwd door Machinefabriek Braat Soerabaia 1934 1934

This photograph shows the Theefabriek Kertamanah, a factory built in 1934 by Machinefabriek Braat Soerabaia. While the photograph itself is anonymous, it captures a pivotal moment in industrial history. The image reveals the factory’s steel frame, an early example of prefabricated construction. Each component was likely manufactured off-site, then assembled to create a modular structure. This points to the increasing efficiency and scale of industrial production. Consider the labor involved, from the design engineers to the factory workers assembling the steel. The photograph is as much a testament to human ingenuity as it is a record of a building. It prompts us to think about how technological advancement and mass production have shaped our world, blurring the lines between design, craft, and industry.