The Hand:
Union Carbide published a series of advertisements in the 1940s that depicted the human hand engaged in a wide range of technological activities. This particular image carried the title "Hottest Flame Ever Produced by Man" and discussed the development of acetylene by Union Carbide. Note the scale used to represent this human form and its role as an instrument of technological development. In other advertisements from this series "the hand" provided safe harbors for ships, directed aircraft with search lights, and harnessed the atom as a power source.

Progress:
Examine the elements that make up the background of this image. What are some of the technologies that are represented here? How are they organized and what are their impact on society and the environment? How is the concept of "progress" being defined in this image?