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1903. "Mechanics' Hall, Boston." Last seen here. Coming in October: The 2nd Triennial Merchants & Mechanics Exposition. Plus: The Great Creatore and his Italian Band. 8x10 inch glass negative, Detroit Publishing Co. View full size.
A police call box perhaps?
[Previously on Shorpy: Near the corner. -tterrace]
We currently regard the term "mechanic' to denote one who works with the hands to build, repair, or modify machinery, whether a Ferrari or an irrigation pump. In the 19th Century, the term was more broadly construed, often embracing today's professions of builder, designer, even architect. Associational groups of such professionals sponsored continuing education, social improvement activities, and entertainment for their members. Additionally, they were often engines of change by advocating introducing professional credentialing/licensing requirements or making them more rigorous.
Thus, we see here a monument to what G. B. Shaw might have labelled a "conspiracy against the laity."
The Boston Evening Transcript (Sept 1903) touted advances in aerial navigation mentioning Professor Langley, Santos-Dumont, and Alexander Graham Bell. Bell's models had arrived for the exposition and the others were expected to be among the manufacturers represented.
No mention of the Wright Brothers and their work. Just 2 months later, the Wright Brothers would bring controllable heavier than air flight to fruition at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
What is the object mounted on a pedestal near the corner? Anyone?
[Police call box. -tterrace]
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