In addition to explaining the system of lantern signals, the manual drawings signify more and leave some questions unanswered. The signal man, gazing diagonally into the distance, also has posture, uniform, gender, emotion and facial expression, all of which can influence interpretation of the message. The diagrams convey sequential arm motion but tell us nothing of speed or delivery. We can imagine that some information may have been conveyed fast, as in: "APPLY AIR BRAKES," or with gravitas: "GO BACK," or in regret: "TRAIN HAS PARTED."
By propelling this historical figure into the present‐day, we question what has been lost and gained in industrialization and the rationalization of the workplace, in which all of us are entwined. By digitally re‐drawing this obviously old image, using the old trick of trompe l'oeil, presenting it within an old tradition of etching, and using modern fonts, color palettes, and materials, we reference what been lost and gained in modern production.