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French Customs officers X-Ray for smuggled goods
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French Customs officers X-Ray for smuggled goods
French Customs officers X-Ray for smuggled goods
1897
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14310830
© Terry Parker / Mary Evans Picture Library
1897 Boxes Containers Control Crates Excise Goods Legal Lights Official Smuggled Smuggling Trunk Trunks
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures the intense scrutiny and vigilance of French Customs officers during the late 1890s as they X-rayed suspected smuggled goods using a newly introduced technology. The photograph, taken in 1897, shows two officers intently examining an X-ray image of a trunk or crate, their faces serious and focused. The use of X-rays represented a significant advancement in border control, allowing officials to peer inside containers without opening them, thereby preventing the smuggling of contraband items such as alcohol, tobacco, and weapons. The officers are dressed in their official uniforms, adding to the sense of authority and order. The woman in the background, who appears to be a bystander, looks on with curiosity and perhaps a hint of apprehension. The room is illuminated by the bright light of the X-ray machine, casting long shadows and creating an atmosphere of intrigue and suspense. The boxes, crates, and trunks stacked in the background suggest the volume of goods passing through customs, making the need for effective and efficient inspection all the more crucial. The use of X-rays not only helped to streamline the customs process but also ensured that the law was upheld and the flow of contraband was minimized. This photograph offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, providing a window into the world of French Customs during the late 1890s and the innovative methods used to enforce the law and protect the country's borders.
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