Pictures from the Subsoil, 1939

Abstract

In this paper, an anatomy is given of the ambiguous representations of the subsoil produced by the Schlumberger Company during the 1930s. In ‘normal’ scientific work, ambiguities are carefully concealed so that the visual depictions that accompany a text lend it authority and give it the appearance of clarity. However, in a patent trial instigated by Schlumberger over electrical methods of picturing the subsoil adjacent to oil wells, sharp relief is thrown on the shading of information. In particular, we see that it was in the interests of Schlumberger and their rivals to produce graphics open to multiple interpretation, and that the juggling and control of these was a conscious part of their work – and indeed necessary to their survival.