"Propellers" (1918) by Fernand Léger. (French, 1881-1955).

Oil on canvas, 80.9 x 65.4 cm. Katherine S. Dreier Bequest to the Museum of Modern Art, New York - (copyright 2006 ProLittoris, Zurich)

Fernand Leger is one of the few early twentieth century artists to be fascinated by mechanical systems. He judged the development of engineering and technology to be a worthy subject for the artist. The many unusual shapes in this picture uncannily foretell some of the shapes used by accelerator designers and it must surely be an accident that "Propellers" was not chosen rather than "Accelerators" for the devices which the book describes.