De Toekomst is a former strawboard factory in East Groningen, Scheemda. and was built in 1900 to bring economic prosperity to the region. Unfortunately, all did not work out as hoped and the production of strawboard was discontinued in 1968.
The factory fell into disrepair over time because the then owner did not perform any maintenance. In 2009, renovation work was finally started. However, many of the old machines can still be found in their original state, including this large wheel of a steam engine.
This picture fits almost naturally well in an industrial looking interior. I like the contrast between the strength and robustness of the construction against the decay of the rust spots.
It is almost melancholy, imagining how exciting it must have been to start up the machine for the first time at the beginning of the last century, with the firm hope that the future would bring much wealth and prosperity.