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A Little-Known Chapter in Gas Station History
A find at an Indiana yard sale led to an intriguing 1970s rabbit hole. Plus a new Inconspicuous News Roundup!
6 hrs ago
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Paul Lukas
17
12
I Have a Weird Email Quirk
What about you? Plus a big Inconspicuous News Roundup!
Aug 5
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Paul Lukas
30
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1
July 2026
For Pleat’s Sake: Another Super-Cool Factory Tour
A return visit to the Garment District to learn about another fascinating old-school trade. Plus a new Inconspicuous News Roundup!
Jul 30
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Paul Lukas
74
18
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We Have a Winner: See Our New T-Shirts!
A recent reader challenge has resulted in an excellent design solution. Plus big Brannock Device news, and more!
Jul 28
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Paul Lukas
44
16
2
The Scourge of Inconsistent Street Sign Lettering
A reader takes us on a guided tour of his hometown’s inexplicably erratic street signs. Plus a new Inconspicuous News Roundup, and more!
Jul 24
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Norb
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Paul Lukas
33
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The Surprisingly Deep “Sanforized” Rabbit Hole
It’s a ubiquitous term on old clothing labels. But what does it mean, and why are there so many different versions of it?
Jul 16
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Paul Lukas
40
14
2
The Colorful Little Road Markers with a Story to Tell
Design is all around us if you know where to look, and right underfoot is a good place to start.
Jul 14
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Paul Lukas
44
12
3
A Different Kind of Ticket Collection
A Washington insider saved a trove of tickets from presidential inaugurations and other rarefied events he attended. Let’s take a look!
Jul 9
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Paul Lukas
37
6
2
Your Coin Toss Stories
Inconspicuous Consumption readers discuss the coins they toss when working as referees, and in other situations.
Jul 7
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Paul Lukas
27
15
1
Resurrecting the Half-Dollar, One Transaction at a Time
The 50-cent piece is our most inconspicuous coin, which makes it ideal for a project that’s currently unfolding at a Maine retail shop.
Jul 1
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Paul Lukas
37
16
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June 2026
The Names We Give Our Grandparents
Gramps? Grandpa? Pop-Pop? How do we decide what to call these beloved family members?
Jun 25
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Paul Lukas
34
72
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The Power of the Unlikely Time Capsule
As I recently discovered, even the most random-seeming artifact can unlock a series of potent memories.
Jun 23
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