Inconspicuous Consumption

Inconspicuous Consumption

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Vintage Artifacts

Collection Agency: Crunching the Numbers with a Calculator Collector
Rahul Saggar, a self-described “calcuphile,” is obsessed with old-school computational devices.
 • Paul Lukas
When Is a Catalog More Than a Catalog?
A close look at functional objects that also serve as catalogs. Plus a new Inconspicuous News Roundup!
The Pleasures of Decorator Colors
How a recent purchase led to a deep dive on a colorful marketing term.
 • Paul Lukas
I Thought I Knew About the Poll Tax, but I Was Wrong
How a bunch of vintage documents gave me a fascinating history lesson.
 • Paul Lukas
In Which I Finally Land My White Whale ... Sort Of
I finally found a long-sought item — or at least a representation of it. Plus still more stick figures, right-handed toilets, and more!
 • Paul Lukas
A Shirt with a Very Unusual Backstory
A gift I gave to a now-deceased friend 30 years ago is up for purchase in a digital estate sale, which raises some interesting questions. Plus a new…
 • Paul Lukas
Little Stories: The Special Fork
How I sent coded messages while setting the table for dinner.
 • Paul Lukas
A Very Satisfying Piece of Hardware Design
One of my favorite possessions spends most of its time buried in my toolbox. Plus a new Inconspicuous News Roundup!
 • Paul Lukas
My Favorite Industrial-Trespassing Artifact
Transforming a story of death into a flicker of life.
 • Paul Lukas
Why I Don’t Like Estate Sales
Plus a new Inconspicuous News Roundup!
 • Paul Lukas
A Sample Catalog for Something You Probably Never Thought About
If you’re giving out a diploma, certificate, or other fancy document, it likely needs a decorative border.
 • Paul Lukas
Some of My Latest Home Décor
But first, some thoughts about material culture.
 • Paul Lukas
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