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A Very Dairy Mystery: The Colors of Butter
An epic deep-dive investigation into the confusing color-coded package designs of this familiar grocery staple.
Mar 3
•
Paul Lukas
52
28
4
A Museum Devoted to Everyday Items
Mexico City is home to an institution that’s right the Inconspicuous Consumption wheelhouse.
Feb 18
•
Paul Lukas
and
Scott Teplin
46
17
5
Still More Bottom-Button Banter
The smallest of sartorial details continues to punch above its weight. Plus the economics of extra shirt buttons, and more.
Jan 29
•
Paul Lukas
30
13
1
What’s Wrong with This Picture?
My new shirt is perfect ... except for one little thing. Plus a new Inconspicuous News Roundup!
Jan 27
•
Paul Lukas
32
21
1
Collection Agency: Crunching the Numbers with a Calculator Collector
Rahul Saggar, a self-described “calcuphile,” is obsessed with old-school computational devices.
Dec 29, 2025
•
Paul Lukas
93
45
6
Collection Agency: Tucker Viemeister’s Amazing Wall of Toothpaste Tubes
An epic assemblage of a common consumer product. Plus a new raffle, and more!
Dec 8, 2025
•
Paul Lukas
25
15
1
What Makes a Good Package Design Even Better?
Answer: A good package design with a depiction of that same package on the package!
Nov 11, 2025
•
Paul Lukas
39
20
3
An Easily Overlooked Detail of Spatula Design
You might think all spatulas are basically the same. But as I recently learned, that’s definitely not the case.
Sep 30, 2025
•
Paul Lukas
35
22
1
A Close Look at Auxiliary Prescription Labels
The ubiquitous little stickers are classically inconspicuous.
Jul 15, 2025
•
Paul Lukas
29
19
1
A Plastic Icon Transitions to Cardboard
Are you ready for biodegradable bread clips? Plus: An inconspicuous mystery!
Jun 5, 2025
•
Paul Lukas
29
15
2
A Really Fun Art Exhibit in a Really Unlikely Place
Shoppers on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan may encounter an exhibit that will almost certainly make them smile.
Jun 2, 2025
•
Paul Lukas
35
7
The Curious Phenomenon of Faux Stitching
Manufacturers are trying to simulate a handcrafted look, even on products that we’d never expect to be handcrafted in the first place.
May 20, 2025
•
Paul Lukas
44
7
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