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I Thought I Knew About the Poll Tax, but I Was Wrong
How a bunch of vintage documents gave me a fascinating history lesson.
Oct 2
•
Paul Lukas
34
9
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
•
Paul Lukas
34
22
The Mind-Blowing Geometric Design of Diatomaceous Earth
To the naked eye, it’s a plain white powder. But if you zoom in with an electron microscope, a stunning industrial landscape emerges.
Jul 22
•
Paul Lukas
29
7
The Shift from “Passed Away” to “Passed”
Some thoughts about a recent linguistic trend — or at least I think that’s what it is.
Jul 10
•
Paul Lukas
23
40
A Close Look at Ticket-Punch Shapes
A teeny-tiny design niche with a near-endless range of possibilities. Plus a new Inconspicuous News Roundup, and more.
Jul 8
•
Paul Lukas
32
19
In Which I Learn a New Term for a Very Inconspicuous Type of Territory
What exactly is a “pene-exclave”? Read on to find out.
Jun 19
•
Paul Lukas
31
19
A Plastic Icon Transitions to Cardboard
Are you ready for biodegradable bread clips? Plus: An inconspicuous mystery!
Jun 5
•
Paul Lukas
29
15
Is It “Baggage Claim” or “Bag Claim”?
A surprising lack of consistency has arisen at American airports.
Mar 6
•
Paul Lukas
29
17
Pretzel Logic: The Twists and Turns of an Iconic Product
The language of this classic snack has slowly been corrupted.
Aug 1, 2024
•
Paul Lukas
41
21
Of Bumps, Humps, and Lumps
A deep dive on a common but surprisingly nuanced roadway phenomenon.
Jul 16, 2024
•
Paul Lukas
63
62
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