A Brief History of Wallets (and How to Find a Vintage One Today)
If you enjoy the fashion world, there are plenty of items you can collect from bygone eras to preserve how couture has changed. One is wallets. These tools have been …
Stories
Types of Globes: Your Vintage Guide
Since the beginning of time, humans have been fascinated with documenting the Earth’s terrain. Mapmaking became a popular profession as it allowed geographers to document new discoveries. However, as …
The Phonograph, the Gramophone, and the Foundations of Recorded Sound
In today’s world, it’s hard to imagine having anything less than unlimited access to music, books, podcasts, and other audio recordings. We can access thousands, or even millions, of recordings …
8 Old-Fashioned Barber Tools for Today
Barbers have been in business since 5000 B.C. Many times, they were priests who were trained to cut hair in a way to protect the body from evil spirits. Throughout …
7 Types of Clocks for Vintage and Antique Collectors
Clocks have long been used to help us tell time. During the 14th-century, mechanical clocks were commonly found in monasteries. It wasn’t until the 17th-century that they became more widespread. …
Your Guide to the History & Return of Vintage Electric Fans
Electric office fans have been around for more than 125 years. Their utility is undeniable and they have an interesting history. Invented around the time when office work was becoming …
A Look at Vintage Crosley Radios
Collectible items are so varied that people often wonder what makes that particular vintage item so desirable? Maybe it’s the rarity, beauty, and unique features. And with an item like …
The Leica M6: History and Praise
It’s been nearly 20 years since production ended on the Leica M6 camera, and photographers are still reviewing it. So, how is it that this 35mm film camera continues to …
A Guide to Vintage Walkie-Talkies and Two-Way Radios
Walkie-talkies and two-way radios are so common today that most pay no attention to them. However, at one point in history, they were considered to be one of the most …
A History of Streetlights: Out of the Darkness
Have you ever felt the pervasive darkness of a city without streetlights? Power outages, rolling brownouts and a night in the country remind us of how pervasive darkness is without …
Cordwainer vs. Cobbler vs. Shoemaker: What’s the difference?
Humans have needed shoes since time immemorial, and the types of shows through the ages show how the art and practicality of our mobility have given us sandals, wooden clogs, …
19th Century Scientists: Ancestors of Smartphone Functions
Every day, I try not to take for granted the technology that enables me to use my smartphone in the 21st century, but many of us do. I don’t know …
The Original Speed Date? The Myth and History of the Courting Candle
You find yourself in a thrift store, and while looking through the shelves of trash and treasures, you spot a strange candle in a twisted metal holder. Curious, you ask …
Why the Rooster? A Short History of Weathervanes
Weather vanes, or wind vanes, are often found perched on top of roofs to indicate the current direction of the wind. While these are mainly used as decorative pieces in …