Progress is fine, but it's gone on for too long.
with apologies to Ogden Nash...
Monday, May 4, 2026
Suzuki with actress
Sunday, May 3, 2026
The cheapest oil filter wrench
Three stamped pieces of maybe .080" or .100" thick steel, a coupla rivets and we have a simple and effective oil filter wrench, the maker didn't even put their name on it.
Second thought, maybe its just a kitchen can opener?
Sidecar Sardine Sunday
An illustration for the artisan sardine cannery La Quiberonnaise, by comic book artist Frank Margerin.
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Zubian sealing wax
Sealing wax for sealing lids while canning fruits and vegetables, when that was a normal part of life, not sure where the seemingly exotic name "Zubian" came from.
The Dicks- Pontius company didn't disappear as canning became less popular, they branched out into calks and sealants after WW2, merging with Armstrong and changing their name to a name you might recognize- DAP Global, and are thriving today.
One of my vices is vises, Peter Wright
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| Thanks, Arthur! |
British manufacturer Peter Wright was known for their innovative solid-screwbox post/leg vises for blacksmith use. Up to that point the thread was usually coiled and brazed, a much less strong process. The leg transferred the shock of hammering directly to the ground.
They were introduced in about 1848 and made into the early 20th century and were often stamped with "Peter Wright", "Solid Box" or "Patent" on the back part of the screwbox.
Friday, May 1, 2026
Aluminum!
Fashion Friday, Gypsy Baron hat
Gay as a gypsy, manufactured by Hodson Berg of Fifth Avenue. Probably didn't catch on, no definitive images online that I could find, but would probably suit a man in jodhpurs. The people look like our kinda people...
Pau Grand Prix poster
Pau is located in the southwest corner of France. The 110-lap race was won by Maserati driver Juan Manuel Fangio after starting from pole position.







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