MetaChat - Monday distraction question.

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13 August 2007

Monday distraction question. Can you think of some things that haven't changed much in a long time? Examples include Toastmasters, umbrellas, newspaper stands (the self serve ones, not the manned newsstands in bigger places like NYC). Not necessarily US-centric.

post by: chewatadistance at: 07:25 | 21 comments

Paper clips and naughty bits, though they do have those fancy plastic-coated ones these days.

posted by danostuporstar 13 August | 08:05

basic coffeepots seem to be the same as they were when I was a kid. The random bottom-of-the-line Mr. Coffee ones.

Staplers are the same.

Touristy ashtrays will never change... about 3" across, 3/4" high, say something on the outside edge and inside bottom, three little cigarette indents.

posted by kellydamnit 13 August | 08:10

hee dano!

Another one is keys.

posted by chewatadistance 13 August | 08:10

Jars and bottles, at least basic-design wise
Furniture as rectangular
The standard size of paper in different countries (A4 v. 8.5"x11")
Doorknobs/latches

posted by mdonley 13 August | 08:12

Books. Lamps. Scissors. Pencils. Ballpoint pens. Envelopes. Candles. File cabinets. Basic waste basket.

Aside from the electronics and animals, that's pretty much an inventory of my office.

posted by desjardins 13 August | 08:49

Paper clips and naughty bits, though they do have those fancy plastic-coated ones these days.

Plastic-coated naughty bits!?!

Other things that haven't changed much over the years: Needles, thimbles, coasters, nail clippers, zippers, cats, laundry detergent containers, can openers, clock faces, shoelaces, my underpants.

posted by brina 13 August | 09:01

Paper clips and naughty bits

"..these are a few of my favorite things"

sorry

posted by jonmc 13 August | 09:13

Voting booths. The one I voted on in NYC was positively prehistoric.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 13 August | 09:15

Stationary and nice notecards.

posted by ethylene 13 August | 09:43

Chalk lines and plum bobs.

posted by Hugh Janus 13 August | 09:55

Excellent! What about things that haven't been replaced?

those ugly concrete bird baths
flying flags at half mast

posted by chewatadistance 13 August | 10:57

Hysterical misery with common unhappiness?

posted by ethylene 13 August | 11:09

Surveying The equipment has gotten a bit fancier but the guys out in the field still do the same things they did a hundred years ago.

posted by bobobox 13 August | 11:21

bubble gum machines
those comb holder apothecary-ish jar thingies you see in barber shops (with the brownish liquid in them)
gazing balls
weather vanes
saddles
pencil sharpeners (the type you hang on the wall)
chalk boards (though you will find them in schools less and less since a lot of schools have gone to dry erase boards.)
Pink Pearl Erasers (still love it when I get a new one.)
rubber date stamps
seed packaging

posted by fluffy battle kitten 13 August | 12:01

rattlesnake heads

posted by Hugh Janus 13 August | 12:09

Those will always be stylish, Hugh.

posted by chewatadistance 13 August | 12:27

Lightbulbs. The basic incandescent lightbulb has remained unchanged for over a century.

posted by Triode 13 August | 13:19

Eponysterical, dude. I love thinking about all those rock bands and MiG squadrons running on light bulbs.

posted by Hugh Janus 13 August | 14:16

Death.

posted by Eideteker 13 August | 20:21

Bobby pins and fire-hydrants.

posted by moonshine 14 August | 01:21

Cowboy hats, cowboy boots, and denim jeans. Saddles, bridles, and horseshoes. Garden shears.

posted by redvixen 14 August | 19:14

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