Zippo

Since the 1930's Zippo lighters have been produced in Bradford PA. The current design is virtually unchanged from the original. The Lifetime Guarantee that accompanies every Zippo lighter still guarantees that "It works or we fix it free". Hard to beat that.

"The Duke"

Official NFL supplier since 1941, Wilson footballs are made in Ada, Ohio. Produced with Horween cowhide this is a classic hand made object. Check out the video:

Maglite

I like Maglite flashlights. I can’t seem to have enough of them. Designed by Anthony Maglica and introduced in 1979 the Maglite is an American made design icon. CNC’d from aircraft aluminum with a lifetime warranty it’s hard to find more perfect product.

FJ40

Toyota Dream car. TLC has some great restorations. Fun set from flickr.

Buildings of Disaster

Boym Partners create Buildings of Disaster. They are miniature replicas of famous structures where tragic events have taken place- like tourist souvenirs for infamy. Beautifully cast in metal and produced in limited editions theses are great collectibles. Shown above are "Three Mile Island" and "Texas School Book Depository". You can get them at Moss.

Röyksopp "Happy Up Here"

John Waters

John Waters has a show at Gagosian in Beverly Hills (was also at Marianne Boesky in New York). Nice work. Waters is a renaissance man.

Lightolier Lytegem

The Lytegem lamp was designed by Michael Lax in 1965. Lightolier reintroduced them after a long absence. It's a classic.

Free & Easy

Free & Easy is a cool Japanese lifestyle magazine (with a lot of Americana). Great photos and inspiration. You can find it at Books Kinokuniya.

Wiffle Ball

The Wiffle ball was invented by David N. Mullany of Fairfield, Connecticut in 1953. Still a family owned business the balls are still made in the USA. David J. and Stephen A. Mullany describe the origins: "Gramp had been a semi-pro pitcher and knew that throwing curveballs was not good for young arms and thought he might be able to help. He got some parts from a nearby factory, cut various designs into them and sent Dad out to test them. They both agreed that the ball with eight oblong perforations worked best. That’s how the WIFFLE perforated plastic ball was invented. To this day, we don’t know exactly why it works… it just does!!"

Leica

Leica makes cameras that are amazing tools. The optics and build quality are unsurpassed. I'm fond of the rangefinders. From the M3 to M8.2 the series spans analog to digital photography seamlessly.

Alden of New England

Alden produces great shoes in Middleborough Massachusetts. Some of my favorites are shown above. L-R, made for Brooks Brothers: Shell Cordovan Unlined Penny Loafer, Cordovan Leather Blucher, and branded for Alden: the Indy Boot (as seen in the Indiana Jones movie series). They are now the only original New England shoe and bootmaker remaining.