Old Tech Never Dies

NPR science reporter Robert Krulwich got my attention a couple of days ago with a story that asked anyone to name any tool, machine, or human invention from any place, any time, any culture that is no longer being made today. I would have thought that most such things were as extinct as the dinosaurs. Apparently that is not the case. Things like parts for a steam engine car, Paleothic stone hammers, arrowheads, and every item checked on from an 1895 Montgomery Ward catalogue are still being made. Kevin Kelly, founding editor of Wired Magazine and Cool Tools blogger, said he couldn't fing any tool, technology, or invention that disappeared completely from Earth. Astounding, huh?