THE Lost Knowledge Catalog

Amazing & confounding techno-artifacts,

unearthed for your edification & amusement, in the interest

of their most timely preservation. [by gareth branwyn]

Monstrous Machines that Eat Wood! > OLD WOODWORKING MACHINES OWWM is a labyrinthian online library of photographs, histories, operating instructions, and restoration tips covering vintage woodworking equipment. The site has hundreds of PDF scans of old catalogs, manuals, parts lists, adverts, and historical documents from dozens of manufacturers. If you’re an enthusiast of “old iron,” you’ll go giddy clicking the corridors of this impressive collection. ................................................................... owwm.com

Strange Codes Revealed!
> HOBO CODE
To help fellow train hoppers and vagabonds, hobos
developed a secret language of symbols to communi-
cate dangers, available food and work, safe places to
sleep, and townspeople’s susceptibility to grift. While
some hobo signs are simple (a smiley face indicates
friendlies or a safe place to sleep) others are compli-
cated and esoteric (two interlocking rectangles, one
with a squiggly bottom, means: Cowards! They’ll give
you food/money just to get rid of you).
..................................................... tinyurl.com/mk77

Coin Carving for Fun and Profit
> HOBO COINS
“Hobo nickels” are
coins whose faces
have been carved to
create new imagery.
Because it’s inexpen-
sive and portable,
the hobby became
popular with hobos; nickels are the favored denomi-
nation because of their size, thickness, and relative
softness. While coin carving is still practiced today,
fans in the Original Hobo Nickel Society are primar-
ily interested in coins made in the era of the Indian
Head (“Buffalo”) nickel (1913–1940), the most popular
coin to carve. .................................. hobonickels.org

Make a Forceful Impression
> LET TERPRESS
Fueled by boutique-
press publishing, the
new craft movement,
and high-profile
endorsements in
places like Martha
Stewart Weddings,
letterpress printing
is enjoying a revival.
Suddenly, antique
letterpress machines, casting type, type drawers, and
anything else to do with letterpress printing are in
great demand. There is something undeniably awe-
some about typography and artwork visibly pressed
into a gorgeous piece of high-quality paper stock.
Green Dolphin Press is the keeper of the venerable
Letterpress FAQ ( greendolphinpress.com).
Also, check out the Briar Press Letterpress Museum
( briarpress.org). ........ aapainfo.org/lpress.html

IIlustrations by Suzanne Rachel Forbes

80 Make: Volume 17