Merry Xmas (or whatever!)

[via Books.Google.com/Popular Mechanics]

[#1 posted by zuzu , December 24, 2008 10:41 AM]

The foundation of civilization rests on inventions of new machinery. To keep abreast of mechanical progress should be the aim of every intelligent man.

[#2 posted by Scuba SM , December 24, 2008 12:12 PM]

So, where can I get one of these gizmos? If it does what it says, it should be pretty handy in the woodshop.

[#3 posted by Frank_in_Virginia , December 25, 2008 5:22 AM]

Nice. Small company, long gone..

[#4 posted by Elvis Pelt , December 25, 2008 4:53 PM]

Merry Whatever, Gadgeteers!

Oh yeah, uh, want? (Sorry.)

[#5 posted by El Mariachi , December 26, 2008 6:58 PM]

@Scuba Sm:

Garrett Wade sells something similar, geared more towards carpentry than machining (e.g., minus the calipers but plus a couple other things):
http://www.garrettwade.com/odd-job-w-6-in-rule/p/23N02ddd01/

[#6 posted by Gilbert Wham , December 27, 2008 1:53 PM]

I'll buy that for a dollar!

Sorry.

[#7 posted by zuzu , December 30, 2008 4:07 PM]

Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge

The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, founded in 1826, was a Whiggish London organisation that published inexpensive texts intended to adapt scientific and similarly high-minded material for the rapidly expanding reading public. It was established mainly at the instigation of Lord Brougham with the objects of publishing information to people who were unable to obtain formal teaching, or who preferred self-education. The Society was sometimes mentioned in contemporary sources as SDUK.

References to the Society are rare in the modern era, but within Steampunk culture, it is not entirely uncommon to refer to the Society itself and/or its better-known publications in an attempt to lend Victorian verisimilitude.