Nokia Earbuds, c. 2008
Perhaps these work. The cell phone got wet and doesn’t. Even if all the parts were in perfect working order, the mobile itself was obsolete long before the water seeped in.
Fredeik Idestam, founder of Nokia, which originally began its existence as a pulp mill in 1865.
Status: Sea Monster has dibs. She needs to hear well. The clasp will do well for gripping messages too.
Wine Pourer, Decanter Holder.
This is clearly a relative of the wine coaster, which I was calling a wine decanter holder thing, and now learned it’s called a coaster via this antiques website. So that puts it squarely in the garage sale camp. Although I suppose it’s possible they snuck into the apartment independently.
I forgot to look for a mark. But I suspect it’s also silver-plate. It’s quite sturdy, and we don’t own the glass decanter it should presumably go around. So without its glass mate to properly function, it earns the status of uselessness. Obsolescence almost goes without saying, when was the last time you went to a dinner party and such a pourer was used?
Status: Not mine, so no comment. Although it does partly make me think of Poirot, so it has a charming imprint.
Raggedy Andy Doll. 6 1/2″ Cloth. Made in Taiwan, Republic of China.
Tag states “Not to be removed until sold by retail and delivered”.
His stuffing is every so slightly starting to come out of his back. Probably a cat scratch from many moons ago. There’s a also a wee tear on his front shirt. Otherwise, he’s in pretty good shape, considering the neglect this little chap has suffered.
There is a bit of history at this website which tells the legends of Raggedy Ann and Andy, created by Johnny Gruelle. Sadly, one of them says Raggedy Ann was based upon his daughter, who died at 13. There’s another one about a candy heart being sewn into her heart. Raggedy Andy doesn’t get top billing. He was probably misbehaving.
Status: All these Doll posts now belong to the “Create a special shelf/photograph/display” category.
Bag of four 2Wire DSL MicroFilters. Came with the installation of internet at the stuffice.
Until this photo op, these were never opened. I didn’t know what they were for, they just came in the box with the modem. Turns out they should be filtering the telephone signal to the modem, if I understand Wikipedia correctly. But then again, the space where the phone jack is installed is not easily accessible, so I’m hopeful the technician did it and these are just extras.
I’ll keep one away from the sea monster just in case it’s needed as a backup.
Status: The sea monster has already placed dibs on these. She’ll have to make do with three now. Nicer balance with 3.
p.s. New tag added for sea monster. Some day she will come together, especially as she’s already laid claim to a few of these obsolescing things.
Shaw Glass Cutter. Made in England.
This has a fine wooden handle, it feels nice to hold. Not that I’m a pro at glass cutting – having only used it a dozen times max, for I think 3 art projects. The last one was about 4 years ago. And all for testing – when the final cuts were made, it was by a real glass artisan. The tool is, of course, not obsolete, but again in that limbo state of unused, and the longer it goes unused the more dust it collects and it starts mutating into clutter.
Pulling it out again to photograph does create a renewed appreciation for how it is well made.
so,
Status: Invent new glass project requiring use of said tool.
Obsolescence Project 