Household explosives from a simpler time

So as November 5th draws closer and the rules about selling gunpowder and bombs to the public are relaxed in the name of a failed terrorist plot and a horrific act of capital punishment, I thought I'd have a look at some classic firework packaging, and came upon this link to the Firework Heritage Museum, and their display of "pre-British Standard" bangers.



The site is well worth a look, the packaging is a masterpiece in getting maximum impact from 2-colour printing, and the vintage typography might as well have a banner saying "graphic designers; rip me off now!" on it.

Better than the iPad?

Boston Globe reporter Alex Beam gives an impassioned speech about the revival of what he calls an "analogue data entry device", and what everyone else calls a pencil. Not just any pencil however, the Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602 pencil, which apparently has lead "as soft as butter" and can demand prices up to $40 a pop. Whilst a great many of us in design stay loyal to a particular brand or make of pen (Uni Pin 0.3, if you're interested), I can't help feeling that Alex Beam really should get out more.

Having said that, that classic All-American packaging, and machine-crimped metal eraser holders do add up to a cracking looking pencil, but I'm not sure I'll be putting down the fine liners and writing a $600 dollar cheque any time soon.