THINGS OF BEAUTY

Some things are just better than others. When you hold them in your hands you can feel the quality, the craftsmanship, the inspiration that went into them. The kind of thing you buy once and you never need to buy again. Things made with care and pride and skill.

Things of beauty.

1. THE FENDER BASS

The first thing you notice is the weight. These bastards are solid and heavy and built to last. I'm an amateur bass player (Very amateur in fact. If you want to see just how amateur, check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOAVAe3Och0 but I warn you, it's not pretty) and I've got a '68 Telecaster. It has been bashed around, played hard and soaked in sweat and beer for 40 years and it still looks and sounds as good as the day it left the factory. Maybe better.

2. AMERICAN CARS FROM THE 50'S AND 60'S

The shear audacity of the '59 Cadillac. The recklessly cool suicide doors of a '63 Lincoln. The ingenious Breezeway window of the '64 Meteor. The satisfying ca-chunk as you slam the doors of any of these monsters. Cars were just better back then.

3. FUTURA

Designed in 1925 by Paul Renner, this is my "go to" typeface. You want retro, modern, classic, elegant? You name it, Futura fits the bill.  It may have been influenced by Edward Johnston's London Underground font and the Geometric type of the Bauhaus, but Futura was a huge step forward in type design. It is deceptively simple looking. The 'o's look round but they're really not. The stroke weight appears even but it's really not. This is type design at its finest. Screw Max Miedinger, Paul Renner is the man.

4. THE COLT 1911 PISTOL

Amazingly, the design hasn't really changed in nearly 100 years. You can argue that the world would be a better place without them, that all they're good for is killing, and you might be right. But you can't argue with the simple beauty of the design.

Photo by Andrew Montgomery

5. OLD METAL SIGNS

Every factory, store and motel used to have these one-of-a-kind beauties. Bristling with arrows and stars, dripping with neon, exuding confidence, exuberance and fun, fun, fun! Too often now they are being scrapped and replaced by hideous, mass-produced, back-lit plastic signs. Where I live I've seen 3 amazing examples disappear recently. I like to think someone saw their beauty and rescued them, but the truth is they've probably already been melted down and made into Hannah Montana lunch boxes.

Things of beauty. 

Made with skill and precision by men who loved their work.

Unfortunately, in our brave new world of built-in obsolescence and Chinese sweat shops, this kind of beauty is a rare thing indeed. 

And that is the Awful Truth.