[masraum]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

As I go through my stuff while in the process of downsizing, I keep coming across things that fit the dictionary definition of an artifact, "An object produced or shaped by human craft, especially a tool, weapon, or ornament of archaeological or historical interest." The stuff is interesting, but of no practical use in the 21st Century. I'm at the point in life of needing to get rid of this stuff somehow.
I'll bet a lot of Pelicans have interesting artifacts lying around, and you're probably going to face getting rid of them someday.



I think this was my mother's. We lived near Springfield, Ohio and I think Mom worked in the city at some point. She apparently rode the bus. I can't think of any other reason she would have this fare dispenser. You push down on one of the dimes and slide it until it pops out of the end.



Apparently the bus company provided them for free.

This is a lap robe was my grandmothers. It was used on horse-drawn buggies and early motorcars. It is about 5' by 4' and it's coarse wool, very thick, and HEAVY. I guess it was made heavy so it would not blow away as you sped down the road at 10 MPH.



OK, I have cars that are older than this 70's era punch card card, but I think it can qualify as an artifact, even though it's something actually used in my lifetime. I have fond memories (seriously!) of writing FORTRAN programs with these things. I thought it was fun.

The bus fair thing is cool. As a kid, I thought the similar thing that was used by guys at gas stations for dispensing change was the most amazing thing ever.

But that lap robe is the coolest thing that I've seen in a while. THAT'S a piece of super interesting history. I'm going to show it to my wife. I'm sure she'll think the same.

I missed the punch-card era. I had to take Fortran in college and hated it, but in the 80s, we weren't using punch-cards.

Thanks for sharing.