Wow-just mention a prize and what happens? We awaken the gene pool of the parsimonious.
Welcome to all newbies–this is the place where John (that would be me) reinforces the fact that really cool tools come from the smallest of minds.
For the last 17 years we have produced one tool we pledge never to duplicate again. This series annually commemorates our incredible, ongoing relationship with our best customers. Commemorative tools are only offered to our Founder’s Circle members–the tent pole of Bridge City Tool Works.
If possible, we add a symbol of luck by embedding a United States penny in each edition and I am pleased to share that Commemorative Tool #17 will not be penniless.
When I sit down to design a commemorative tool I have a copy of Alfred Dunhill’s maxim in front of me which states;
“It must be useful, it must work dependably, it must be beautiful, it must last, it must be the best of it’s kind”.
That quote is a tough taskmaster and I encourage you, and anybody and everybody who makes things to consider adopting it before beginning the next project.
Nobody knows what the tool will be until I am finished. (Oops, that is a lie, I do tell Louie dog and Jitter dog–both of whom have been easily sworn to silence with a Milk-Bone.) Our customers are typically notified 1-3 days after our staff–it is a fun tradition here and the announcement is highly anticipated by our customers. These tools have always been about showcasing the art of toolmaking and as such, there have never been any restrictions in the process–each tool is what it is and cost what it costs without a single thought to market potential. Whether we sell 100 or 3000, it doesn’t matter.
This year however, things are a little different. We had a visitor in January who is an active participant in the online woodworking community (name rhymes with Peter Franks) who saw one of the stereo lithography models sitting on my desk that I used to quantify/verify ergonomics. The cat bailed from the bag.
So, we decided to have some fun this year on my blog (you all really have better things to do I hope…) by inviting guesses as to what we are going to produce leading up to the April 15th announcement date.
As with all treasure type hunts, the clues start out vague/difficult and get easier as they progress. That said, don’t forget; “It must be useful, it must work dependably, it must be beautiful, it must last, it must be the best of it’s kind”.
Let’s review;
Clue #1 was an abstract close-up. It reveals the presence of stainless steel.
Clue #2 was an abstract image titled “There is Beauty in Numbers” and invited an answer as to why the image was incredibly useful to me.
As you read through the posts, you will learn that a Bridge City sleuth correctly deduced that the image was a graphical representation of data (numbers), hence “There is Beauty in Numbers”. I don’t think it is even remotely possible to guess what this tool is at this point. One inquiring mind suggested the lines represented a linkage and perhaps he is correct–if he were to assemble it correctly…
The “guesses” have been insightful and humorous–looking at the image and deducing that we are going to make a “smelt net” is a bit out there–and a big thanks to Cooter Ditchman for that jewel.
Clue #3 offered four words, Sierra, Papa, Zinc, Foxtrot as the reason why the numbers are important to me–not you. Between a couple of tool detectives, all aspects of this clue have been correctly uncovered but have yet to be correctly assembled….
Clue #4 (Use this clue to decipher clue 3)
“To move, you cannot remain still.”
Clue #5 (which will be announced this Thursday) will be an actual part of Commemorative Tool #17 for you to ponder.
So the question still remains, why are these numbers important to me–not you. And by figuring this out, you will be on your way to ultimately identifying what this tool is no sooner than next Wednesday if I have my way!
Remember, in order to win a prize, you can’t just be hot, you have to be really hot to win a “Whoppie in Woolies” award.
–John
