Ruling Pens, Grease Pencils, and the Case for Better Old Tech

When a self-proclaimed tech guy falls for a 400-year-old ruling pen, it raises a fascinating question: what did the past just do better? This episode explores the line between functional antiques and sentimental collectibles — from grease pencils that write on oil to cast iron skillets that are lighter and smoother than modern ones. We examine the golden era of manufacturing (roughly 1880-1960) when machining was mature but planned obsolescence hadn't taken over, and explain how to spot tools that are genuinely superior to their modern counterparts. Plus: why vinyl records don't belong in the same category as ruling pens, and how market inefficiencies let users buy better tools for less than their modern equivalents.