Cool Tools: Sharing our Favorites

You may be aware of the Cool Tools site, where only the best tools of all types are reviewed and featured. The site was begun by Kevin Kelly, founding editor of Wired and The Whole Earth Catalog.

The Whole Earth Catalog was a tome of information, originally published in 1968. It had content that was particularly influential to individuals in the tech world and counterculture. It was always somewhere in my house as a kid, and I’m delighted to hear that Cool Tools is now being printed in the tradition of The Whole Earth Catalog.

I was recently able to attend a meeting at Kevin Kelly’s studio, where he talked about the new book, and attendees from varied backgrounds (including David Lang of OpenROV) brought some of their own favorite tools. Kevin’s studio itself is marvelous– the high ceilings are stacked to the brim with books, and an upper level deck has a plexiglass floor. His desk is festooned with all manner of scientific bric-a-brac, including a partition made of solid Lego brick.

Cool Tools will be available for purchase on December 9th. If you’d like to see video of the entire meeting (including myself demonstrating my favorite wire strippers at around 1:42) check it out on this Hangout on Air. Also take a look below at some shots of Kevin’s studio and what people brought to share.

Cool Tools publisher Kevin Kelly shows a crab snare, sort of an inside-out trap.

This tent pole was modified and used when a camera drone operator couldn’t make it to the gig.

This is a fast-food type syrup dispenser that comes in handy for doling out codensed milk when making Vietnamese coffee.

Gary brought his rolls of contractors’ tape, a tool that is always waiting to be grabbed for all manner of things.

This is the “Big Round Calendar” that plots an entire year in a new perspective.

A view from the second level of Kevin’s studio.

Kevin’s workspace. Not pictured is his pet tarantula.