5. Knickknacks For The Rich And Famous

Now for one of my favorite vendors, Hammacher Schlemmer (HS). HS was started in New York City back in 1848 by two German immigrants. At that time the Company sold tools and other hardware for the quickly growing construction industry. By the 1920s HS had added luxury household items to its wares. As time passed the Company was the first to feature new technology items such as steam irons, electric shavers, pop-up toasters and microwave ovens. Today, though it also sells a large number of reasonably priced products, HS is a repository of high-end goods most easily afforded by the wealthy.

All images and quoted text in this section courtesy of Hammacher Schlemmer or the copyright holder.

Levitating For A Price

Looking for a little fun? Try the Levitating Hover Scooter.

Here’s what HS has to say in part about the Scooter: "Hailed by The New York Times as a "miniature flying saucer with handlebars, the hover scooter provides an unprecedented experience in personal transportation, levitating inches above the ground and speeding a single rider across level land on a cushion of air. Gentle lift from an engine-powered fan elevates the scooter off the ground, and a stream of air exiting a vent in the back provides light forward thrust. Learning to ride the scooter takes less than five minutes, and no previous skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, or other experience is required."

Ready, set, get out your credit card. Price? $16,999.95.