The Material Review
Issue 125: Stone Tools, Martini Black Book, Last Tango in Tahiti, Indian Pizza, Bothies, Texas High School Football, Cola Wars in Space, Wide-Leg Trousers and Spotlight On: Labour and Wait.
Stories worth reading. Stop indexing the internet.
Should you make stone tools?
The Martini Black Book
“An updated list with 207 of my personal favorites from around the world” [The WM Brown Weekly]
LAST TANGO IN TAHITI
“AT FIRST, IT WAS JUST ANOTHER EXOTIC ASSIGNMENT FIND MARLON BRANDO. BUT THE WORLDWIDE SEARCH FOR THE LEGENDARY STAR…SOON BECAME A QUEST, AND FINALLY AN OBSESSION” [WaPo]
The Quintessentially American Story of Indian Pizza
“In the eighties, a Punjabi immigrant bought an old Italian restaurant in San Francisco. The dish he pioneered became a phenomenon.” [The New Yorker]
How the shepherd’s hut became the last word in luxury
“Clean air, solitude... somewhere to dry your socks. One writer walks the Welsh mountains to find out why bothies are the best” [FT]
A Tiny Texas High School Football Team Hasn’t Won a Game in Years. They’re Not Giving Up.
“The Fort Hancock Mustangs were once state champions, but now they're struggling to break the wrong kind of streak.” [TexasMonthly]
The First Soda in Space: When NASA Got Caught Up in the Cola Wars
“In the summer of 1985, NASA, the Reagan White House and seven talented astronauts were wrangled into an orbital battle over soft-drink supremacy.” [NYT]
How Traditional Tailors (Finally) Learned to Love Wide-Leg Trousers
“The style pendulum is swinging away from the slim-fit trouser. How wide should you go?” [Robb Report]
A shortlist of things we’ve got our eye on.
Bedrock Sandals - Mountain Clog Obsidian Dark Gray
Hemingway on Fishing
Patagonia Recycled Wool-Blend Rugby Sweater
Freenote Cloth Benton Pant Khaki
G.H. Bass X Buck Mason Larson Loafer
Labour and Wait
Rowac-Schemel Steel
Laundry Soap Bar
The Marlinspike Sailor
Workwear Gilet
Welsh Tapestry Blanket Red
Dry Measure
Classifieds
Welcome to our weekly “Classifieds” section of the newsletter. The idea is to find an easy way to promote things happening in our ecosystem. Think of this space to promote your eBay shop, event, newsletter, app, book, tool or your personal brand (if you must). Drop us a line at if you’re interested in buying an item in an upcoming issue. Price: $200 for four ads. Maximum 280 character per ad.
🩴 des américains
Mesdames et messieurs, l’été n’est jamais terminé. Inspired by '70s and '80s sporting style, retro-thick des américains thong sandals are handcrafted in Maine with the finest materials for unsurpassed comfort and durability. New styles, colorways, and more at desamericains.com.
🛒 Alfargo’s Marketplace
Sep. 26-27. Friday 6-10pm, Saturday 11-6pm. Moxy Williamsburg. 353 Bedford Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11211
Featuring Kamakura Shirts, Wooden Sleepers among others.