Consider that 1955 was the introductory year of canned Coca-Cola, TV dinners, seat belts and the opening of Disneyland; the same year Lehman said, "My idea was to preserve the past for future generations."

The catalog features gadgets for purifying, locating, drilling and operating home water systems, whether collecting water from lakes and streams or deep or shallow wells or cisterns. "Drill a well in one afternoon," Lehman's advertises.

Next are heating appliances, for warmth or cooking. The wood stoves have names like "The Sweetheart," "Baker's Choice," and my favorite, "The Pioneer Princess." A heat-powered fan is available to sit on top of your wood stove to redistribute warm air, "reduce hot and cold spots in your room with little trouble and no extra energy."