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From a letter penned by John Adams to Abigale Adams on July 3rd, 1776, a day after the earlier vote to declare independence…

The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.” (The Book of Abigail and John: Selected Letters of the Adams Family, 1762-1784, Harvard University Press, 1975, 142)

Happy Independence Day from JTT.

I recently came across the idea of embodied cognition – the theory that touch and other senses play a large role, perhaps the only role, in the nature of our minds and even our very consciousness. I am not about to head down the road of any sort of new age philosophy but it certainly seems obvious that we were created to respond to certain sensations like weight and warmth which is why these ideas are being explored in more practical ways in fields like product design.

As I was reading a blog article that related the concept to design, I couldn’t help but think about some shooters I know and maybe even myself who, at times, seem to be almost irrationally attached to certain firearms. The article mentions how our perceptions change when we are holding something weighty or warm (among other sensations and feelings). I wonder if this plays at least a small part in why some people seem to have a near irrational attachment to certain firearms.

Maybe, at some subconscious level, we can’t help but love blued steel and walnut stocks. Maybe, this explains why firearms like the 1911 have such staying power. Maybe this might explain some shooter’s hesitance to accept plastic firearm components. I don’t have any concrete answers for you but it is a very interesting concept to try to plummet.

You will hear me trumpet small, custom gear makers frequently here on JTT in large part because of the advantages of working with them. They can do things that larger makers can’t, like help bring your idea to life. However, the best ones also use their expertise to help hone your design into something truly useful.

Jon at PHLster recently released a thoughtful video that talks through the intricacies of the customer/maker relationship. He speaks to the moral dilemma that many makers find themselves in when approaching these types of custom jobs and the obligations of the maker to deliver a useable product. I know makers are approached with off the wall ideas all the time. It is interesting to see how at least one established craftsman approaches these situations.

From America the Beautiful…

O beautiful for heroes proved

In liberating strife.

Who more than self their country loved

And mercy more than life!

Thank you to those who loved country and mercy more than self and life. We are forever in your debt.