We all know Benjamin Franklin was responsible for a wide range of inventions and accomplishments, from the lightning rod to bifocal eyeglasses, but few are aware that he is also credited with introducing one of the boons and banes of modern life — the mail-order catalogue.

The year was 1744, and in the succeeding generation and a half, the catalogue of general merchandise would play a major role in making the latest appliances, tools, toys, clothing and other items accessible to ...

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