ANDREW J. GREENE

‘Takin’ Care of Business’ was written by Randy Bachman and released by Canadian rock band Bachman-Turner Overdrive in 1973, becoming a hit single in 1974. Its lyrics contrast the routines of salaried work with the life of a self-employed musician.

The .357 Magnum is an electric hairdryer produced by Jerdon Industries in 1982 in the shape of a Western-style revolver. Its trigger and hammer operate the controls, while heated air is discharged through the barrel.The cornucopia, or “horn of plenty,” originated in ancient Greek mythology as a symbol of abundance. Traditionally depicted as a horn overflowing with fruit and grain, it later became associated with harvest celebrations and American Thanksgiving.The Flambeau Pond Swan Decoy (Model 5889LO) is a life-size plastic predator decoy designed to deter nuisance geese and other waterfowl from ponds and water gardens.

Yes Man and Whipping Boy (also called the Whiner Doll) are voice-activated novelty toys produced by Rau Creations, an Indiana based toy company, in 1991. The desktop figures respond to speech with prerecorded phrases: Yes Man offers agreement and flattery, while Whipping Boy apologises and accepts blame.

Vine American Party Supply is a Hollywood party supply store established in 1934. It sells costumes, balloons, seasonal decorations, and paper goods for birthdays, weddings, and other occasions.

The Budweiser ‘Clydesdale Parade’ light fixture was produced in 1969 and given to bars selling large volumes of Budweiser beer. A miniature procession of eight Clydesdales, a delivery wagon, two drivers, and five Dalmatians rotates around an illuminated Budweiser sign beneath a transparent globe.

The running horse is a cast aluminium ornament sold for use on fences, gates, and doors. Supplied as a separate component with embedded steel tabs, it can be welded into the surrounding metalwork.

Yes/No decision coins are novelty tokens marked ‘Yes’ on one side and ‘No’ on the other. Sold as gifts and desk accessories, they are tossed to determine an answer by chance.

Courtesy The Modern Institute.