Gadgets for Geeks

I was describing my new series to someone, and they asked about where I get my ideas. Any regular reader will know that it's one of my favorite topics, but indulge me here, please. This took a fun turn to geekdom!

I told them that kinda like the classic TV show Law & Order, my stories are gently removed from the headlines. I'm a history nerd and proud of it. Once I determined my characters' round-the-world trip, I started looking for historical events (especially crimes) from countries with ports. If you look for "Unsolved mysteries of Norway," for example, you'll find a story of the Isdal Woman, whose body was found in 1970, but whose real identity has never been established. I found a bunch of great things to work with, but wow, there's some creepy stuff out there.

Step two to my research is more random. I see little tidbits online and say, "hm, that would work in story X." So I make a note or take a picture and work it in. And some of them are such wild things I get giddy just looking at them. Here are just a few.

A 1920s GPS system. You could buy little scrolls and feed them into a wristwatch-like device. Then, as you made your way, you could scroll through it, and it would keep updating your route.

Bootlegger shoes- Bootleggers during Prohibition made special shoes with cow hooves on them. In a time when cows and farming were more common, it was a quick and easy way to hide your footprints.

Claw gloves- long black gloves because she's a Victorian-era lady. Claws because it was a rough time to be alive!

An early research machine- long before I could have had too many tabs open on my laptop, the Bookwheel allowed researchers to keep up to eight books open and available. Invented by Italian engineer Agostino Romelli in 1588, I can only tip my hat in admiration.

Will I use them all? Or any of them? I really don't know. I hope so, but I won't know until I'm in the particular story. Even if I don't use them, my world is better for knowing these types of things exist.