American Science and Surplus

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American Science and Surplus is a seller of surplus and educational goods, many of which are odd, amusing, and/or useful. AS&S is unique among surplus retailers in that the humor contained in their catalog is a significant enticement to buy items in the catalog to continue receiving it. Items range from oscilloscopes, record-and-book read-along sets of Star Trek, a park bench shaped like a dinosaur femur, to radio-controlled rats. American Science and Surplus is known for its humorous advertising techniques and witty quips for the product descriptions in their catalog and at their stores, e.g.:

"Make Molds For Free! Just leave bread in a damp place. Or buy this plaster."
"This Russian Soviet-era microscope comes with an undetectable KGB microphone at no extra cost."
(Ad for a small plastic soap box) "Not the kind you stand on to speak at Hyde Park Corner, but the kind Moms fill with a bar of soap and send off to camp with little Paulie in the vain hope that he will wash himself."
"The computing speed of this fine abacus is considerably slower than even an old 286, but then it's guaranteed to never need rebooting."
"(Sign for package of felt) "Go home and tell your parents, I got felt at American Science & Surplus!"

1 History
2 Retail Stores
3 Slogan
4 External links
5 References

[edit] History

American Science and Surplus was founded around 1937 (No one really knows for sure.) It has existed in many forms since its original conception as a means of supplying the general public with scientific equipment. Over the years the products and ownership have changed, however many of the same items, as well as the original purpose, remain.

[edit] Retail Stores

Currently there are three American Science & Surplus retail stores. The stores offer up everything found in their catalog, as well as additional surplus items. They are located at:

Chicago, IL 5316 N. Milwaukee Avenue 773-763-0313

Geneva, IL 33W361 Route 38, 1/4 mile east of Kirk Road 630-232-2882

Milwaukee, WI 6901 W. Oklahoma 414-541-7777