Technological advances have meant the tools of many trades are transient - evolving from year to year.
But in a few trades, the tools have changed little over time - and those tools have taken on their own significance.
Lake Effect’s material culture contributor, Gianofer Fields, introduced us to Wisconsin blacksmith Aaron Howard. Fields is a material culture student at UW-Madison, and she produces and curates the series, "It's A Material World." That project is funded by the Chipstone Foundation, a decorative arts foundation whose mission is preserving and interpreting their collection, as well as stimulating research and education in the decorative arts.