Going, Going, Gone: Baseball Players

 To be specific, Baseball Players Who Stay with One Team

Odd that this a nostalgic thing, as players were traded even back in the day. The article actually goes into better detail about player's salaries. Up until 1969 things weren't exactly in the player's favor in regards of pay.

But yeah, players would be traded even during the starting days of the league. I can see the advantage of a player staying with one team, building up an audience as it were. 

I'd say this isn't Going or Gone, nor is it in any danger of disappearing. Some players will go with a different team and others won't.   

Going, Going, Gone: Balsa Wood Model Airplanes

 Moving into the third chapter and also the B section. Balsa wood model airplanes is the focus, and again this is something I would be hesitant to label as 'vanishing Americana'.

They still exist, albeit as a more niche market item. The chapter goes into a good history of the item, from their origins in World War II to their decline in the late 50's with the advent of plastic. 

I've had a few balsa wood planes as a youth, although most of the models I played with were the foam patterns. I've seen the fancier versions with gas engines but frankly those were always out of my price range. I can get the nostalgia over a toy though.  

Going, Going, Gone: Automat

Since I had some time, I'd figure I'd take a look at the second chapter of Going, Going, Gone. This chapter takes a look at a New York landmark, the Automat.

The first automat was opened in Germany in 1895. A forerunner to a cafeteria, people walked in, handed over some change and got food.

The first one in America opened in Philadelphia in 1902 before one opened in New York City in 1912. From there it was a smash sensation. For 5 cents you could get a full meal. A neat idea and I can see the popularity.

Admittedly I can see how the concept was utterly crushed by the arrival of modern vending machines.   A good concept lost to progress, although apparently a start up tried to bring the concept back in 2007.

Could it come back? I don't think so. Vending machines can offer much the same. I've seen the spinning models that offer cheeseburgers. I think the variety offered would be cool, but for food on the go I think most people would settle for a bar and a soda.

Going, Going, Gone: The American Elm

So, first chapter of a new feature.

The American Elm