American Science and Surplus

American Science and Surplus is a seller of surplus and educational goods, many of which are obscure or odd. AS&S is also known for its humorous, hand drawn catalogs. Items range from oscilloscopes to reproduction fossils, Soviet military surplus parts and radio-controlled toy rats. Some examples of recent humorous entries include:

• "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 plastic soap box) "Not the kind you stand on to speak at Hyde Park Corner, but the kind Mom fills 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 again, it's guaranteed to never need rebooting."

History

American Science and Surplus was founded "around 1937." It has existed in many forms since its original conception as a means of supplying the general public with scientific equipment. Over the years many of the same products, as well as the store's original purpose, remain.

Retail Stores

Currently there are three American Science & Surplus retail stores, located in Chicago and Geneva in Illinois and in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The stores offer a much wider inventory than the catalogs.

External links

• sciplus.com