100 Objects #11: Brannock Device

The Brannock Device, a metal tool for measuring foot length, width, and arch length, revolutionized shoe fitting after its 1925 invention by Charles Brannock. As a singularly focused product, it remains the industry gold standard, embodying a commitment to quality and craftsmanship that contrasts sharply with modern, opaque financial models. Journalist Paul Lukas highlights how the device’s simplicity and durability—even appearing as an improvised gas pedal in *Mad Max: Fury Road*—reflect enduring values of community and worker care. While retail chains like Payless succumbed to the destructive pressures of private equity and leveraged buyouts, the Brannock Device Company has thrived for a century by maintaining its original manufacturing standards in Syracuse. This iconic object serves as a testament to the viability of sustainable, quality-focused American manufacturing in an era often dominated by short-term shareholder value.