Merchandise Spotlight-Galileo's Thermometer (1,026 words)

Galileo's thermometer is difficult to describe, let alone image, in a catalog. Following, you will find descriptions of how six different catalogers solved the puzzle of how to turn a glass tube filled with liquid into one of the hottest gift items of the 1998 holiday season.

Plow and Hearth

The Plow and Hearth catalog, as its name implies, features home products, with some apparel, food and gardening equipment thrown in. The catalog creates a warm, "homey" atmosphere, with products that make your house a home— equipment for the fireplace, so you can have a roaring fire; flannel bedding for a cozy bed; and soup to warm your belly on a cold day.