Thread by @textfiles

I finished scanning the Summer 1990 DAK Catalog. The Archive also has other scans I've done of 1984, 1987, and 1988. You either know about these catalogs or you absolutely don't. I'll just quickly mention why they're so meaningful.

Here's some links to read and download them on the Archive: archive.org/details/1988-W… archive.org/details/1987-E… archive.org/details/1984-F…
archive.org/details/DAK_Ca…

The DAK Catalogs are grey-market electronics catalogs with straightforward gadgets and technology you could order. Think copiers, audio devices, speed radar jammers, handheld electronics, lights... what you might see for sale in the discount electronics part of a department store

What makes them different is that Drew Alan Kaplan (DAK) would write extremely lurid and intense copy for these items. He'd write them according to a tried and true template, which does work, and he'd sound empathetic except you'd realize that hand on your shoulder was a grip.

Do not make the mistake of thinking these didn't hit their mark - hundreds were employed by DAK at its peak and it can reasonably be credited with the wide adoption of Subwoofer speakers, which DAK promoted mercilessly.

For a whole set of people, these are the basic readable versions of late-night commercials/infomericals or being dragged into an extended sales pitch by a salesman on the floor. Read and enjoy from a safe distance, since you can't possibly pull your credit card out and get these.