I started thinking about boomerangs on Tuesday and haven’t really stopped since. More than appropriate, given their cyclical nature?

While the shape of a boomerang is sublimely graceful, the instrument itself is strong and honestly kind of freaky. Born of a throwing stick, boomerangs can wipe a dude out.

The boomerang as a pattern was crazy popular in the 1950s, as evidenced by this Formica laminate… which has been reissued, by the way:

I’ve never cared much for that stomach-cramping motif, but it bears mentioning. On the flip side (get it?), I LOVE these two posters by an unknown artist for Trans-Australia Airlines, and Sebastian Lester, respectively:

And this chair, designed by architect Richard Neutra—yep, that Neutra:

And, of course, I adore the carved and painted imagery on old wooden boomerangs themselves. Dots, circles and stripes are the most prevalent patterns on these Indigenous Australian ‘rangs:

Is that an aardhog?

Truth be told, modern boomerangs are pretty kickass, too:

Please click on each image to view its original source on the ‘net. Thanks!

I’ve never had an opportunity to use their stuff, but I’m thinking that the packaging for Bumble and bumble hair products must have been a secret inspiration to me at some point.

The simple textures and handwritten text on the packaging are perfect, especially when displayed against a white background. (I have this thing for open white space… if you didn’t know.) I really like how the “Bb.” is different on each package, too, when it could have just been a recycled logo. I bet I’d enjoy their product line just as much, I mean, I can tell I would—but I’ve already spent enough on my hair for a while.

Images from Bumbleandbumble.com

I was going through my browser bookmarks earlier when I rediscovered this awesome Medieval Bestiary website. On the site are actual drawings and descriptions of plants, animals, minerals, and some human hybrids from the Middle Ages, before the characteristics of these kingdoms became common knowledge. Click on “Beasts” to see the list, and click “Gallery” on each individual page to see more drawings. One of my favorites is this 15th century whale below that sailors have mistaken for an island. Everybody looks quite agitated:

Image from The Bestiary of Anne Walsh, courtesy of The Medieval Bestiary whale gallery.