The History Of Indy Gear Part 5

---

Michael French's  history of "IndyGear", a website and organization that's partly responsible for bringing fedora's and the Spirit of Adventure back into the Mainstream of Popular Culture, inspired by the Indiana Jones movies. Part I, "The Dark Ages"...

“Between the time when the oceans drank Atlantis, and the rise of Club Obi-Wan, there was an age undreamed of. And unto this, came Indiana Jones, destined to wear the rumpled fedora of Herbert Johnson upon a troubled brow. It is I, his Chronicler, who alone can tell thee of his saga. Let me tell you of the days of high adventure!”

This is for all of you. Many of you know who you are, many might be surprised to see your name here. Either way, all of you are the reasons I stayed with Indyfan and joined Club Obi-Wan. Were it not for your friendship and generosity, IndyGear would have just been an online encyclopedia for me. You are all THE BEST.

To MK – For your extreme generosity, sincere friendship, your unwavering integrity, and saving me from complete isolation in California. I am your eternal friend.

To Patterson – I’ll always be grateful and hate you at the same time for all that Peters Bros. advice that led me to my first and last PB. Just kidding, Patterson!

To Sergei – For all the laughs, great conversation, whip advice, that ride to the airport, and giving and putting a new fall on my David Morgan. And yeah, that same fall is still on it as I type.

To Michaelson – For all the great chat room talk at the old IndyGear, all the great advice, and the good times at QM II.

To Koreana Jones and Indiana Dan – Wherever you guys are, stay out of trouble and thanks for all the laughs and great friendship. You guys are the best.

To Rundquist – For my Akubra Federation and saving me from the Peters Bros. beast.

To West – For all those late night IM chats about jackets, hats, and life in general over the years.

To Stephen and Carrie – You two are an unforgettable benchmark in my life. I hope I see you both again very soon.

To ITG – There are no words. Anyone who has met you knows how speechlessly amazing you are. Thanks for everything. You’re one in a million.

To Fedora – For putting up with all my hat questions.

To Rabbittooth – For the avatar I’ve been using for years now and his continual generosity at Club Obi-Wan.

To NeosMatrix – You never stopped calling and making me laugh, and you were brave enough to take that Peters Bros. from me. That makes you a God among lesser men.

To Agent5 – Thanks for all the great conversation, gear talk, and memories at DragonCon 2004.

To Renderking Fisk – The kind of guy you feel like you’ve known personally for a hundred years even though you’ve never met him. Thanks for all the enthusiasm.

To Minnesota Jones – For sharing that rare enthusiasm for Temple of Doom with me.

To Lee Keppler – Without whom I never would have met Stephen and Carrie.

To Indiana Ken – For all those zany QM II moments and great conversations.

To Mmarosy – For the continually excellent moderation of the club.

To Chamorro – Wherever you are, take care.

To The Edge – For assuring me that my David Morgan was A-OK.

To Williamson – For reminding me to stay involved at IndyGear here in the East.

To Indydawg – Thanks for all those jacket photos.

To Dalexs – For all the hat talk and jokes at QM II.

To PrettyBigGuy – For the good times at QM II.

To Dr. J – For all the kind words.

To Jonesy – Enjoy that EC Whip!

And finally, to all of the new faces here at Club Obi-Wan who barely know me. I intended to come back just for a while and try and locate some old friends and get some advice, but I found that after trading messages with members like Snakewhip, Guybrush, Canyon, Flattery, Feraud, Farnham, Elodie, Binkmeister, Hemingway, ob1al, 3thousandbucks, RelicHunter, IndyBlues, Swindiana, Andiana, Band Director, Bufflehead, Jerry, Pagey, Strider, Demented Wookiee, and all the rest of you, it really was worth it to stick around again. Thanks for convincing me to come back.

With the highest regards to you all,

Michael David "Indy" French – (no relation to the nation)