Before the Internet and Google was the &quot;Whole Earth Catalog&quot;.  Published from 1968 to 1972 by Stewart Brand, this amazing book listed everything deemed &quot;useful as a tool, relevant to independent education, of high quality and/or low cost, and easily available by mail&quot;.  It was a work of art in itself and considered a &quot;bible&quot; of inspiration by folks like Steve Jobs.