Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — November 26, 2025

On November 26th, 1716, a tamed African lion was exhibited for the first time in the American colonies by Captain Arthur Savage at his house on Brattle Street, in Boston, Massachusetts. — November 26th is the birthday of both gun inventor Eugene Reising (born 1884, died February 21, 1967) and the late Barton Biggs (born 1932, died July 14, 2012). Biggs was a money manager known for his pro-preparedness stance. — Today’s feature article is by JWR. — We have room for just one or two entries in Round 121 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $970,000 worth …




Kanban: America’s Ubiquitous “Just in Time” Inventory System: A Fragile House of Cards

JWR’s Introductory Note: This is an update to an article that I wrote for SurvivalBlog in February, 2007. It is part of a series of SurvivalBlog 20th Anniversary update re-posts, in recognition of the fact that the majority of readers did not join us until recent years. — When I give lectures or do radio interviews, I’m often asked for examples when I mention that “we live in a fragile society.” Here is one prime example: kanban. The kanban or “just in time” inventory control system was developed in Japan, and became popular in America starting in the 1970s. It …




SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

Our weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. Pictured above is the headquarters building of the BATFE. — President Trump Nominates Robert Cekada to Head ATF. The article includes a key quote from Knox Williams, president and executive director of the American Suppressor Association: “If confirmed, he would be the first ever truly pro-Second Amendment nominee to head the agency. By nominating …