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    • Front view of The Whole Earth Catalog front cover from the early 1970s.

    The Last Whole Earth Catalog

    Long before Google, The Whole Earth Catalog, created by Stewart Brand in the late 1960s, served as a compendium of tools, ideas, and resources for self-sufficient living and experimentation. Ray and Charles Eames admired the publication for its wide-ranging curiosity and practical approach to problem-solving. They kept a stack in their office, sharing them with visitors, colleagues, and even their grandchildren⁠—reflecting their enduring interest in accessible knowledge and the creative potential of everyday tools. This particular sample is titled The Last Whole Earth Catalog, which was intended to be the final, comprehensive edition of the series.

    Artifact
    A.2019.2.3980
    Materials
    Paper, ink
    Dimensions
    14 ½ × 10 ¼ in
    36.8 × 26 cm
    Date
    1971–1972
    Front view of The Whole Earth Catalog back cover from the early 1970s.