A friend of mine in Niagara Falls scavenges power station amp meters and other odds and ends, and he builds modular synths and designs effects pedals as a hobby. Today's curbside free find - an original antique Edison Dictaphone.
He was amazed first of all that someone would throw this out, and secondly that the scrappers hadn't gotten to it first. After he adds a belt and restores it, this will be a showpiece in his home of audio karma.
This story made my day.