Primary records and period evidence come first. Archived webpages and reputable contemporary reporting support them. Firsthand recollections are clearly labeled. Forums and social posts are leads or evidence of community sentiment, not sole proof of company history or technical fact.
Source hierarchy
- Company records, catalogs, patents, filings, factory material, and contemporary documentation.
- Archived company and retailer websites.
- Reputable books, magazines, newspapers, and trade publications.
- Clearly labeled firsthand recollections.
- Forums and social posts used as leads or sentiment evidence.
Uncertainty
Conflicting dates and claims remain visible in the research record. We do not infer an acquisition date, founder, “first,” or factory relationship from repeated marketing copy.
Archive use
Every archive item records its original URL, capture timestamp, page type, owner, narration purpose, and a rights note. Visual condition is reviewed separately from evidentiary value.