Ornamental Institution

“One day in 1963, a man identifying himself only as Bill telephoned Rauch from Chicago. The caller, who turned out to be a member of the family that had founded the Spiegel catalog business, wondered whether Rauch’s company could wrap shiny rayon thread around papier-mâché balls. Rauch, who died March 18 at the age of 102, had no idea why anyone would want satin spheres but was happy to try making them.” It paid off. WSJ (Gift Article): Marshall Rauch, Jewish Maker of Christmas-Tree Ornaments, Dies at 102.