Good design history depends on careful attribution, useful context and a willingness to say when the evidence is incomplete.
Research hierarchy
- Archives, museum records and original manufacturer literature
- Scholarly books, exhibition catalogues and reputable design histories
- Contemporary journalism and specialist interviews
- Dealer, auction and marketplace descriptions as leads requiring verification
Attribution language
Use documented, attributed to, probably by, in the manner of and unknown maker deliberately. Do not present a visual match as provenance.
Corrections
Material corrections should be dated and explained at the end of the article. Quietly fixing a typographical error does not require a note.