When this thread started, I told a carpenter friend about it and he
laughed, "If anyone asked me for the most important tool in my tool-kit,
I'd say it was a dumb question. I've got a dozen different most
important tools." He wondered if museum work is simpler than carpentry.
I smiled enigmatically.
    BTW, I thought all historians and mathematicians knew that the 21st
century and the new millennium begin on Jan. 1, 2001, not 2000. (That
pesky old no-year-zero problem.) Or count to 3000 & determine where the
third thousand begins--I'll join the 1999 New Year's party, but 2000's
will be the real Millennium party in my book.
    I think the definitive research on most important museum tool of the
21st century must begin on Jan. 1, 2101, if we want historical
perspective. --David Haberstich