[adrianwaj]

see this: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47457874 - https://www.fossilware.tech/

Note for each item: "I remember this", "I owned one"

Also interesting for the directory would be "I made it" - for people who actually designed/built a device. Good for them to get feedback about a device (for future versions) from real users after they claim a device to be theirs. Also note the historic aspect of fossilware whereby the directory could be used as a time capsule thing too.

Another thing about keeping track of ownership is for recycling. At some point, people could opt to dispose of a device, and recyclers could be prepared for any particular unit that they hope to recycle and contact the directory to organize a return. Would that make economic sense? Perhaps it could be done on a city-by-city basis?