This afternoon, probably for the first time since the mid-90's, I installed a cup and cone bottom bracket. With the advent of the "cartridge" bottom bracket assembly, we mechanics no longer needed to worry about bearings, adjustable cups, lock rings, etc. It was a step forward. However, while not exactly an "art", there was a certain amount of skill necessary to install a cup and cone BB, and no small rewarding feeling when you're all done and have the crankarms tightened that you have achieved that smooth-spinning sweet spot between binding and play. I was glad to see that I hadn't lost my touch.