There seems to be more people turning wood at the lathe than any point in my lifetime....at least anecdotally, in the last 35 years of woodworking that I am acquainted with, the number of turners seems to be at its highest point? Maybe my awareness is just higher in this respect?
Regarding equipment - lathes, chucks, specialized tools, seem to be the most advanced, and available than they have ever been.
Opportunities to learn/information available - for woodturning, it seems that there is more availability through local clubs, symposiums, mentoring at prestigious schools, videos/DVD's, books, forums, internet [youtube, etc] seem to be at an all time high.
Demand for turned work- the ability to turn a hobby into a sustainable income, especially as a supplemental income in retirement.......not so sure about that one? Economic downturns, less disposable incomes for most households, higher costs of fuel, health care, etc. taking larger chunks of most peoples' resources.
Graying - the median age of most turners seem to be somewhere mid to late sixties.
Are we in woodturnings "Golden Age" now, or is it yet to come, or has it already passed us by?
Your opinion?