My grandfather had similar collections. Of anything potentially useful.

I don’t believe in his case it was primarily due to neurodivergence but rather a depression-era childhood.

Could he afford a weed whacker? Yes, but he made one from an old vacuum, even in the 80s/90s. And so on.

Their lives started in poverty and they killed Nazis and we dishonour them horribly when they are barely cold. Especially America.