[Dr. Sivana]

However, a wrench could be found in a future time, for any number of ordinary reasons.

While I do not believe that adjustable wrenches were around 300 years ago, hammers were. I guarantee that no 300 year-old hammer, if restored to new condition, would look like something you could have picked up at the Home Depot. There might be Coke machines 300 years in the future, too. But if a model that looked EXACTLY like one from the 21st century showed up in the ship's commissary, that would be anachronistic as well. Everyday objects that have lasted for centuries are typically rendered differently in the Star Trek universe, while keeping those attributes that make them recognizeable (e.g. chairs, clothing, doors, lighting fixtures).

My guess is the prop man was charged with coming up with something recognizable that could be used as a weapon in a fist fight, and he came up with that, and no one could find anything better.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

Good points — I concede on denotation; but still disagree on connotation.

Everything is traveling in time —so far, in one direction only. The examples you give can all be explained within the bounds of today's known science and tech. To pick an easy one; some old coke machines will likely become collectors items & some of them will be lovingly restored.

Meanwhile, it remains impossible to move backwards in time. When objects from a (relative) future appear in a scene set in the present, that's clearly a mistake. One we call an anachronism. Those are the sorts of anachronism we rightly criticize.

I completely agree with your last point. TOS operated on a shoestring budget for effects and props.