Why aren't rods wondrous items?

[Kraken]

The nightstick thread got me thinking, why do rods exist as a separate category of magic items? Other than making the craft wondrous item feat more powerful, what game ramifications would there be for suddenly merging rods into wondrous items?

[Zaq]

I think it's a legacy thing, honestly.

[HunterOfJello]

Probably a legacy thing left over from previous editions. The same thing applies to rings. You can have all sorts of other magical jewelry created through Craft Wondrous Items, but not ring.

I personally love a lot of the rods in the game.

[nedz]

I think it's a legacy thing, honestly.

Not really: the item was a Wand of Wonder in previous versions.

[SiuiS]

I think it's a legacy thing, honestly.

Yep. 'Craft wondrous item' was supposed to be the catch-all that handles whatever is left, instead of the super fantastic awesome category it is now. Mostly because you had a save against rod staff and wand.