Thank you for following up!
I agree with your conclusion, this is an un-tapped area of need!
I think this is worth discussion, so I’ll jump in with some of the things we do for knowledge capture and re-use:
A document management system (SAP…ugh!) for design controls. As we say, if it’s not in SAP, it didn’t happen!
MS Outlook. Lots happens by email.
MS Sharepoint as a shared knowledge repository
A Sharepoint-based Wiki as a design-pattern repository
A department wide book library
A department wide materials/sample library
Powerpoint as a tool for knowledge capture & transfer
4x8’ Foamcor panels for stackable & mobile pinup space
Personally:
Google, because you can always ‘re find’ things
A folder structure on my PC to organize by business and active/archived project
Google Desktop Search for finding files/conversations on my PC
Picassa for images & photos on my PC
Document piles in my office, which I eventually file (and rarely go back to)