Multi-copy: copying an object with slight changes

I have a basic geometry, how can I copy it and maintain the ability to slightly modify it in every new copy?

I currently have a lofted cylinder that I would like to be slightly different in each copy. So far I have tried copying (crtl + C) and dragging the copied definition to a clear spot on the canvas and then altered each new copy this way. This has however created a large number of very similar definitions that are getting hard to navigate...

Is there a cleaner way to make multiple copies of one geometry but maintain the ability to alter them individually?

Thanks for any help!