My mother's sarcasm when twenty years later we bought another $100 calculator. A scientific one what could do more functions than I could use on average.
Your longest-lived gizmos!
- Thread starter Peach Wookiee
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My mother's sarcasm when twenty years later we bought another $100 calculator. A scientific one what could do more functions than I could use on average.
Old electronics were generally pretty darn durable. Usually people just chucked 'em because they were obsolete. I have my NES from 1990 but it is a little flaky, however the Genesis from '93(wow almost 22) still works like new. Actually all my old game consoles still work, but I can't think of any other old electronics I've kept. I've never had a CRT TV die, I'd just upgrade to a bigger one whenever someone was getting rid of their old one. Ahh the good old days
I still have a working Nintendo Gameboy from about 1992.
Those things were built to last.
Many devices were, back then. Problem today is, manufacturers build in mechanics that are supposed to break after a certain amount of time (usually after warranty has ended) so you have to go and spend more money.
Those things were built to last.
Many devices were, back then. Problem today is, manufacturers build in mechanics that are supposed to break after a certain amount of time (usually after warranty has ended) so you have to go and spend more money.
Unshielded microwaves....this explains much
I have a 70's era calculator around that still works, my Dad used to carry it in his briefcase, which I also have.
I have a working Merlin, though I bought that a few years ago on ebay.
The oldest thing I know I still have (since the calculator is small enough to overlook in the stuff that was stored) is my portable record player. Next would be my portable tape recorder (audio) that taped all the Classic Doctor Who episodes from Hartnell to McCoy.
.
. Hate it.
I can probably think of other examples if I set my mind to it, but the one that immediately springs to mind is a cheap Mortal Combat digital watch I got out of a box of cereal. Because my car at the time did not have a clock (it didn't even have a radio, lol), I stuck this watch on my rearview mirror, thinking that it would last a couple months. It lasted like ten years, even during hot-as-hell summer days when the liquid crystal display would melt into an all-black mess just to go back to telling the time flawlessly when it got cooler.
Mine:
-A Sony Walkman cassette player with FM/AM radio from the early '80s that still works like new.
-A JVC VCR from the early '80s. This also still works like its new, even though it actually has been used almost daily for around 30 years.
-Two 20+ year old electric typewriters.
-My 20-year old Toyota Corolla with a stereo tape deck.
-A Sony Walkman cassette player with FM/AM radio from the early '80s that still works like new.
-A JVC VCR from the early '80s. This also still works like its new, even though it actually has been used almost daily for around 30 years.
-Two 20+ year old electric typewriters.
-My 20-year old Toyota Corolla with a stereo tape deck.
I found a rotary princess phone that I know is 1970s vintage... It still works.
My washer and dryer are Maytags from the late 1950s, and they still work fine. My basement beer fridge is also from the 1950s.
I have a 12" black and white TV set from 1983 that still works, but I don't know what to do with it anymore. I have a Magnavox VCR from 1988. Same deal there.
My microwave is from 1990. One of my cars is from 1976 and is in practically showroom condition.
So yeah, I have a thing for antiques.
I have a 12" black and white TV set from 1983 that still works, but I don't know what to do with it anymore. I have a Magnavox VCR from 1988. Same deal there.
My microwave is from 1990. One of my cars is from 1976 and is in practically showroom condition.
So yeah, I have a thing for antiques.
I really miss my Smith-Corona electric typewriter. That thing paid for itself many times over, given all the stuff I did on it from paid jobs to RPG gaming material, to newsletters for the local Star Trek and SCA groups.
On the last episode of The Amazing Race (on Friday) one team had to do a typing task involving manual typewriters. One of the people had no idea how the carriage return worked, or that it even existed.
I had an older phone - a rather heavy one, of the sort people used to use in old cop shows when they decided the murder weapon would be the telephone receiver. I gave it away to someone who was into that kind of thing (old phones, not murder).
It's rather unpleasant having something from my teen/high school/college years described as an "antique."
Typewriters are one piece of superseded technology that I don't miss in the slightest. I always hated using those clunky, messy machines.
Did the person think that big lever on the left side of the carriage was for decoration?
The oldest piece I have is a Nikon FM camera, purchased in 1977. Still works, although I don't use it any more.
I have a disco mirrorball. Does that count as a gizmo? 
I have a disco mirrorball. Does that count as a gizmo?
You bet your sweet bippy, it does!!
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