193 Items Tagged

Retro-tech

Early On-Demand Music Streaming Required Lots of Nickels

In the Pacific Northwest 70-plus years ago, a telephone-based jukebox connected callers to their favorite tunes.

Michelle Harris November 10, 2021

Stanley, North Dakota

Whirla-Whip Ice Cream

The pharmacy's retro ice cream mixer is one of the last of its kind.

Measure Your Day in Mechanical Clacks

Our favorite retro timepiece keeps wasted minutes in check.

Eric Grundhauser February 28, 2018

objects of intrigue

The Selenophone, a Short-Lived, Highly Flammable Sound-Recording System

In an exhibit honoring the work of conductor Arturo Toscanini, there's an odd slice of recording technology.

Ashawnta Jackson December 8, 2017

retrofuturistic

Jim Henson Wanted to Free Us From Paperwork

In his short film from 1967, the famed Muppet-maker welcomes workers to a paper-free future.

Ashawnta Jackson November 17, 2017

retrofuturistic

Inside Connecticut's Secret Museum of Retro-Future Oddities

Robots, rockets, and UFOs are all hiding in a quaint New England barn.

Eric Grundhauser November 13, 2017

Permanently Closed

Reykjavik, Iceland

Freddi Arcade & Toys Museum

A vintage video game wonderland in downtown Reykjavik.

The Revolution Was Televised, Thanks to This 25-Pound Video Rig

In the 1970s, the Portapak gave a voice to outsiders and changed media forever.

Ashawnta Jackson November 3, 2017

Boulder, Colorado

Media Archaeology Lab

A research lab and hands-on museum where visitors can experiment with retro technology.

Stoke Heath, England

National Telephone Kiosk Collection

An ode to the classic piece of British street furniture.

Overland Park, Kansas

1950s All-Electric House

This retro-future model home is packed to the gills with electrical oddities.

Seattle, Washington

Add-a-Ball Bar and Arcade

A (slightly) grownup take on the classic retro arcade.

Permanently Closed

New York, New York

Babycastles

A DIY art gallery/music venue/lecture hall dedicated to video game culture.

Coraopolis, Pennsylvania

Fraley's Robot Repair

A retrofuturistic art installation in the Pittsburgh Airport.

Permanently Closed

Rockville, Maryland

Museum of Outdated Technology

The shelves in the back of this thrift store are devoted to saving, not selling, retro tech.

The Voder, the First Machine to Create Human Speech

It spoke like a creepy demon.

Eric Grundhauser January 16, 2017

London, England

Novelty Automation

A tongue-in-cheek arcade where the games are based on everyday life.

Why Don't They Make Alarms Like This Anymore?

They are pretty cool-looking.

Sarah Laskow November 8, 2016