November 13, 2014
1 min read
Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAm20 Vintage Gadgets from Scientific American Readers [Slide Show]
Those who responded to our call for images of obscure, obsolete devices did not disappoint. Here are our favorites
By Larry Greenemeier
Last month Scientific American asked its readers to send in digital pictures of their favorite gadgets from bygone eras. You responded with dozens of photos and anecdotes revealing which devices you’ve held onto and why, and we’re grateful for each and every one.
Responses ran the gamut—calculators (lots of calculators); obscure personal computers (many of those, too); music recorders and players; digital storage devices; and a handheld arcade video game, to name a few. What’s more, many of these gadgets appear to still be in working order despite years and even decades of use. Narrowing down our list was no easy task but several interesting items—including a 1915 Victor Victrola, some slide rules and number of HP calculators—had to be excluded to make the slide show below more manageable.
Without further adieu, here is a slide show featuring 20 of our readers’ favorite vintage gadgets.
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