Whether television, radio or telephone: Many of today’s products are equipped with a multitude of new functions and improvements that were not available fifty years ago. And as good as that is, the disadvantage is obvious: the more a device can do, the more it can break. And in the age of microchips and semiconductors, very few can repair anything themselves.
The strangest videos. (Scroll down to the article.)
It was completely different even earlier, when everything was built more simply and apparently more durable, as the following pictures show. The BBC reporter has on Twitter Zoe Kleinman asked other users to do soto share their oldest gadgets and tools that are still working and in use. One even dates from the first half of the 19th century!
1. “It belonged to my grandmother, a toaster. Years ago I saw an exact copy of it in the design museum – the sign said it was produced in the 1920s, which would fit. My grandmother married in 1925. Still works perfectly. “
This was my grandma’s toaster. I saw an exact copy in the design museum years ago – the sign said it was 1920s, which would fit since she got married in 1925. Works perfectly too. pic.twitter.com/81IYUopgrR
– Rachel Rogers (@DorsetRachel) June 8, 2020
2. “If you also mean such tools … This Disston saw was manufactured in the 1840s. I use them all the time. I bought it for $ 5. It was rusty, but I restored, sharpened and straightened it. No one saws better than she. “
If you count tools … 1840’s Disston saw, use it all the time. Bought it rusty for $ 5, restored, sharpened, and set … cuts better than anything else out there. pic.twitter.com/BBHAS3VOFL
– AI6YR (@ ai6yrham) June 9, 2020
3. “I still use this monstrosity.”
also, this monstrosity pic.twitter.com/p1qKShXR8W
– Steve Martin (@smartin) June 8, 2020
4. “The Rock-Ola jukebox, model 1484, from 1960.”
1960 Rock-Ola 1484 jukebox pic.twitter.com/vZyYUbo4LO
– NORM (@_TUMULUS) June 8, 2020
5. “My 73 year old AGA stove. It has just been re-enamelled and is used every day. “
73 year old Aga. Just been re-enameled and used very day. pic.twitter.com/eWIIol8DbQ
– Jes Sage (@jessage) June 9, 2020
6. “My father’s Philco radio, model 100, made around 1958. It takes a while for the electric tubes to warm up. Still works and gives a very good vintage listening experience. “
My Dad’s Philco Model 100 radio circa 1958. Takes a while for the valves to warm up .. but still works for (very) vintage listening! @HowardPeartree pic.twitter.com/zmHdvxGsR0
– Barry Waddilove (@Barry_Waddilove) June 8, 2020
7. “Does that include a sewing machine? I’ve had mine for 15 years, but the serial number says it’s 120 years old this year. “
Does a sewing machine count. I’ve had mine for 15 years but according to the serial number database it’s 120 years old this year. pic.twitter.com/qKft2pcOvN
– Ross Atkin (@rossatkin) June 8, 2020
8. “A 67 year old bean cutter from the manufacturer ‘Spong’.”
A Spong’s 67-year-old bean slicer 💚 pic.twitter.com/DTIWbwJagQ
– Louise Mangos (@LouiseMangos) June 8, 2020
9. “A kettle that is over 40 years old.”
Kettle more than 40 years old. pic.twitter.com/gg2drIRKte
– Scott Dixon (@ grumpy_g1t) June 8, 2020
10. “Hello, I collect old appliances, my kitchen is designed for it. The dishwasher is from 1960, the refrigerator from the late 1950s, the washing machine from 1965 and the stove from 1961. Many small appliances also date from this period. The oldest piece is a vacuum cleaner from 1935. Everything is (relatively) easy to repair and a bit different, I can say that! “
Hi I collect old appliances and my kitchen is based around them. Dishwasher 1960 fridge late 1950s washing machine 1965 cooker 1961. Lots of small appliances also from that era. Oldest working is a 1935 hoover. All easy (ish) to fix. And a little different shall I say! 😂 pic.twitter.com/VnTCjbddsz
– Richard (@ Richard92334590) June 9, 2020
11. “This is one of the younger old devices, but it still works great.”
Late to the party, but this is still going strong. pic.twitter.com/YBC22qVgAS
– Robert Sharl (@Sharl) June 9, 2020
12. “My Fairchild Channel F game console from 1976 – still great.”
My Fairchild Channel F games console from 1976 – Still going strong pic.twitter.com/ZEdldB8jzS
– RMC (Neil) (@RMCRetro) June 9, 2020
13. “My Edison Amberola phonograph from 1906. It belonged to my great-great-great-uncle, then to my grandfather and now to me. The drawers are full of wax rollers to play with. “
My 1906 Edison Amberola. It was my great-great uncle’s, then my grandfather’s, and now it’s mine. ❤️ Drawers are stock full of wax rolls to play. pic.twitter.com/38rH2hjPYes
– Take the Flag Back 🇺🇸 (@mybellavino) June 9, 2020
14. “Casio VL Tone Synthesizer from 1979.”
Casio VL-Tone, 1979 🙂 pic.twitter.com/zCes8pdDkj
– Hamish Thompson (@HamishMThompson) June 8, 2020
15. “I still use this Nokia phone as an alarm clock. I can’t throw it away because it still has romantic messages from my husband before he became my husband. Sigh. “
Still use this Nokia phone as an alarm. Can’t chuck it as it has romantic texts on it from before my husband was my husband. Sigh. pic.twitter.com/7lpOwP59EV
– Janey Wall (@janey_wall) June 8, 2020
16. “Does this also include a typewriter?”
Does a typewriter count? pic.twitter.com/Zcfhulhz55
– Nick Dowling (@dowlingual) June 9, 2020
Yes, some vintage gadgets seem to be endowed with the longevity that one would want for so many other things. How nice that some people still use these indestructible leftovers from another time – why throw away what has proven itself? The following are links to other exciting galleries that are related to technology and history:
Thumbnail: © Twitter / @ DorsetRachel