Old Electronic Devices That Were Eerily Modern.
By Edtrader Oct. 1st, 2021
People have always wanted the modern conveniences that we all have today. Using the technology of the time, people have done their best to create these conveniences over the years past. Creating devices that do what modern devices do.
People have always wanted the modern conveniences that we all have today. Using the technology of the time, people have done their best to create these conveniences over the years past. Creating devices that do what modern devices do.
#10. Portable Music.
The first things that you could have in your home to play recorded music were thanks to Thomas Edison. The hand-cranked, single-horned phonograph players from the late 1800s. And the even heavier wax cylinder machines. Without the need for electricity, as these here spring powered, the Edison or Victrola phonograph players can be carried anywhere around the house or at a picnic. But it was still something you had to carry with two hands as it was heavier than boom boxes. You could carry only one record on the turntable. So, if you wanted more, you had to carry another box. Also, the sound was from one sound horn, which didn't quite produce top quality. That and the fact that you had to keep hand cranking the thing. As you turned it, there was no guarantee of how long the record would play. So this was like inventing the wheel in personal music.
Wax Cylinder Player Edison Phonograph Player
But the first thing you could carry in your pocket was a tuna can that played music. Hailing from Switzerland, the Mikiphone, introduced in 1924, continued the evolution of portable vinyl. It was still a wind-up machine, but you could keep it in a can and carry it with you.
If, for some reason, people found they were without a player, they would play them in other ways. Using a sowing machine or anything that can turn. Simply get a record needle and attach it to some paper made into a cone. And boom, you have a record player.
If, for some reason, people found they were without a player, they would play them in other ways. Using a sowing machine or anything that can turn. Simply get a record needle and attach it to some paper made into a cone. And boom, you have a record player.
Obviously, once cars were invented, folks wanted to rock out during their drive. The radio was fine, but people wanted to pick what they jammed to. Highway Hi-Fi was the first way you could have the music you wanted in your car. This device was placed under the dashboard. And you could play 45 singles in your car!!!
Starting in 1956, this was a stereo that you could use to play the next advancement in records. Now 12-inch records could have 120 minutes of play instead of 60 like regular vinyls. This was accomplished by slowing down the speed from 48 RPMs or 75 RPMs to 16.66 RPM.
The creator of this technology, Peter Goldmark, developed it at CBS Labs. Developed the technology specifically for the system with 7-inch discs that utilized the 16.66 RPM advancement. Regular 12-inch records were too big. And regular 45s didn't have enough playtime for two songs on a single side. They didn't want folks driving off the road trying to put on a new record every three minutes. These 7-inch records played for about an hour per side. With Phillips-Norelco being the chosen ones to make the players.
These records were made available exclusively from Columbia and CBS Records recording artist. But the big deal was that Chrysler cars came out with these Phillips car players exclusively. And they had to be factory-installed. So, your everyday mechanical couldn't throw one in or easily fix it if it broke.
Plus, they had Muhamad Ali as their spokesperson, how much bigger can you get than that! However, just a short time after, RCA came out with their own car player that used these 7-inch disk. Which their players were about half the cost. So, it gave the Phillips brand a run for the money.
So now we get to the bad. If you hit a bump in the road, the record needle would skip. Which throws the song off and leaves a scratch on the record. Then, even with the longer playing time, you had the hassle of skipping songs or changing the record while driving.
Starting in 1956, this was a stereo that you could use to play the next advancement in records. Now 12-inch records could have 120 minutes of play instead of 60 like regular vinyls. This was accomplished by slowing down the speed from 48 RPMs or 75 RPMs to 16.66 RPM.
The creator of this technology, Peter Goldmark, developed it at CBS Labs. Developed the technology specifically for the system with 7-inch discs that utilized the 16.66 RPM advancement. Regular 12-inch records were too big. And regular 45s didn't have enough playtime for two songs on a single side. They didn't want folks driving off the road trying to put on a new record every three minutes. These 7-inch records played for about an hour per side. With Phillips-Norelco being the chosen ones to make the players.
These records were made available exclusively from Columbia and CBS Records recording artist. But the big deal was that Chrysler cars came out with these Phillips car players exclusively. And they had to be factory-installed. So, your everyday mechanical couldn't throw one in or easily fix it if it broke.
Plus, they had Muhamad Ali as their spokesperson, how much bigger can you get than that! However, just a short time after, RCA came out with their own car player that used these 7-inch disk. Which their players were about half the cost. So, it gave the Phillips brand a run for the money.
So now we get to the bad. If you hit a bump in the road, the record needle would skip. Which throws the song off and leaves a scratch on the record. Then, even with the longer playing time, you had the hassle of skipping songs or changing the record while driving.
#9. Podcast.
Anyone with elementary school-level technical skills could have their own show. Today, we call these podcasts. You can simply use your built-in microphone or spend a few bucks for an external one. Record what's on your brain, and poof, it's for everyone in the world to hear you on the internet.
For the past hundred years, amateurs could get a shortwave transmitter, or a shortwave CB Radio that didn't cost much. Or you can build one if you are JR-high in your skill level. Then open up the frequencies and let your mouth run. And anyone can tune into your frequency and enjoy your show.
This could have been used to get education to rural areas. Or a quick connection to police and emergency services. Shortwave was around before phone services, so there was also a buck to be made. But no, this was mostly used for the first form of social media.
Those that like shortwave radios were or are like a social club. Calling themselves HAM radio stars. People set out with the goal of reaching someone far away. To spew out the usual trash that's on everyone's mind.
Anyone with elementary school-level technical skills could have their own show. Today, we call these podcasts. You can simply use your built-in microphone or spend a few bucks for an external one. Record what's on your brain, and poof, it's for everyone in the world to hear you on the internet.
For the past hundred years, amateurs could get a shortwave transmitter, or a shortwave CB Radio that didn't cost much. Or you can build one if you are JR-high in your skill level. Then open up the frequencies and let your mouth run. And anyone can tune into your frequency and enjoy your show.
This could have been used to get education to rural areas. Or a quick connection to police and emergency services. Shortwave was around before phone services, so there was also a buck to be made. But no, this was mostly used for the first form of social media.
Those that like shortwave radios were or are like a social club. Calling themselves HAM radio stars. People set out with the goal of reaching someone far away. To spew out the usual trash that's on everyone's mind.
Shortwave radios use the earth's ionosphere. In which to reflect a very strong signal that can go around the curves of the earth's atmosphere. Unlike other forms of radio, these can be fine-tuned to send sound across oceans without the need for a relay or wired communications. The advantage of shortwave is that long waves are difficult to send directly without losing power. Also, once shortwaves were discovered, they used frequencies that were thought to be useless.
A good example of using this technology to have your own podcast would be Jack Burton!!!!
#8. DVDS.
Some of the reasons we like DVD and Blu-ray so much is the top-notch quality, the small size, the ease of storage, and the fact that we can travel from scene to scene via the click of a button. Things that VHS, BETA, or projectors lacked. Back in the 60s, they didn't have laser technology like we have today. Not even so much as CDs existed back then. But they somehow knew that flat would be the entertainment future. But in their technology, the best thing they had was vinyl records.
Some of the reasons we like DVD and Blu-ray so much is the top-notch quality, the small size, the ease of storage, and the fact that we can travel from scene to scene via the click of a button. Things that VHS, BETA, or projectors lacked. Back in the 60s, they didn't have laser technology like we have today. Not even so much as CDs existed back then. But they somehow knew that flat would be the entertainment future. But in their technology, the best thing they had was vinyl records.
So with that came the VideoDisc CED (Capacitance Electronic Disc)
In 1964, RCA developed this player, which worked just like a record player. You'd put the movie on vinyl inside this case. Which if you have seen the inside of a floppy disk, it is like that. You would load this case into the player. The player would pull in the vinyl disk. And the vinyl disc would read the data with a special needle. The vinyl had data grooves engraved just like an audio record. The only difference was the thin layer of nickel and lubricant on top. Very similar to a CD or DVD.
Later, the vinyl was replaced with PVC and carbon, as vinyl would warp due to the need for new lubricant.
This was developed before VHS or BETA-Max tapes. But it also had several advantages over them. The movies themselves were easy to store. They'd fit on your regular record shelves. Which any house with records had. Plus, like vinyl lovers today, their covers make cool artwork. So you could use them as decorations as well.
Another advantage is that VHS and BETA operated on 3 MHz of bandwidth, while CED had 4 MHz to run on. On a vinyl album, there are space grooves, so you can go from song to song. The same went for CEDs, as scenes in the movie could be skipped in a second. Instead of waiting for the fast-forward to take you there.
Political turmoil within RCA really hindered CEDs from breathing in the home market. But the initial idea was ripped straight from the future. And now movie collectors such as myself love to collect these things.
This was developed before VHS or BETA-Max tapes. But it also had several advantages over them. The movies themselves were easy to store. They'd fit on your regular record shelves. Which any house with records had. Plus, like vinyl lovers today, their covers make cool artwork. So you could use them as decorations as well.
Another advantage is that VHS and BETA operated on 3 MHz of bandwidth, while CED had 4 MHz to run on. On a vinyl album, there are space grooves, so you can go from song to song. The same went for CEDs, as scenes in the movie could be skipped in a second. Instead of waiting for the fast-forward to take you there.
Political turmoil within RCA really hindered CEDs from breathing in the home market. But the initial idea was ripped straight from the future. And now movie collectors such as myself love to collect these things.
#7. Tvio.
Over the past few years, Tivo systems have entered thousands of people's homes. Allowing us to record whatever we want without sitting by the TV waiting to push the record button. A few clicks of the remote, and Monday Night Football is set to record.
Thirty years ago, this was done by something called a VCRPlus+. Those six-digit codes that used to be in TV Guides actually meant something after all.
Over the past few years, Tivo systems have entered thousands of people's homes. Allowing us to record whatever we want without sitting by the TV waiting to push the record button. A few clicks of the remote, and Monday Night Football is set to record.
Thirty years ago, this was done by something called a VCRPlus+. Those six-digit codes that used to be in TV Guides actually meant something after all.
Microvision developed the first VCRPlus+ that had a system that read algorithms. So as your cable or antenna sends its signal to the VCRPlus+, it reads the algorithmic codes they put out.
A PlusCode was added to each program and shown in your local newspapers or TV guides. So you simply input the code for that program. As that program hits the airwaves, the code will start the recording. Once that program was over, it would stop recording.
You could enter more than one code, so you could catch what you want. Without something you don't want in between. So, you could catch The Brady Bunch reruns at 4:30 p.m. Skip something like the news. But catch the 7:00 p.m. showing of Cheers.
Europe would create their own version called a ShowView.
#6. Vehicle GPS.
Today, a TomTom or another GPS-type system is in most cars. Our cellphones have handy apps such as Google Maps. So having an actual map in your car is quite an antique. Plus, if you spill coffee on a paper map, all of Nevada looks like a brown lake.
Thirty-five years ago, Honda manufacturers came up with the Electro Gyro-Cator. It sounds like a Godzilla villain, doesn't it? But it was the first vehicle navigation system. Which was adapted from something similar that aircraft used at the time.
Europe would create their own version called a ShowView.
#6. Vehicle GPS.
Today, a TomTom or another GPS-type system is in most cars. Our cellphones have handy apps such as Google Maps. So having an actual map in your car is quite an antique. Plus, if you spill coffee on a paper map, all of Nevada looks like a brown lake.
Thirty-five years ago, Honda manufacturers came up with the Electro Gyro-Cator. It sounds like a Godzilla villain, doesn't it? But it was the first vehicle navigation system. Which was adapted from something similar that aircraft used at the time.
Modern vehicle GPS compared to a GYRO.
It wasn't satellite-guided, but there was a servomotor attached to the vehicle's transmission. Which keyed in the distance and direction you drove. Along with a helium-gas-wired marker. Which moved like a gimbal in concordance with your driving.
You put the map of where you were going into a see-through plastic covering. The Gyro marker had a zero, which you synced with the map as your starting point. So, it factors in the distance and direction, and all you had to do was follow the lines of the map.
The display had circles around where you were. So, you could see how much further it was to your destination. And it had a pen system, so you could write notes or indicators if you chose. This was sold in 1981, while the next thing after it wasn't invented until the 1995 Oldsmobile Guidestar.
You put the map of where you were going into a see-through plastic covering. The Gyro marker had a zero, which you synced with the map as your starting point. So, it factors in the distance and direction, and all you had to do was follow the lines of the map.
The display had circles around where you were. So, you could see how much further it was to your destination. And it had a pen system, so you could write notes or indicators if you chose. This was sold in 1981, while the next thing after it wasn't invented until the 1995 Oldsmobile Guidestar.
#5. IR gave us wireless computer devices before we even had CD-Rom.
As far back as the 1970s, light could be used for something more than just brightening up a room. Officially called IR (infrared) wireless, you transfer data from one electronic source to another without wires. The initial thought was that you could transfer sound to another device without a wire. So why can't other things be done as well? With that in mind, the basic electromagnetic radiation that's always around us was the key. So devices were invented that could harness the radiation and use it.
How else do you think your TV remotes have worked all of these years? This technology could have been used in the medical field, saving and enhancing lives for example. But instead, 'this having to get up and walk five feet to change the channel has got to stop' was the most common use. Other common uses for IR over the years included various wireless guns for the Nintendo and PlayStations of the 1990s.
But IR also gave us what we needed to produce wireless printers and a wireless mouse.
Now things have clicked, and IR has been included in identifying blood vessels, detecting alcohol from just the skin, and pointing out potential areas where sores could appear. Also, we are on the cusp of this technology giving sight to the blind. As an IR optical could be implanted that restores the light-sensing retinas in the eye. But the most potential comes in cancer cures. As it is being tested and possibly proven that it could heat and then burn out cancer cells.
As far back as the 1970s, light could be used for something more than just brightening up a room. Officially called IR (infrared) wireless, you transfer data from one electronic source to another without wires. The initial thought was that you could transfer sound to another device without a wire. So why can't other things be done as well? With that in mind, the basic electromagnetic radiation that's always around us was the key. So devices were invented that could harness the radiation and use it.
How else do you think your TV remotes have worked all of these years? This technology could have been used in the medical field, saving and enhancing lives for example. But instead, 'this having to get up and walk five feet to change the channel has got to stop' was the most common use. Other common uses for IR over the years included various wireless guns for the Nintendo and PlayStations of the 1990s.
But IR also gave us what we needed to produce wireless printers and a wireless mouse.
Now things have clicked, and IR has been included in identifying blood vessels, detecting alcohol from just the skin, and pointing out potential areas where sores could appear. Also, we are on the cusp of this technology giving sight to the blind. As an IR optical could be implanted that restores the light-sensing retinas in the eye. But the most potential comes in cancer cures. As it is being tested and possibly proven that it could heat and then burn out cancer cells.
#4. RFID before Wii was cool.
In the 1960s and 1970s, you could have ventured into a bar and seen something called the bulls-eye dart game. This top-natch game was designed by Midway Games. One where you held a wireless controller (cheaper ones had cords) shaped like a dart. You'd draw back and fling (without letting go) the controller, and release a button. This would read the movements of your hand as the trajectory and place the dart on its wall board.
You would be one of two players, both of whom looked like one of the Dukes Of Hazard, Hank or Iggy. If done right, you hit the center. It would light up, and you're the star. If not, the lit-up ladies would laugh at you.
This took advantage of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, which mimics the actions of the RF controller. A technology that an idiot could think of the benefits other than just something like games is wrong.
In recent years, RFID has broken into the prosthetic limb market. Electrodes pick up the movement of muscles at the point of amputation. The thing signals that to the artificial limb.
In the 1960s and 1970s, you could have ventured into a bar and seen something called the bulls-eye dart game. This top-natch game was designed by Midway Games. One where you held a wireless controller (cheaper ones had cords) shaped like a dart. You'd draw back and fling (without letting go) the controller, and release a button. This would read the movements of your hand as the trajectory and place the dart on its wall board.
You would be one of two players, both of whom looked like one of the Dukes Of Hazard, Hank or Iggy. If done right, you hit the center. It would light up, and you're the star. If not, the lit-up ladies would laugh at you.
This took advantage of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, which mimics the actions of the RF controller. A technology that an idiot could think of the benefits other than just something like games is wrong.
In recent years, RFID has broken into the prosthetic limb market. Electrodes pick up the movement of muscles at the point of amputation. The thing signals that to the artificial limb.
3. Servomechanisms.
We really have had the technology for drones since the 1970s. Shorten as a ''servo' this electronic device uses power then takes information from a magnetic controller. The controller tells the servos to move a mechanical system to go from an error position to a wanted position. In other words, something that has servos in it makes it go left or right, high or lower.
Basically, it's the type of technology that a terminator uses.
We really have had the technology for drones since the 1970s. Shorten as a ''servo' this electronic device uses power then takes information from a magnetic controller. The controller tells the servos to move a mechanical system to go from an error position to a wanted position. In other words, something that has servos in it makes it go left or right, high or lower.
Basically, it's the type of technology that a terminator uses.
So the military and industrial usages are off the charts. But servos were used mainly in toys since the 1900s. Remote control cars and airplanes for example. The first ones go back to the hydrogen filled planes that were guided by spark powered servos.
It would be sixty years later before more serious usages were made. Such as NASA in 1964 with the Apollo LLRV craft. After this civilian aircraft used servos like Concorde in 1969. Named the Fly By Wire system. All said and done servo technology is the forefather of what modern day drones use.
It would be sixty years later before more serious usages were made. Such as NASA in 1964 with the Apollo LLRV craft. After this civilian aircraft used servos like Concorde in 1969. Named the Fly By Wire system. All said and done servo technology is the forefather of what modern day drones use.
#2. Google Earth/Micro-cameras.
Yes, the first real Google Earth came to us via a pigeon. 1907 Dr. Julius Neubronner had this brilliant idea. Pigeons fly, so why not add a little camera to their belly? At that time, the smallest operational cameras in the world. Giving us our first real aerial photographs. So, he designed the camera and the harness the birds would wear.
He could have thought of a map system that uses these photos. Much like Google Earth has been successful in. But this genius had another idea. The Doc had great experience with pigeons. As they delivered medicines for him. So, he attached the cameras and sold the pictures as post cards.
So, for years, this was what he spent his great idea on. Years later, the military saw his demonstration at the Frankfurt International Aviation Exhibition. WWII came along, and they put the best use towards it. In WWI, experiments with pigeons in air warfare were promising. Further photographing the earth in WWII.
The cameras he developed served the military for quite a few more years. And several of his cameras are in museums around the world.
Yes, the first real Google Earth came to us via a pigeon. 1907 Dr. Julius Neubronner had this brilliant idea. Pigeons fly, so why not add a little camera to their belly? At that time, the smallest operational cameras in the world. Giving us our first real aerial photographs. So, he designed the camera and the harness the birds would wear.
He could have thought of a map system that uses these photos. Much like Google Earth has been successful in. But this genius had another idea. The Doc had great experience with pigeons. As they delivered medicines for him. So, he attached the cameras and sold the pictures as post cards.
So, for years, this was what he spent his great idea on. Years later, the military saw his demonstration at the Frankfurt International Aviation Exhibition. WWII came along, and they put the best use towards it. In WWI, experiments with pigeons in air warfare were promising. Further photographing the earth in WWII.
The cameras he developed served the military for quite a few more years. And several of his cameras are in museums around the world.
#1. Panorama.
IMAX is the newest way to see movies these days. Multiple screens that give you this panorama view of the film. It started with movie projectors that you could use to show a movie on a large white screen. Clark Griswald watches one in the attic in Christmas Vacation. Problem Child 2 the kid showed his babysitter and her boyfriend doing it. Using a projector and the side of the house to show the neighbors.
Since the 1950s, 16mm or super-8 films could be bought or rented from libraries to show whatever films that were printed. In the 1970s, multi-image projectors were first developed. Three slide mounts with film or slides were used with a soft density mask. So, the three would connect as one image without disruption. Giving you a panorama view like IMAX does.
No one thought to use these to revolutionize movie theaters. Instead, it became about millionaires selling other millionaires their businesses. As it was used for things like corporate conventions.
IMAX is the newest way to see movies these days. Multiple screens that give you this panorama view of the film. It started with movie projectors that you could use to show a movie on a large white screen. Clark Griswald watches one in the attic in Christmas Vacation. Problem Child 2 the kid showed his babysitter and her boyfriend doing it. Using a projector and the side of the house to show the neighbors.
Since the 1950s, 16mm or super-8 films could be bought or rented from libraries to show whatever films that were printed. In the 1970s, multi-image projectors were first developed. Three slide mounts with film or slides were used with a soft density mask. So, the three would connect as one image without disruption. Giving you a panorama view like IMAX does.
No one thought to use these to revolutionize movie theaters. Instead, it became about millionaires selling other millionaires their businesses. As it was used for things like corporate conventions.