On the Vintage Computer Festival website, they document a number of builds of replica computers from the history of computer science. This gallery shows progress pics from the recreation of a DEC PDP-8, the first commercially-successful minicomputer. This is a non-working replica, BTW. To get the look of the Flip-Chip Module Arrays inside, photocopies of […]
I caught up with Shelly Hatton at Maker Faire Austin, where she was demonstrating antique circular sock knitting machines! She writes, “Circular sock machines have been around since the early 1900’s and were built so sturdily that they still survive and work to this day. The machines were originally advertised as a way for homemakers to make money at home by cranking out socks, but the learning curve was really high. Currently, there are a number of enthusiasts around the globe who help each other figure out how to use these really nifty antique machines.” Shelly got interested in these machines when she heard a friend had knitted a pair of sock in two hours!
On this episode of Bre Pettis’ “Things,” Adam Mayer shows off the Model 15 teletype machine from the 1930s he’s been working on. Things – Adam Mayer Explains The Teletype Model 15
Mister Jalopy of Dinosaurs and Robots points us to these cool collections of classic camping kerosene lamps and stoves. Having spent the better part of my youth hiking and camping, I fondly remember a lot of these models. Spiritburner.com Motoshi Makino’s Classic Camping Collection Other awesome stove/lantern collections via Spiritburner.com
Via Brass Goggles comes a pointer to a round-up of amazing antique diving suits and boats. Old Underwater Diving Suits
A precursor to modern sound and light devices such as the Brain Machine, Brion Gysin and Ian Sommerville’s Dreamachine – In its original form, a dreamachine is made from a cylinder with slits cut in the sides. The cylinder is placed on a record turntable and rotated at 78 or 45 revolutions per minute. A […]
