Older Technology... it Fascinates the Kids

Our young visitors are fascinated with the older forms of technology found around the store.

They are drawn to each piece of archaic equipment with buttons. It's fun to watch their faces light up when their fingers dance across a typewriter or they rotate the dial on an old dial phone(with a cord no less!). All things they aren't use to seeing in their homes today.

One young customer wanted to actually use her typewriter that she purchased at Patina General. She researched on line and found replacement ribbons. She's interested in being a journalist someday.

I think there were only a handful of students that came with an Apple Computer when I was in college, the rest of us came toting our electric typewriters to tap out our papers. Remember White Out? Someone was just asking in the store last week if they still make it. I went through my fair share of bottles in college.

I worked in an office throughout high school and college and actually used a Paymaster like this one to imprint checks. At the time I thought it was a fun piece of equipment. 

It makes me feel ancient, but also thankful. I'm glad I've gotten to experience both sides of technology. As a parent of a teenage daughter, I do miss the days of a landline phone. Gone are the days when boys thought twice about calling a girl. What if her mom answers the phone, or her dad (ugh), or even worse, a sibling that will yell across the house that _______ is on the phone. The phone conversation took place in the kitchen where everyone could here, unless you had a really long phone cord and could stretch around the corner or into a near by closet.

The older forms of technology (typewriters, phones, cameras etc.) now serve as decorative architecture in homes and offices. They were made to last. I doubt many of the high tech items we use today will stand the test of time and survive to tell their stories of years gone by.

Comments

[Laurie]

Hi Cheryl!
Love following your blog! I had to laugh when reading this!
Our 24 year old daughter graduated with a writing major.
I gave her a old typewriter and a typing manual(like we had in high school, way back when!)
A gift she really loved. Earlier this fall we had a gathering at her house. A couple of her college friends were fasinated with the typewriter. My husband tried to explain how this "old" machine actually worked! Yes, was funny to see how what was standard for us 50somethings, was a total amazing bewilderment to the kids!!
Aww, yes. Miss the phone in the kitchen with the 15 foot of cord. Memories!

[Ginene Nagel]

I, too, have watched young people marvel at dial phones and typewriters in my shop and I think each one was purchased by a young person. I only buy the portable 1930s Royals because of they were kept in their traveling boxes and are usually in excellent working and cosmetic condition. So shiny, so compact and so darn cute in sound and appearance. I've bought cartons of new ribbons on line from people who respool them or use new plastic reels. Love them and I enjoyed this post.
Ginene

[Cheryl Jarl]

I'm glad you enjoy our blog. Thank you for sharing your personal story, I love it.

[Cheryl Jarl]

Thank you for being a faithful reader of our blog, we really appreciate it. I always enjoy your comments. I think I need to keep my eyes open for a 1930's Royal, they sound really cute. We've had customers buy old phones and ask if they work. They want to use them once again, I love it!