Three Vintage Gadgets That Have Made a Comeback
Technological development does not always mean abandoning the past. In fact, the more practical and efficient our modern culture is, the more romanticized the things from the past are. The gadgets we used to have in the 90s have now become collectible artifacts. For instance, cassettes certainly do not store songs as many as flash drives do, but there is an exquisite experience that audiophiles find exclusive in that format.
If you are curious about the other technologies that have made a comeback, you have come to the right place! Read below!
1. Cassette Players
Although digital formats are diverse and easy to get these days (ranging from WAV, FLAC, WMA, to MP3), cassettes still maintain their relevance. In the heart of music collectors, the feeling of having their tapes collection displayed in their room is priceless and untradeable. An article from MixMag.net cited Official Charts Company’s data, and they show how cassettes sales in the UK doubled in 2018. Still consistent with that statistics, Rappler confirmed to the phenomenon of cassettes making a comeback in the 21st century by examining how the sales were in the US. They found out that sales even reached the highest peak since their fall in the 2000s.
Sony Walkman, Reshow, Jensen, Panasonic, and Aiwa were classic brands of cassette players that were once kings in the market. In fact, if you are a Marvel fan, then you should have noticed the portable player Peter Quill (a.k.a. Star-Lord) possessed was actually a Sony TPS-L2 walkman model.
2. CD Players
Both portable and non-portable CD players have also made a comeback. People seem to understand the value of collecting movies, videos, or music albums exactly after the technology has allowed them to enjoy those entertainment formats freely and easily. Having the CDs/DVDs of films like Star Wars, the Lord of the Rings, and Star Trek series to be put on display at home is a form of artistic expression itself.
If you want to join the cult, then you should begin to make a list of movies you loved to watch during your childhood. For instance, Back to the Future films are perhaps your favorite if you grow up in the 80s. However, please note that you should browse personal cd player reviews first before you decide to buy one.
3. Nokia 3310
This model was first introduced in the 2000s and became famous for its indestructible quality ever since. Sixteen years later, Nokia 3310 made its return as a meme circulating on joke platforms such as 9gag and 4chan and then turned viral. Surprisingly, HMD Global, a new mobile company caught the fuzz and attempted to profit from it. In 2017, Nokia 3310 made its return to the market. However, this retro-hype seemed to be short-lived since there has no significant news about this product until this article is published.
