Monday, September 23, 2019

4500 The Analog Revolution




Attention, music lovers. Clicks, pops and skips are back along with a whole new world of vinyl records.  So are portable typewriters.  Vacuum tubes.  Even carburetors could be making a comeback, although that’s uncertain.  And that old adding machine or cash register in your attic or basement might be worth big bucks.

No one has yet reissued that little 45 RPM record changer. Granted, it’s a niche item, but it does something few other analog devices do… lets you assemble your own playlist.

You pick the records, stack ‘em in the order you want to hear them, pull the little start switch and… voila! Your playlist plays. No commercials. No free trials. No complicated websites.  You don’t even have to tune a radio.

Here’s another analog device that no one’s thought of reviving yet, the icebox.

Every convenience store and supermarket sells ice by the bag.  You become your own Iceman Cometh. You get cold food, a fridge that’s more energy smart than any plug-in refrigerator. Your electric bill and carbon footprint reduce.  You don’t need a mechanical ice cube dispenser because you already have the cubes.  You can always stash a (glass) bottle of water in the box, so you don’t need a cold water dispenser. And there are no moving parts to wear out.  Remember, Sears will be out of business before you know it, and who’s left to fix your old Kenmore two-door? You won’t be able to get the parts and neither will Bob’s Appliance Repair around the corner.

Eggbeaters, meat grinders, washboards and percolators are all available.  So are Zippo lighters and box cameras that use (gulp!) film. 

There’s a growing market for vintage analog office supplies: USA-made Swingline staplers, thumbtacks, file cabinets, real folders made of real paper.

The same is true-ish about construction equipment and accessories like low-power walkie talkies, manual post-hole-diggers, hammers, screwdrivers and brace-and-bit drills.

Analog! It’s not just for old folks and record collectors anymore.

TODAY’S QUOTE
-“I haven’t had a cellphone in two years.” -- Simon Cowell

WESSAYS MONEYSAVER GUIDE:
Price of a pretty good smartphone: between $300 and $500.
Price of the latest/greatest smartphone $1,000 give or take.
Price of a flip phone: $50.
Price of a budget level point & shoot digital camera: between $20 and about $200.
Price of a 1950s RCA 45 rpm record changer:  Under $200 when available.
Price of an icebox: Give or take $500.

So, if you skip the smartphone and go for a flip phone, buy a budget camera and a 45 rpm record changer you’ll have enough money left over for the icebox and a good night out at the corner diner. And best of all, you’ll be sticking it to the tech-for-tech’s-sake crowd.

I’m Wes Richards. My opinions are my own but you’re welcome to them. ®
Comments? Send ‘em here: wesrichards@gmail.com
© WJR 2019


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