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Entertainment

Ilona Baliūnaitė

89 ’80s Gadgets That Might Unlock Memories You Haven’t Thought About In Decades

Sony Atari FisherPrice

Today’s digitally reliant technology is good and all, but many would argue that gadgets from decades ago had their own strong appeal. 1980s tech, for one, easily draws fascination, given how colorful the decade was for many who lived through it.

Here are some examples of those devices that have seemingly stood the test of time. We collected these photos from different corners of the internet where people still relish the gizmos and contraptions that were a hit nearly half a century ago.

Some of these were impressive, while others were quite quirky. Some may also make a few readers wonder how we ever lived without them. Enjoy scrolling through this time capsule!

#1 My Grandparents Still To This Day Use A 1984 Model Microwave

#2 1980's Gaming Switch

#3 My Dad Has An Analog Clock In His Truck Right Above The Digital Clock

The early 1980s were a time of technological innovation. 1983, in particular, had a few new releases that improved people’s lives and gave a peek at what the future would look like.

One of those innovations was the Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 100. Released in April 1983, this notebook-sized computer packed features we’d see today into one device: long battery life, address books, calendars, and a to-do list app.

#4 Ge Coffee Maker From 1987 Still Going Strong

#5 This 200+ Page Instruction Manual For A Mouse From 1988

#6 My Room As A Teen. Might As Well Have Been An 80s Museum…

Another notable 1983 release was the HP-150, a pioneer of touchscreen computers. While it isn’t the first of its kind, it was the first touch-controlled device sold to the public and businesses.

The HP-150 became the last touchscreen computer Hewlett-Packard sold until 2002, when it launched the Compaq Tablet.

#7 My 80s Computer Station

#8 The Floor Scooters I Remember From 80's Elementary Pe

#9 Did Anyone Catch Any Fish With Ronco's Pocket Fisherman?

Computers were a hit in the 1980s because mass-market advertising first emerged that decade. According to the Computer History Museum, these devices also became available for personal use as machine costs fell.

Celebrity endorsements also bolstered marketing efforts. Big names at the time included Bill Cosby, William Shatner, and Dick Cavett, among others.

#10 Remember When The Kodak Disc Camera Was All The Rage?

#11 Casio Pocket Television TV-30

#12 Recently Helped A Friend Clean Out Some Stuff, And Got To Acquire Some Things. Any Advice On What To Do With These 4?

The toy industry was also booming in the 1980s. The Teddy Ruxpin toy bear, for one, was the world’s first animatronic toy. It had a built-in microchip that let it speak and move, much like a cartoon character.

According to History.com, it became the best-selling toy in 1985, the year it came out. The Teddy Ruxpin went on to win the same distinction a year later, and eventually had its own animated series.

#13 My Dad Brought Home An Early ‘80s Fan From Work Today

#14 Found A Sealed 1985 “Macwrite * Macpaint” Sorting Through My Dads Old Bookshelf

#15 My Friend's Condo Has A Non-Working Intercom System From The 1980s

The appeal of these old-school gadgets today goes beyond nostalgia. Most of these devices stood the test of time because of their durability, unlike much of today’s technology, which is not only harder to repair but also relies on software.

80s gadgets may look primitive, even outdated, by today’s standards. However, one could argue that the machinery and physical engineering at the time were unmatched.