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Many people have at least a few old gadgets lying around in their homes but the thought of throwing it away sometimes is just too emotionally heavy. Even though modern technology is rapidly evolving and can offer us things that a few decades ago were simply unimaginable, sometimes you just can't resist the good old nostalgia. Even when those damn gadgets have gone out of order ages ago. And we still don't seem to be able to let go of them.

But let's get real for a sec—if you've got some old tech that no longer works piling up in your home, you should definitely get rid of it. Seriously, recycle it. It's not that hard—just go to your nearest electronics recycling point (and don't forget to bring your goods along with you). You're gonna declutter your home while at the same time helping the environment—two birds with one stone!

And now let's take a moment to talk about those old gadgets that STILL WORK and don't seem to stop anytime soon, even after all these years. Yes, the true MVPs. Twitter user Zoe Kleinman recently asked her followers to tell her about their oldest functioning gadgets and got some pretty interesting answers. We invite you to have a look through some of these old devices people are still using today. Spoiler alert—some of these gadgets are more than 50 years old!

More info: twitter.com

#3

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Daria B
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bring on the downvotes, but I'm not sure how great of an idea this is. Modern technology was built in accordance to regulations regarding environment protection and overall consumer safety. But, then again, our parents and grandparents survived, so I guess it isn't that bad. Just be cautious.

diz_1 avatar
Laugh Fan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As long as the property is wired up safely with all the relevant circuit breakers (requirements obviously vary across the world) then if an appliance develops a fault it should just trip a circuit breaker and not cause any problems. Of course there are going to be properties that haven't been rewired in decades - that would be a concern. Old appliances would be likely to cause tripping faults but anything can go wrong - new appliance or old. So, I would think it's safe enough as long as the property hasn't got ancient wiring! 🤞

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iblowsheep
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'll admit it looks kind of neat, but not very practical. I mean that fridge is TEENY. I couldn't even fit all my beer in there let alone food.

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Blackheart
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a trend of refurbishing retro appliances, often updating them for efficiency. This can be done with cars, why not appliances?

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Craymoss
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I could only imagine how unsafe and costly this is.. Those old fridges were toxic af. The new appliances are coded for today’s specific uses and electrical networks. If everything is still as it was, this would be a huge danger and money hole..

moconnell avatar
M O'Connell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The efficiency of this type of refrigerator really isn't too bad. The awful ones were frost-free models made between the 1960s and 1980s, those were absolute pigs when it came to power. Manual-defrost refrigerators are quite efficient as they aren't wasting energy to cycle the defrost heaters. This 'fridge likely uses R12 (which was also the propellant for OG silly string) can be directly converted to run on R134A. If you don't believe me, look up the Energy Star ratings for refrigerators with and without auto-defrost.

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JessG
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That dishwasher! Whew! Really need the counter space for that sucker!

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Halee Brady
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It almost looks like a dollhouse cause everything's so cute!

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NWB
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder how power hungry they are? Like new stuff uses less power.

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#5

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Becklass
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awe, the phones lasted as long as the relationship...sweet

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#13

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Liam Walsh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember playing Fireman, Fireman in English lessons! The teacher was slightly deaf - she knew something was making a noise but not who or where it was coming from.

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#15

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Lindy Mac
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's tubes not valves... but you say tomayto...I say tomahto....whatever,eh?

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#19

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Rose the Cook
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These were built to last. My 1972 model is still going strong despite very heavy use.

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#20

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DC
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are great! I just found out I own two of them ... found the second one ... now I play duets.

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#23

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M O'Connell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate to break it to ya... that handle medallion style (with the Disston crest within a circle of stars accompanied by the full text "H. DISSTON & SONS PHILADA") didn't come into use until 1896, and the text was abbreviated further in 1917, so that dates this saw to that particular period.

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#24

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Lindy Mac
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Third class 32 oz of white flour....First class 6 oz of cocoa!

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Dave Chapman
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did you own an electronics sales or repair business at one time?

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#30

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margaret steward
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have exactly the same one. 50 years old and still working perfectly and in use daily.

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#31

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Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom ran across my old '80's Speak n' Spell a few years ago. I think she had said it still worked.

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#34

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Cathy Homan
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When power goes out where my grandma lives she hooks up her ATT rotary phone

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#35

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Lindy Mac
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Back then they didn't have inner bags so you have to dump out and clean up the cloth bag...right?

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#36

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#37

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#38

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Cody Eriksen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No BS: I just saw at Rite Aid...behind the cash register next to the cigarettes, a Craig Walk-Man for $24.99!!! A Craig Disk man for $29.99!!! Like WTF really?!?!?!? I almost bought both.

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#39

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Rabbit Carrot
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I loved my ZX. One of my older sisters stood on it. I’ve never forgiven her.

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#43

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Rabbit Carrot
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If these had a proper steering wheel at the front, rather than those bizarre side handles, it would’ve been a success.

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#44

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Fuzzy spectrum
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's the newer model. I had old one with add on disk drive. Left it in loft of house when I moved out

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#45

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#46

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Bill
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those terminals still service a lot of US infrastructure

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#47

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#48

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F. H.
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have two very similar ones. I use them both in different places, because they run for ages on three AA batteries.

#49

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#52

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Lindy Mac
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Since the link is not clickable here is was I got when I typed it in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMiOZDowpFM&feature=youtu.be

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#53

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#54

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#55

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Gillbella
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought "what? 40 years old? From the 1980s?!? Its like 20 years ... Oh...." Dammit I am old

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#56

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#57

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#60

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R L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a similar one but use it for grinding nuts. Also Moulinex.

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#62

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#63

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Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Things built this decade will be trashed in 10 yeaes. Old things like this were built to last.

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#66

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Rabbit Carrot
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those things will last forever. It’s the damn control pads that struggle to keep up.

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#67

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Dave Chapman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG, I seriously want one of these old mechanical calculators, they're so damn cool!

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#68

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RJ
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What do you do with that thing? Eavesdropping on space transmissions?

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#70

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Don Golosso
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Probably heared that alarm over 7500 times" somehow sounds a bit depressing.

#71

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RJ
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's worth repairing your refrigerator than replacing, as it brings a lot of memories. You just have to find out what the problem is, many appliance technicians fail to identify the problem. I have replaced many compressors and it's true you need a good diagnosis to be 100% sure it's a bad compressor and also being capable of replacing the compressor successfully.

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#73

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Will Fenton
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

25 years... Oh no. In my mind this is a "recent" design. I'm definitely getting old.

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#74

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ADHORTATOR
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had the Psion in the 1999 .... still prefer classic agendas

#76

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#77

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Blackheart
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It can't be the first Walkman. They were introduced in 1979, and the first Walkmans were boxier. But still cool.

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#78

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Don Golosso
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah, the Telefunken Gavotte, I have the exact same one here. The sounds is much warmer then what todays c**p gives you.

#79

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#80

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#81

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J-Yogi-Temp-Mom
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep, still have mine and every time I use It I pray it's not my last day on this earth. lol

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#85

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Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hate to be a busybody but if you take away those sides and top it probably won't flare as much. Needs better air circulation. I'm kinda surprised it hasn't burned your house down or carbon monoxided you.

#86

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#92

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#94

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#95

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R L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I also have a Philips mixer similar to this, also pre 1980 and still going better than it's replacement (the stand for the mixing bowl broke).

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#96

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Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandmother died two years ago. In her bedroom she still used her huge tv that has a tube and was wooden and sat on the floor. For some reason this is hard for me to describe. I think it was 1950's. I remember watching it as a kid in the '80's. I wonder what happened to it after she died.

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#97

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M O'Connell
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They're still based in Wisconsin. And they still have an old-school repair department, just hand it over, they'll fix it and hand it back.

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#101

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R L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mine is also a Philips, similar design and about 25 yers old. It works, no need for anything else.

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#102

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#103

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#104

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#111

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dc1 avatar
DC
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These have been around a lot longer ... 70's, maybe late 60's. The rat in general, this one may be from the nineties.

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#112

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M O'Connell
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The HP 65 uses a 71X9.5mm magnetic card and not tape to store information

#113

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Becca Gizmo the Squirrel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have that exact thing. Bought it at a yard sale in box with an extra piece to it.

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#114

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#115

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Lindy Mac
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

PLEASE research if this is safe. I believe after a certain number(?) of years microwaves are not safe.

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R L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read that too fast and thought it said 'to make humans'.