Retro Tech Videos
newest 100 retro tech videos / retro tech widgets / media rss:

Can't see the video? Watch this video now in a browser or download this video now. Today on BBtv, part 2 of Boing Boing Gadgets editor Joel Johnson's interview with his hero, futurist and artist Syd Mead, on the evolution of conceptual design. In this installment, we go inside Syd's studio in Pasadena, CA, and learn more about the creative process behind his work for movies, television, and automobile design -- both Hot Wheels and life-sized -- and how Syd feels about design in the video game industry. Mead is a former designer for Ford Motor Company and US Steel. His designs have appeared in many movies, including Aliens, Tron, and Blade Runner. Previously on Boing Boing tv: Joel Johnson interviews Syd Mead: part 1.

Can't see the video? Watch this video now in a browser or download this video now. The ghost of Judy Garland visited the recent Maker Faire tryouts in Los Angeles. Fun with old phones and newer MP3 players: "Judy Phone" by Greg MacLaurin. Special thanks to Machine Project for hosting the tryouts.

Can't see the video? Watch this video now in a browser or download this video now. Xeni visits the home of Kinetic Steam Works, a group of retro-tech industrial artisans who "repurpose the artifacts of clockwork modernity," and bring new life to very old steam engines. In doing so, they preserve what many consider a dying form of technology. From the group's description of its work: What we found were machines, simple and intricate, that blurred the line between art and industry, kinetic masterpieces created during an era of diabolical innovation and gleeful invention. The steam engine embodied the ideologies, desires and dreams of its era, of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, a bright and shining future where technology was built by hand. They were the aspirational finned cars and rockets of their day. Most recently, steam's fantastic has been represented by romantic industrial arts and the literary movements of retro sci-fi, steampunk, and gothic neo-Victorianism. The arch modernity of the steam driven Industrial Revolution is a powerful metaphor that explores our present and future through the nostalgic and dystopic past. Special thanks to Josh Keppel for additional footage of these steampunk machine beauties in action.

Can't see the video? Watch this video now in a browser or download this video now. Boing Boing Gadgets editor Joel Johnson chats about chiptunes with a number of artists who performed at the most recent installment of the 8-bit music event Blipfest: Paza Rahm (pazarahm.com, from Sweden), Rugar (rugarandi.com, Sweden), Sabrepulse (myspace.com/sabrepulse, Scotland) and Akira, aka 8GB (myspace.com/8gb, Argentina). Related BBtv episodes and vlog posts: Dave Hill + Blip Fest + 8-bit Combat Vlog: Joel Johnson - Blipfest / Candy Expo

Can't see the video? Watch this video now in a browser or download this video now. BBtv correspondent and Boing Boing Gadgets editor Joel Johnson visits the 8-bit music event Blipfest, then wreaks havoc at a Candy Expo.

Can't see the video? Watch this video now in a browser or download this video now. Today: a new installment of Boing Boing tv's 8-Bit Theater, featuring My Little Pony and the (hungry) animated head of David Bowie (classic game footage from The Dot Eaters). Then, Borna Sammak of Free art and Technology transforms the 8-bit classic game CONTRA into a melty, gooey, hallucinatory haze. Previously on BBtv: Super Mario 8-bit theater / David O'Reilly short Giant Atari Joystick / 8-bit Therapy Dave Hill + Blip Fest + 8-bit Combat

Can't see the video? Watch this video now in a browser or download this video now. Today on Boing Boing tv -- more subversive animated genius from David O'Reilly, a 22-year-old experimental filmmaker from Ireland whose style lies somewhere between Kubrick and Kaufman and Ketamine. We've featured his work before here, and were instantly smitten with his vectorpunk vibe -- so we asked him to cook up something exclusive for BBtv. This is the result. Part two of today's episode: more animated awesomeness from O'Reilly, featuring music composed by Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood.

Can't see the video? Watch this video now in a browser or download this video now. It's been a little more than two months since we launched Boing Boing tv, and we've decided that producing a daily internet show just isn't enough. Meet BBtv vlogs! OK, seriously: starting today, we'll be releasing these additional videoblog segments in addition to the every-weekday Boing Boing tv episodes. All of it will be offered in the same RSS feed. The vlogs won't be every single day all the time, but we're going to have fun with them. What's the difference? The BBtv vlogs will be casual, conversational stuff we mostly tape ourselves, wherever we are. They'll feature Boing Boing editors talking about things, people, ideas, places, technologies we're fascinated by. They're more like video diaries, I guess? Only less emo, no ranting about your YouTube enemies, and ffs no dance contests. So, imagine Pesco talking with one of those artists he blogs about, or Cory wandering around in Tokyo with a handheld camera pointing out cool stuff he's seeing that day, or Joel Johnson from Boing Boing Gadgets talking about about little infrared controlled helicopters or retro-tech radios -- oh hey, wait! That's the vlog episode we're publishing today, our very first. And Joel, if you have never *seen* him speak before, is quite a funny guy. His video diary stylee is sort of like HSN meets America's Funniest Home Videos meets Slackers*. Oh, and: check out the fresh opening animation created by BBtv editor Laura Lopez! -- Xeni Jardin (* Thanks for the ganked line, Jolon!)

Can't see the video? Watch this video now in a browser or download this video now. Mario and his pixellated spouse argue over mushrooms, point gains, and sexually adventurous arcade game apes in this episode of BBtv's 8-bit Theater. Then, an excerpt from WOFL 2106, an otherworldly animated short by the talented multimedia artist David O'Reilly. Look for a special cameo appearance by Brian Peppers.

Can't see the video? Watch this video now in a browser or download this video now. BBtv and BB Gadgets sent internet funnyman Dave Hill to Blip Fest, a multimedia music festival celebrating music made from vintage video game consoles and computers. Mr. Hill was in a fightin' mood. Next, a short video from Walter Robot. (special thanks to Jesse Thorn and Joel Johnson!). Previously on Boing Boing: Dave Hill is a very funny guy.

Can't see the video? Watch this video now in a browser or download this video now. Mark checks out a 15-times-larger-than-life Atari joystick replica by Jason Torchinsky, on display at Felt Club XL. Then, 8-bit help for those suffering from projectile dysfunction disorder.