In a world where smartphones and streaming services dominate, I’ve found myself drawn back to the technology of my parents and grandparents’ youth. There’s something incredibly nostalgic about VCRs, VHS tapes, video cameras, and wall phones that modern devices just can’t replicate.

Rediscovering VCRs and VHS tapes has been a delightful journey. I have always been interested in the experience of inserting a tape and waiting for a movie to play. It’s a stark contrast to the instant gratification of digital media, and I find it oddly comforting. It’s really cool to me that now, people can find VHS tapes and VCRs at the local thrift stores. In today’s world, we have Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and more streaming services. Back then, there was Blockbuster where one would rent the movie you wanted to watch. And when you were finished watching, you have to rewind the tape and return it. It’s really eye opening to me to see how much technology and movie watching experiences have evolved over the past decade.

 Vintage video cameras have also caught my eye. These once bulky and cumbersome devices now hold a unique appeal. The grainy, nostalgic quality of the footage they produce is perfect for capturing moments at home with your family. I remember my dad every year filming us on Christmas morning, opening our presents, running down the stairs, and capturing the whole experience on old school video cameras with tapes. Watching the home videos of me and my brother as kids is quite the experience. The old, grainy footage up on the TV with the volume barely audible, is a memory I will never forget. Sitting on my couch, looking at videos of little me is something i’ve become so grateful for and happy to see.

And let’s not forget wall phones. These were once a staple in every household, and now they’re making a comeback as charming decor pieces. There’s something special about the deliberate act of dialing a number on a rotary phone or hearing the ring of a wall-mounted unit. I will admit, smartphones are cool devices, but I do wish I got to have a taste of what it was like with rotary phones and wall phones..

My parents would often tell me that when they were kids, they spent all of their time outside with friends. They say it’s because they didn’t have technology like phones and streaming services tying them down at home and sucking them in for hours upon hours. Children weren’t getting phones and tablets at the age of 6, children weren’t sitting in their room constantly staring at the television. Hearing about these old-school technologies has been a way for me to reconnect with simpler times. It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come as a world, but also of the unique experiences that older technology can still offer.