5 Analog Devices That Should Return & 5 That Need to Stay Gone

#5: Floppy Disks - Stay Gone

We’re starting our list with a piece of technology so iconic, it’s still used as the default save icon in most applications. Before the wonders of modern storage devices, the floppy disk was how we stored data. They work by using a magnetic storage medium, which contains digital data. So they’re sort of both analog and digital. Either way, they have no place in modern society, except for their retro aesthetic. In the 70s and 80s, they were the primary way to store data. A 3.5-inch floppy would’ve stored at most roughly 2 megabytes of data, not enough for most modern pictures.

#5: Handheld Video Cameras - Return

Almost all modern cameras will be digital, but in recent years, old-fashioned analog cameras have had a rise in popularity. For instance, Polaroid cameras have made a comeback as a piece of retro technology. This makes us wish analog camcorders would return, too. Sure, you can record some footage on your phone, then edit it to have the camcorder aesthetic, but it’s not the same. Of course, storing your footage is way more inconvenient, needing to be kept on things like tapes. Still, the extra time and effort it takes make it a more satisfying hobby, so maybe they’ll make a comeback soon.

#4: Old School Projectors - Stay Gone

If you went to school before everyone had a laptop, you’ll remember overhead projectors. It used to be the case that teachers couldn’t simply whip up a PowerPoint, then plug it in and hit play. Instead, overheard projectors were common, which literally just projected a piece of plastic with writing on it onto a screen. This meant teachers would instead bring lesson plans made on plastic sheets, then project them in front of the class. It often proved to be a painful experience. There were frequent technical issues, and if a teacher didn’t check that it was centered properly, you couldn’t see half of the paper.

#4: Physical Maps - Return

Before our phones all came loaded with live GPS and map apps, we had to read physical maps to figure out where we were. Using them to go from point A to point B could be a real challenge if you weren’t skilled enough. Satnavs have been around for decades, in fairness, but not everyone had one, and getting them to work could be a different kind of challenge. Traditional paper maps are harder to use than digital ones, but they’re so much nicer to hold, feel, and look at, plus you feel amazing when reading one gets you to your destination.

#3: CRT Televisions - Stay Gone

Before the flat-screen TV revolution, Cathode ray tube TVs were the way to go. They were ridiculously clunky compared to modern standards. CRTs aren’t made for the general consumer like they once were, but you can still find them. This has made them something of a collector's item. In the 2020s, they have made a minor comeback, making their prices the highest they’ve been in years. This is mainly because retro media was all made for CRTs, so things like old video games look far superior on them. Still, we don’t think they should make a major comeback anytime soon, due to their size and the fact that they can, although rarely, implode.

#3: VCR Tapes - Return

VHS was the standard form of storing video for decades. This has made many who grew up with it nostalgic for its return, just like vinyl. Unfortunately, VCR tapes are far less durable than vinyl. Despite this, nothing can compare to the charm of sliding a tape into the VHS player. A surprising number of places still use them, like schools, libraries, and nursing homes. You can also get a lot of decorations made out of old tapes, giving your home a retro aesthetic. They were also great because you could record live television shows on them, which is one of the most old fashioned methods of video piracy.

#2: Dial-Up Modems - Stay Gone

Your computer losing its wi-fi connection entirely because your parent picked up the phone must sound crazy to the kids of today. Well, for years, dial-up internet was the fastest option available. As the name implies, it worked via telephone networks. Its popularity peaked around the turn of the century and was replaced by the rise of broadband. With modern fibre optic technologies, dial-up feels like a distant nightmare, one we don’t personally want to relive. Although we have to confess, the sounds it used to make will live rent-free in our brains for eternity.

#2: Rotary Phones - Return

A gadget from old movies that looks oddly satisfying to use is a rotary phone. It doesn’t work differently from any old landline, except for the fact that it’s got a cool spinning dial. They’re one of the most essential retro devices. They’ve existed since the late 19th century, but phone technology has come a long way since then, making them especially uncommon. They’re not as appealing as smartphones, as you can’t get apps or games on them. That doesn’t stop us from wanting them to come back, simply for the satisfying noises it makes when you dial in a phone number.

#1: LaserDisc - Stay Gone

Before DVDs, the major alternative to VHS tapes was LaserDisc. They were incredible for storing an analog video signal. They were primarily popular in Japan and Southeast Asia, but basically vanished in the 2000s. During the 80s and 90s, they became a bit of a collector's item for videophiles, but weren’t mainstream like VHS. They were clunky, impractical, fragile, and expensive to make. Also, they were super loud, plus they could only store an hour of footage. This meant halfway through every film, you’d have to flip the disc, much like a vinyl record. Hence why we don’t expect this format to make a comeback anytime soon.

#1: Cassette - Return

Our final entry for today’s list is one of the most aesthetic ways to store audio: cassette tapes. For a while, they were considered out-of-date relics from the last century. Well, in the 2020s, they’re becoming increasingly popular, and we hope this trend continues. It’s not at all about sound quality; they sound abysmal. Instead, it’s about the warmth of the experience. Nothing compares to the feeling of slotting a tape in, hearing it click as it begins, then watching it spin along as it plays your music. Vinyl has been mainstream again for a while now, and someday soon, cassettes might be just as popular.

Do you agree with our picks, or do you think we missed some iconic devices? Let us know in the comments below!