Gallery: The retro tech hiding in CES 2013's dark corners

Thursday, March 7, 2013 - 5:40pm

We know: CES 2013 was a while ago. Poking through some old images, though, we noticed something. CES showcases the absolute bleeding edge of consumer technology, but it's also surprisingly filled with plenty of gadgets echoing the lines (and functions) of generations past.

This trend is not just reflected in the styles that we saw, but the technology itself. We saw gadgets that looked like they belonged to any decade between the 1930s through the '70s, and you couldn't walk very far at all without tripping over a record player. There were also plenty of vacuum tubes on display (not just the token one or two that give you the audiophile’s preferred "warm" tones).

We hope you enjoy this look back and forward.

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These Hivi F10 Speakers look more at home in one of those 1960s-era console stereos that were more hardwood furniture than electronic component.

The Crosley CR56 Payphone clearly stands out in this collection of retro standards. At one time, phones like these were all there was in the house, and were often in the kitchen. Ahh, memories of hushed conversations so that everyone in the house wouldn't know what girl at school you liked.

While nothing like these ever existed in the twentieth century, the styling is from the Wurlitzer-style Jukebox, and the 1970's Fisher-style fabric covering the speakers were taken from earlier years.

While this one could easily pass for something Panasonic might have made in the ‘60s, it cleverly conceals its Bluetooth capability.

This cool-looking old Jukebox makes me wonder if Arnold's had Wi-Fi and if the Fonz needed to reset the router from time to time.

Hard to believe this cutting-edge technology show features a turntable in every flavor and color of the rainbow. I wonder if they play 78s?

Look at those gold LPs on this portable player.If they could only go back and tell the cassette tape that they would be the ones to survive to the 21st century.

This stereo by Kaito (Ka619) reminded me so much of a real 1940s-era radio that I had restored. We decided to share them both with you so you can see the similarities in styling. Of course, the Kaito CD/CDRW/MP3 and has a composite USB connector. The 1940s original does get AM very well, though.

These amps from Four Channel have more tubes in them than a black-and-white TV.

Can you spot the suspicious looking iPod dock in this rotary/console-style phone from Pyle? These days, something like this is probably closer in styling to something steampunk.