Technabob » antique

115 Year Old Electric Car Matches the Mileage of a Chevy Volt

Conner Flynn — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:00:40 +0000

Sometimes when we think that technology is marching forward, it isn’t as a big of a deal as we thought and you find out that someone has had the technology for years already. Take the Chevy Volt for instance. These cars have a lot of cutting edge technology packed inside. Or so we thought. However, there’s one single 115-year-old car that can match it’s mileage.

The Chevy Volt will cost you $32,000 today, but the Roberts electric vehicle – built all the way back in 1896 – gets 40 miles to a charge, just like the Volt. It actually was built 12 years before Ford’s Model T, for that matter. The current owner of the vehicle says that it runs great, even competing in some classic car derbies and doing okay. No word on what he paid for this antique car, but it is one of a kind, built before mass production. It’s so unique that the steering mechanism is a tiller instead of a wheel.

Yes there really is an electric car this old. “The man” didn’t want you to know about it so that he could sell you his gas and oil, or so I hear. Sorry Chevy, you’ll have to up your game now.

[via The Daily Caller via Geek]

Gold-Plated Pencil Pistol: Mightier Than a Sword

Lambert Varias — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:52:06 +0000

An elegantly concealed weapon covered in gold, this 1948 .22 cal pencil-pistol was made by The Late Maharaja of Jodhpur, who gave it as a present to Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India. Sounds like a (minor) treasure worthy of Nathan Drake doesn’t it? The pencil has a removable tip, which covers the 2 3/4-inch barrel. The rear of the pencil contains the “sliding breech and concealed trigger.”

While it’s form makes it pretty stealthy, the Maharaja borked his own stealthy design by engraving the words “Gun Shop Jodphur, 1948″ on the pen. Kind of a giveaway, don’t you think?

The golden plated pencil-pistol is just one of the many antique weapons that will be auctioned off on June 24 by Holt’s Auctioneers, and is expected to fetch between £700 to £900 (approx. $1,000 to $1,300 USD). The lot also includes the pen’s “its original red celluloid velvet lined display case with makers label, provision for ten rounds of ammunition, a cleaning rod” and papers that prove its heritage.

A 20th-century pistol shaped like a pencil that’s wrapped in gold made by a Maharaja and given to the last Viceroy of India for the price of a MacBook Pro? Now that’s a good deal.

[via Bornrich]

Steampunk Jewelry: Gears for Geeks

Range — Tue, 04 May 2010 20:28:24 +0000

Naturally, these cool pieces of handmade jewelry aren’t for everyone, but the steampunk allure that maker Ricky Wolbrom injects into her designs is kind of amazing if you are into the retro-mechanical look.

All of Ricky’s pieces are one-off or limited edition jewelry, neatly fitting into the steampunk genre, complete with all requisite gears and other antique bits and bobs. She’s got funky bracelets, rings, and pendants available in a variety of unique pieces.

What do you think? Will buy some for your geekette or your geek? Ricky’s designs are available at edmdesigns’ Maker’s Market store. Most pieces cost between $50 and $200 (USD).

[via Make:]

Bazookas for Sale: Perfect for Larping and Cosplays

Lambert Varias — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:50:56 +0000

I wish I had some extra cash right now, because I’d really like to have my own freakin’ rocket launcher – vintage Spanish bazookas are being sold right this instant at Centerfire Systems (store tagline: “Save Money. Shoot More”). The bazookas have been deactivated so I guess it’s okay to let kids play with it. That’s if they can lift the thing.

The bazookas are made of aluminum and were manufactured in Spain in the 1960s and 70s. Each one measures a whopping 70″ long, and is equipped with an optical sight, eyecup, shield, strap and bipod. It looks so awesome!!! And heavy.

Why are you still reading this? There are vintage bazookas for sale! This will be the best $200 (USD) you’ll ever spend. Go to Centerfire Systems and arm yourself soldier! And oh, if you’re from California I’m sorry but you can’t buy one of these. It says so on the product page. I wonder why.

[via Retro Thing]

Antique Radio Turned Into an Atom Pc: It Wooden Play Crysis

Lambert Varias — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:30:52 +0000

Get it? ‘Cause it’s a radio made of wood and okay you get it. Seriously though it’s an absolute beauty of a computer case, an old Delco wooden “tombstone style” radio that’s been gutted and fitted with computer hardware. It’s a perfect complement to the soviet TV pc. While it’s not as beautiful inside as it is outside because of it’s nettop innards, you’ve got to hand it to Etsy seller abrahambook for his clean work.

The wooden knob to the left of the analog radio dial serves as the power button; the radio dial lights up when the computer is turned on. The computer’s fan is directly behind the front screen, where the speaker used to be, so it serves as a dust filter.

As I said, the computer is fitted with an Intel Atom processor, specifically the 330, a 1.6 GHz Dual Core processor. The PC is also equipped with 2 GB of DDR2 RAM, an Intel GMA 950 with S-video output, a 250 GB 7200 rpm Seagate hard rive and a DVD-RW drive. Peripheral interfaces include 4 USB ports, 2 serial SATA ports, and PS/2 ports for old school mouse and keyboards. The motherboard is bolted on to the radio’s frame, but amrahambook says that the hard drive, DVD drive and power supply are secured by “a very strong type of Velcro”, making removal or replacement relatively easy.

So yeah, it’s still kinda antique specs-wise, but it can do a lot more than a radio now. abrahambook is selling the computer for $625 (USD) on Etsy. He says he’ll install any OS that you request, but he wooden say if he’ll charge extra for that. Heheh. Did it again.

[via Coolest Gadgets]

From My Book to Fake Book: Stealth Hard Drive

Alisha K. — Tue, 12 May 2009 12:22:37 +0000

Western Digital may plaster the name “My Book” onto a line of hard drives, but that doesn’t mean they are actual books, or really, that they even resemble books. But that doesn’t mean they can’t, so long as you’re willing to apply a little elbow grease. Artistic talent seems to help, too, if you want to hide your hard drive on a shelf of old books.

A little leather, a little gold paint, and a lot of aging (and care!) turned a hard drive into something that’s perfectly at home on this shelf. But it certainly doesn’t look like this was an easy project, nor one for the crafter with little patience.

Leather bound data! The result is gorgeous, and just one of the artist’s several similar projects.

[via deviantART]

Neo-Victorian Keyboard and Monitor [Steampunk]

Lambert Varias — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 12:40:43 +0000

Here’s something that the LXG would greatly appreciate: hardware modder/antique & scuttlefish lover/ potential Cthulhu worshipper Paradox has created what he calls a “Neo-Victorian keyboard”; he also modded a widescreen monitor to go along with it.

Paradox said that it took him well over a month to modify a 12.5″ x 6″ mini USB keyboard and turn it into the temporal aberration you see above. He modified nearly 2 sets of typewriter keys and hand-made the wooden spacebar.

Even though it looks rickety, Paradox said that the keyboard is really smooth and easy to use, and if for some reason the innards break, you can easily take it out and replace it – with what I don’t know, maybe innards made of sacrificial offerings embossed with chants – which means you’ll still have the scary exterior.

To match the keyboard, Paradox framed a 24″ widescreen Samsung LCD monitor, and then attached it to a desk arm so that it can be “positioned in any angle and stretch out a radius of a couple feet.” Also, the desk arm makes it look like the monitor is floating in mid-air.

As you can see there is a hinge in the frame that allows access to the monitor’s controls.

I don’t think he’s selling the monitor mod, but Paradox is selling the keyboard for a whopping $600. If you find his scuttlefish steampunk style appealing, you can contact him here. Don’t ever contact me. Kidding.

Paradox is planning on making a matching computer case. And then he’ll summon Cthulhu. By email.

[Tentacle Paradox via Steampunk Workshop]

Rare Elektronika-7 Vacuum Tube Clock Shows Up on Ebay

Technabob — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:20:43 +0000

When I first spotted this dot-matrix numbers on this clock I thought it was a modern-day blue LED display. But lurking beneath the surface of this timepiece is something far more interesting.

What we actually have here is a very rare Russian relic from the early 1980s. The Elektronika-7 (Электроника-7) clock was built using vacuum tubes, not LEDs to drive its unique bluish-green display.

The old industrial clock uses 16 segmented tubular vacuum fluorescent displays (VFDs) to form its digits.

This extreme rarity can be yours if you manage to score the winning bid in the next few hours (currently at $150 plus shipping). Check out the auction over on eBay for more details.

The Candelabra Gets an LED Makeover

Technabob — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:33:02 +0000

The first thing that pops into my mind when I hear the word “candelabra” is The Phantom of the Opera. The second is Liberace. The third is an old episode of Scooby Doo involving a haunted mansion. I’m reasonably certain that the words electronic and modern aren’t anywhere on the list. Of course, I’ve been wrong before.

French designer Philippe Boulet decided it was finally time to bring the old tabletop relic into the new Millennium. His modern spin on the candelabra replaces the old wax-dripping candles with cylindrical LED shafts which radiate colored light.

No more messy wax or fire hazards here. Just pure low-voltage modern technology. They’re available in two designs: a color-changing jeweltone (€200/$317 US), or a hand-embellished lace pattern (€300/$475 US). Both can be found over at Lux et Déco (L.E.D., get it?).

Steampunk Laptop Winds Up to Power on

Technabob — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 01:10:56 +0000

This amazing laptop creation by Datamancer beautifully melds old world style with modern technology. Under the hood of this lovingly handcrafted wood case is a Hewlett-Packard ZT1000 notebook computer, running Windows XP and Ubuntu Linux.

The system features intricate clock mechanisms below a glass top, brass details, leather wrist pads and even claw feet. The highlight of the system is a gorgeous keyboard with antiqued copper keys.

My favorite touch: the system turns on when you turn a key from an old clock winding mechanism.

Kudos to Datamancer for a job well done.

[via MAKE]

Skull and Crossbones Clock: Ooh, That’s Scary!

Technabob — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 14:35:46 +0000

This amazing clock may have been constructed almost 400 years ago, but it’s just as bone-chilling as it was back then. To tell the time, just crack open his skull cap, and the clock is where his brains should be.

The skull and crossbones automaton clock has a mechanical moving jaw, and snakes that dart out of its eyeballs. The Watchismo Times describes it best:

“During the first minute, the skull’s expression seems to smile, the second minute it seems to laugh, the next appears to scream and finally, the jaws snap shut, as if the skull were trying to bite something. At the same time, one of the snakes slowly sinks back down into one of the eye sockets, while the other slowly comes out of the other eye, before retracting suddenly, as the first snake again springs out from its eye-socket.”

I guess you shouldn’t put your fingers in the mouth of this thing if you want to keep them.

The gilded brass clock was built in 1610 by Nicolaus Schmidt der Junger in Augsberg, Germany and recently sold for $135,000. I guess I won’t be able to have this in my haunted house this Halloween.

[via Born Rich]