The blogosphere is abuzz with speculation surrounding the alleged 1928 time traveler seen talking on a cell phone in Charlie Chaplin's silent film, 'Circus.' I have but one question: What kind of phone was this 1928 time traveler using?
In all seriousness, retro revival has devices blurring the lines between decades left and right. Charlie Chaplin and the entire cast of 'Circus' (including the 1928 time traveler) have nothing on this list of old school gadgets.
55 Decade-Confused Devices
In Honor of the Charlie Chaplin Film's 1928 Time Traveler:
Armida Ascano — Oct 28, 2010 — Art & Design
55
Toy Tablet Protectors
The Etch a Sketch iPad Case Shows This Tablet is All Fun and Games
54
Portable Rotary Phones (UPDATE)
For Haters of the 'Califronia Hands Free Law'
53
Retooled Hot Rods
Bo Zolland's ‘33-34' Automobile is a Blast from the Past
52
Papercraft Phonographs
GGRP Corrugated Cardboard Envelope Unfolds Into Record Player
51
Wood Paneled Playstations
Steampunked PS3 Brings Old School to the Future
50
Vintage Calculator Apps
iPhone Gets Old School With Hewlett Packard
49
Hardwood Flash Drives
The Narrow Bridge Steampunk USB Comes in a Faux Vintage Tin Box
48
Retro Smartphone Covers
The Cassette iPhone Case Makes Everything Old School
47
Carved Computer Cases (UPDATE)
The Rainer Spehl Laptop Case Screams Classic Masculinity
46
Vintage Luggage Speakers
The BoomCase Turns Old Suitcases into Boomboxes
45
Astonishing Analogue Amplifiers
The Bone Collection iPhone Speaker is Electricity-Free
44
Old-School Style Gadgets
The Boombox iPod Cradle Keeps It Fresh
43
Old School Phone Holders
This Retro iPhone Phone Dock is a Blast From the Past
42
Toy-Inspired Digi Cams
The Holga D's Design is Inspired by the Original Holga Camera
41
Retro Gadget Protectors
The Etch A Sketch iPhone Cover is the Best Thing Ever
40
Old Walkman As iPod Camouflage
Hidepod?
39
Cutting-Edge Old Clocks
Fred Niell's Indicator-6 Nixie Clock Blends Retro & Nouveau
38
Faux Brick Phones
Carry Your New Mobile Like Your Old School Cell Phone
37
Retro Instant Photo Revival
Resurrecting Old Polaroid Film and Camera Models is Reality (UPDATE)
36
The Return of "New Retro"
First Gen iPods As Fashion Accessory
35
Reinventing Retro Gadgets
DIY iPod Cigarette Case
34
Steampunk Goggles
Mac McGowan Designs Victorianesque Eyewear
33
Vintage Camera Disguises
The Wooden Camera Tape Dispenser Plays Tricks on Your Eyes
32
Revamped Toy Weaponry
The Steampunk Nerf Vulcan is Battery-Powered Vintage Fun
31
Old School Tech Wallets
Retro Pocket Wear Likes Like An Old Cassette Tape
30
Viewmaster-Inspired Shades
The Vintage Red Walter Van Beirendonck Sunglasses are Nostalgic
29
Musical Pencil Cases
The Cassette Tape Pouch Makes Great Back-To-School Gift
28
DIY Hot Rods
'VooDoo' Converts an Old Philco Refrigerator into a Hot Rod
27
Retro Gadget Pillows
Floppy Disc Pillows From MyMimi Provide Cuddly Gadgetry
26
Retro MP3 Converters
The HIDEOTO Cassette Tape Deck Brings Back Your Old-School Beats
25
Designer Digital Jukeboxes
Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 5
24
Touchscreen Fax Machines
The Panasonic KX-PW821 Proves That the Fax Isn't Dead Just Yet
23
Spherical Steampunk Writers
The Writing Ball is a Peculiar Vintage Typewriter
22
Vintage Vinyl Accessories
The Turntable Necklace Will Show Off Your Love for Music
21
USB Floppy Disks
Reinvented Retro Gadgets
20
Cassette-Inspired Hard Drives
The Freecom Mobile Drive CLS is a Retro Throwback
19
Hefty Vintage Phones
The Ediphone Concept Brings Us Back to a Simpler Time
18
Retro Arcade Clocks
The Pac Man Alarm Clock Wakes You Up in Old School Style
17
Ghetto Blaster Watch Bling
Is the Blaster Boom Box Watch Pendant Inspired by Flavor Flav?
16
40s Lamp Revivals
Robolux Flower Power Lamp Projects a Floral Pattern on Your Wall
15
Polaroid Pendants
Pay Homage to the Polaroid Camera With a Snappy Necklace
14
Old School Gaming Chargers
This Nintendo Controller i-Dock Recharges Your iPhone in Retro Fashion
13
Designer 35MM
Leica M7 Edition Hermes Combines Old School Tech With Hip Designs
12
Water Powered Calculator
11
Retro Tech Periodicals
Cassette Tape Magazine Reads Like a Micro Blog, Looks Like an Old Cassette
10
Polaroid 2.0
The PoGo Portable Instant Digital Prints
9
Old School Weather Monitors
Sputnik Barometer Weather Station with Steampunk Look
8
Time-Traveling Carriers
The Big Business Case Collection is Where Old School Meets New
7
Medieval Internet Detectors
WiFi Dowsing Rod Gives a New Purpose to an Old Gadget
6
Traveling Turntables
The Crosley Echo is Designed to be Taken Anywhere
5
Throwback Gaming Lighters
The Sega Zippos Would Make a Geek Start Smoking
4
Fake Record iPod Cases
MP3 Case Looks Like an Old School Vinyl Player
3
Two-in-One Retro Calculators
Revamped Old-School Typewriters as Calculators
2
Foghorn-Style Speakers
Teac and Avantgarde Make Postmodern Speakers
1
Speedy Music Players
The Sonic the Hedgehog MP3 Player is for Old School Sega Gamers
Related Ideas
Transparent Aluminum Smartphones
This Nothing Phone (2) Concept by 4RMD Imagines a Next-Gen Device
Premium Retro Mobile Phones
Nokia Presents the Nokia 150 and Nokia 130 as 'Dumb Phones'
Micro-Sized Alt Smartphones
The Nothing Phone (2a) Micro Was Shown Off for April Fool's Day
Industrial Cellphone Concepts
The Nokia N90 x Nothing Concept by Viet Doan Duc is Retro and Modern
Accessible Space Age Timepieces
The Timex Marlin Jet Has a Midcentury Modern Design at a Low Cost
Virus-Detecting Smartwatches
Designer Dot's VICLONE Smart Watch Detects Known Viral Infectants
Nostalgic Gaming Timepieces
The Retro Gaming Watch Brings Gameplay to the Wrist
See-Through Mobile Typewriters
The Freewrite Traveler Ghost Edition Has a Crystalline Finish
Horror-Themed Phone Campaigns
Samsung's Join the Flip Side Takes Cues from 90s Horror Movies
Magsafe Clock Smartphone Accessories
Hyunsub Shin and Yeji Han Designs the Olock Phone Addition
Vintage-Inspired Instant Cameras
Fujifilm Introduces the INSTAX MINI 99 Point and Shoot Camera
Mini Transparent Smartphone Concepts
The Nothing mini phone by Priyanshu Jaiswal is Customizable
Pocket-Sized Gaming Consoles
The SEGA-DBS is a Retro Console with a Digital Calendar
Brand-Honoring Digital Timepieces
Hodinkee's G-SHOCK Ref. 5600 by Ben Clymer Rounds Out the Series
Previous Generation Smartphone Concepts
This iPhone 4 Concept by Nathan Basset Looks to the Past
Fan-Made Digital Audio Players
The Nothing Npod (1) Draws Inspiration from the iPod Shuffle
Futuristic Camping Trailers
LG's 'Bon Voyage' is Capable Of Towing Small & Large Vehicles Alike
Minimalist Industrial Cameras
This Braun Instant Camera Concept by Arihant R Israni is Sleek
AI-Powered Calculators
The 'OBSCURA' Calculator Concept by Divyansh Tripathi is Ultra-Advanced
Cat-Inspired Camera Collections
Hello Kitty's Strawberry Kawaii Collection is Nostalgic and Fresh
Nostalgic Flip Phone Concepts
The Nokia N90 by Viet Doan Duc Reimagines a Vintage Design
Millennium-Inspired Cellphones
These New Nokia Phones are Nostalgic with Modern Features
Nostalgic Beer Brand Phones
The Boring Phone by Heineken Helps Adults Focus on What Really Matters
Quad-Lens GIF Cameras
The Moment 3D Camera by Olga Orel Captures Scenes from Four Lenses
Retro Sporty Luxe Accessories
adidas Presents a New Series of Nostalgic Retro Accessories
Watch-Like Smart Phones
Fire-Boltt's WristPhone Offers Crystal-clear Calls and So Much More
Smartphone Photographer Sling Bags
The Shiftcam Workflow Sling Addresses Mobile User Needs
Stacked Stone Camera Projectors
'The Nostalgia of Now' by Josh Schwefel is Naturalistic
Retro Smartphone Music Systems
The Conceptual 'RE:PLAY' Smartphone Music Player is Nostalgic
Multifunctional Foldable Mobile Devices
The Conceptual 'Move' Mobile Device Replaces Five Devices
Retro Camera-Like Speaker Concepts
The Kodak C400R Bluetooth Speaker by Hyunjun Yu is Minimalist
Tech-Infused Analog Radios
Mark Choi Blends Retro Aesthetics and Modern Technology with i Ready O
Sea-Inspired Anti-Smartphone Cocktails
The Futago Smartphone-Fasting Sour Encourages Socialization
Micro-Sized Mirrorless Cameras
The 'Yashica - I'm Back' Has Interchangeable Lenses and More
Cassette-Style Smartphone Chargers
The Remax Powerbank Tape Offers a Retro Way to Charge Up
Retro Transparent Cassette Players
NINM Lab Unveils the Nostalgic It's Real Cassette Player
Gradient Premium Timepieces
The Leica ZM 11 Timepieces is Made with Chronode Technology
Clutch Purse Smartphone Concepts
The Honor V Purse Transforms the Mobile Device into an Accessory
Retro Cartoon-Inspired Clogs
The Jetsons are Highlighted in the Latest Pair of Crocs
Dedicated Social Media Devices
The Conceptual Twitter 3D Gadget Features Mechanical Buttons
Advanced Video Call Prototypes
Logitech Unveils 'Pepper's Ghost' Booths for Immersive Video Calls
Floating Marble Cosmic Clocks
Zanwen Li Designs the Mobius Calendar Clock with Two Marbles
Sculptural Scrolling Photo Frames
The 'Flash Back' Device Concept Has a Nostalgic Design
Compact Body Cameras
The 'PhoneCam' Lets You Capture Footage Of Illegal or Threatening Behaviour
Reduced Connectivity Mobile Devices
The Minimal Phone Combats Against Too Much Scrolling
Celebratory Analog Camera Collections
The Lomography Classics Cameras Celebrate 30-Years
Convention-Challenging AC Campaigns
Samsung's WindFree Ad Stars a Savvy Grandma-Fluencer
Nostalgic Nixie Tube Timepieces
The NEONWORKS BTF Nixie Watch Has a Retro-Modern Design
Pinkish Toy-Inspired Tech Products
The Caviar #Barbiecore Collection is Opulently Pink
Activewear-Branded Smartphones
The Conceptual Adidas FOG Phone Highlights the Three Stripes Logo
Anti-Distraction Communication Devices
The 'Beepberry' Only Works with the Beeper App
Modernized AI-Powered Typewriters
The 'Ghostwriter' AI Typewriter by Arvind Sanjeev is Intuitive
Nostalgic Mobile Gamer Devices
The Retroid Pocket Flip Has a Throwback, Clamshell Design
Posh Celebratory Pocket Watches
The Citizen 100th Anniversary Special Edition Pocket Watch is Chic
Sculptural Pebble-Shaped Cameras
The 'Ditto' Camera Concept Captures with Holographic Effect
Resurrected Used Smartphones
Think Tank Team Makes Artifacts with Project Afterlife
Flexible Folding Concept Phone
Samsung's Flex in & Out Flip is a Bending Phone Concept
Retro Cassette Brick Puzzles
The LEGO Sony Walkman is Designed by Srta.JirafaEnfadada
Exclusive Movie-Inspired Cameras
Leica's D-Lux 7 007 Edition Celebrates 60 Years of James Bond
Sleek Modern Timepiece Homage
Casio Releases the Limited-Edition TRN-50 Timepiece
Cannery-Inspired Phone Boxes
LookUp Makes Digital Detox Tools in the Shape of Fish Tins
Memory-Making Retro Camera Concepts
The Polaroid Duo Modular Instant Camera is a Sleek Concept
Voice-Assistant Sunglasses
Lucyd Debuted its 2.0 Smart Sunglasses with Various Improvements
Fun-Focused Festival Phones
The Brahma Phone is a Pared-Back Device for a Worry-Free Experience
Global Timezone Timepieces
Nik Bentel Studio and TTT Watches Creates the Time Traveler
Nostalgic Handheld Gaming Phones
The Samsung Young Entertainer Nods to Earlier Eras
Retro Full-Frame Cameras
Nikon's 'Z f' Camera Blends Old-School Aesthetics & Futuristic Features
Archaeologist Adventurer Timepieces
The Hamilton Boulton Watch is Worn in the New Indiana Jones
Mechanical Candle-Inspired Timers
The 'CClock' Candle Timer by Pelin Özbalcı is Calming
Subtly Playful Timepieces
The Timex Snoopy Space Traveler Watch Has a Monochromatic Design
Spatial Video Communication Devices
Wehead, Shown at CES 2023, Lets Users Look Around Remotely
Recycled Plastic Instant Cameras
The Polaroid Now Generation 2 i-Type is Retro and User-Friendly
Anti-Smartphone Bedside Alarm Clocks
These New Mudita Clocks Have a Minimalist, Tranquil Design
Crystalline Handheld Gaming Devices
The Analogue Pocket: Transparent Limited Editions are Stylish
Retrofuturistic Tube Amplifier Jukeboxes
LG Introduces the DukeBox with a Clear OLED Display
Phone Box-Inspired Building Sets
LEGO Introduces its Red London Telephone Box Set
Ocular Support Smartphones
The TCL 40 NXTPAPER is a CES 2024 Innovation Optimized for Human Eyes
Camera-Mounted Photo Digitizers
This Device Lets You Transform Film Negatives Into Digital Files
Charged Phone Ads
Apple's 'Miss You' Ad Features a Personified Plug Longing for a Phone to Charge
Clamshell Gaming Devices
Retroid Teased an Upcoming Retroid Pocket Foldable Gaming Handheld
Connected Productivity Assistant Timers
The 'Focush' Productivity Timer Keeps Users Focused
Transparent TV-Speaker Hybrids
The LG DukeBox is Coming to CES 2024
Retro 3D-Printed Bags
Coperni's CD-PLAYER Swipe Bag Resembles a Portable Music Player
Quantum Security Smartphones
The Huawei Mate 60 Pro is Being Upgraded by China Telecom
Unique Timekeeping Devices
TempoFlow is a Rolling Ball Clock Project Based in Hong Kong
Revamped Color-Blocked Cameras
MAD Paris and Casablanca Drop a Reimagined Contax G2
Retrospective Travel Accessories Exhibit
Rimowa Celebrates 125 Years with a New Exhibit
Quirky Strummable Synths
This Reimagined Electronic Synth is a Throwback to the 1980s
Multifunctional Sleek Pill Dispenser
Chanho Ju Designs the Clock Pill Dispenser Concept
Leather-Accented Instant Cameras
This NEIGHBORHOOD Polaroid SX-70 Foldable Camera is Custom-Modded
Portable Photobooth Printers
The HP Sprocket Photobooth is Debuting at CES 2024
Simplistic Folding Clamshell Smartphones
Andrea Mangone Designs the Minimal 0/1 Phone
Weekend Excursion City Vehicles
The Playbox Urban Mobility Vehicle is Imagined for 2040
Modernized Video Cameras
The Kodak Super 8 Camera Revives the Brand's Analog Hardware
Creative Manual Instant Cameras
Polaroid Unveils the New I-2 Camera with Instant Film
Luxury Handheld Camera Bags
KidSuper Designs This Louis Vuitton-Branded Camera Bag
Security Camera Multifunctional Clocks
The Swap Clock by Jungmin Park is Also Surveillance
Portable Holographic Displays
Looking Glass Go Shares Memories as 3D Holograms, Not Photos
Anniversary-Commemorating Cat Watches
Casio Previews its New Hello Kitty Watch Collaboration
Bespoke Brass Vintage Clocks
Sergey's Nixei Tube Vintage Clock is Inspired by the 19th Century
Nostalgic Mobile Gaming Adapters
The Epilogue GB Operator Plays Retro Game Cartridges
Miniature Haptic Communicators
ONECOM's FINTIN V1 is a CES 2024 Innovation Award Winner
AI-Generated Feature Films
'Man With AI Movie Camera' Will Be Generated on a Long, Single Prompt
Retro Instant Polaroid Cameras
Fujifilm's Brand New Instax SQ40 Has a Large Square Film
Distraction-Free Mobile Devices
The pgLang Light Phone II Encourages Mindful Communication
Functional Gingerbread Cameras
Dmitri Tcherbadji Created a Camera That Shoots with Instant Film
Cinco de Mayo Campaigns
Cuervo with Haley Lu Richardson on a Celebratory Campaign
Cassette-Inspired Power Banks
The 'Flashtape' Wireless Magnetic Power Bank Has a Retro Design
Invisibility-Illusion Portable Cloaks
The Invisibility Shield Co. Relies on Science
Hands-Free Communication Devices
Milo is an Adventure-Friendly Walkie Talkie for the Outdoors
Heritage-Honoring Premium Timepieces
Rolex Honors its Roots with the First Perpetual 1908
Vintage Building Block Cameras
The LEGO Ideas Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera Set Arrives in 2024
Retro Social App Devices
Edwar Banquet Designs the Retro Instagram Gadget with a Console Shape
Vintage Projector Puzzle Kits
The LEGO Magic Lantern by Norders is a Functional Projector
Private Social Photo Apps
The 'Retro' App Focuses on Mindful Sharing with Select Others
Y2K-Themed Chargeable CD-Player Bags
Coperni Unveils a New Accessory Resembling CD Players
Iconic Doll-Inspired Pink Phones
Mattel is Joining HMD To Create a Real Barbie Flip Phone
DSLR Smartphone Teleprompters
The Padcaster 'Parrot Pro' Smartphone Teleprompter is Pro-Grade
Movie-Inspired Vintage Handbags
Nik Bentel Launches a New Bag Inspired by Wes Anderson's Movie
Tubular Illuminating Clocks
Urwerk Designs the Space-Time Clock Resembling a Lightsaber
Collaboration Retro Futurism Timepieces
The Girard-Perregaux x Saint Laurent Casquette 2.0 is Chic
Nostalgic Music Discovery Apps
The 'Rewind' App Helps Gen Z Delve Into the Music Of Past Decades
Old Film-Honoring Puzzle Collectibles
LEGO Presents the Walt Disney Tribute Camera Set
Color-Inspired Iconic Instant Film
POLAROID Debuts a Polaroid I-Type Film Pack in Peach Fuzz
Retro Phone-Inspired Label Makers
102 Design Lab Presents the Vintage Phone Labeling Machine
Language-Assistance Travel Devices
Fluentalk T1 Allows Users to Travel with Ease Despite Language
Distraction-Free Flip Phones
Consumer Cellular Unveils its 'Shot on Flip Phone' Campaign
High-End Instant Cameras
The Polaroid I-2 Fuses Analog and Modern Photography Technology
Noise-Filtering Motorcycling Headphones
The 'Packtalk Edgephones' Allow For Streamlined Conversing
Anniversary-Honoring Holograms
Walt Disney Comes Back as a Hologram for Disney's 100th Anniversary
Phone-Style Counting Toys
Leapfrog's Chat & Count Emoji Phone Mimics a Real Phone to Teach Numbers
Smartphone-Shot Live-Actions Films
Takashi Miike and Apple Presents the Midnight Film
Smartphone-Filmed Festive Campaigns
Apple Celebrates Lunar New Year with Little Garlic Film
Revamped Modern Phone Booths
100architects Brings Digital Touches to the Classic Phone Booth
Retro-Tinged Polaroid Cameras
Fujifilm's New SQUARE SQ40 Celebrates Vintage Photo Formats
Inflated Vibrant Futuristic Buses
Midjourney Helped Create the Mutated School Bus Design
Motion-Tracking Smartphone Tripods
The 'Insta360 Flow' is Perfect for Immersive Filmmaking
Connective Time Zone Apps
Clockwise Helps You Stay In Sync Across The Globe
Visualized Screen Time Apps
The 'Cyte' App Helps Users Search Their Digital History with Ease
Celebratory Chewing Gum Documentaries
'Bazooka Bubble Gum Turns 75' Marks a Milestone