Five Fabulous Retro Device Hacks [Hack Things]
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Five Fabulous Retro Device Hacks

Joe Heitzeberg
March 25, 2013

(Photo) A close-up photo of a nixie tube clock displaying the time 10:44:09. Text: 10:44:09 object | indoor | nixie tubes, glowing digits | #f87000 | #c0c0c0 | macro | Colors: #f87000, #c0c0c0 Note: The image is a photograph of a physical object, a clock. It captures the clock's appearance and the time displayed.

Here at Hack Things we feel a certain nostalgia for old-school vintage goods — many of which seem to be getting replaced by iOS apps on a daily basis. It’s refreshing to see projects that bring new life to vintage goods. Here are five fabulous retro devices hacks that we admire.

1) USB Typewriter

For around $49, the USB Typewriter DIY Soldering Kit uses an Arduino to rewire vintage typewriters to turn them into fully digital keyboard input devices.

(Photo) A vintage Royal typewriter is connected to a modern Apple computer with a wire, likely repurposed as a keyboard. Text: ROYAL objects | indoor | typewriter, computer, wire connection | product Note: The image is a real-life photograph of physical objects, not a drawn illustration or a designed logo/banner.

2) Gameboy MIDI Rewire

A hacker named “hoehoe” has repurposed a Nintendo Game Boy as the output device for a MIDI controller known as MAX/MSP.

(Photo) A photo of a Nintendo Game Boy connected to a small keyboard and some electronics. Text: Nintendo GAME BOY electronics | indoor | Game Boy, keyboard, wires, circuit board | #d8d8d8 | #000000 | #a0a0a0 | close-up | Colors: #d8d8d8, #000000, #a0a0a0 Note: The image is a real-world photograph of electronic devices. It captures a scene rather than representing a logo, banner, or other graphic element.

3) Vintage Wifi Radio (Instructables)

Instructables has a project guide for turning a vintage radio into an internet-connected Wifi radio using an off-the-shelf wifi radio and some wiring.

(Photo) A photo of a vintage-style radio with a wooden case and gold accents. A digital display and modern buttons suggest it has been modernized. Text: FM Radio 91.9 32 kbps 14kHz object | indoor | vintage radio, digital display, gold accents, wooden case | #8b4513 | #b87333 | #000080 | close-up | Colors: #8b4513, #b87333, #000080 Note: The image is a real-world photograph of an object. It captures the details and appearance of a radio.

4) Raspberry Pi Nixie Clock

Project explains how to create a beautiful clock out of Nixie Tubes and a Raspberry Pi.

(Photo) A close-up photo of a nixie tube clock displaying the time 10:44:09. Text: 10:44:09 object | indoor | nixie tubes, glowing digits | #f87000 | #c0c0c0 | macro | Colors: #f87000, #c0c0c0 Note: The image is a photograph of a physical object, a clock. It captures the clock's appearance and the time displayed.

5) Analog VU meter and Clock (Arduino Powered)

This project explains how to repurpose old analog VU meters into digitally-controlled ones.

(Photo) The image shows two analog voltmeters, one labeled "Hour" and the other "Minute", likely repurposed for a clock or timer. Text: 2 7 9013 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Hour V - 11 12 20 30 40 10 50 Minute V 90043 object | indoor | Two voltmeters, labeled 'Hour' and 'Minute', with illuminated dials. | close-up Note: The image is a real-world photograph of two voltmeters. It captures the physical objects and their details.

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