10 Old-School Technologies Making Surprising Comebacks

Human brains haven’t changed significantly in the last ten thousand years, but our technology has advanced far faster than our Stone Age brains have. This mismatch between biology and innovation can make the complexity of our modern lives feel overwhelming at times. It’s no wonder that many of us feel nostalgic for simpler times when tools and technology were easier to fully understand.

In this list, we’ll study ten old-school technologies that are making surprising comebacks. Most of the technologies on this list were born between the 1940s and 1970s, which makes it unusual that they are coming back to prominence in the 24th year of the 21st century.

Our list explores a broad range of technologies: audio formats, gaming, writing tools, and car engines. Let’s rev up our personal engines, and let’s get ready to drive along the highway of 10 ancient technologies that are making a surprising comeback.

Related: 10 Everyday Things That Grew Out of Military Technology

10 The Reel-to-Reel Revival: Revox B77 MK III Brings Analog Back

Reel-to-reel tape recorders were the audiophile-preferred audio devices from the late 1940s to the late 1970s. They were ubiquitous among professional audio studios, radio stations, and committed audiophiles due to their exceptional sound quality. While cassette tapes and other convenient formats eventually dominated the consumer market in the 1980s, reel-to-reel machines remained staples in professional settings well into the 1990s. Now, they’re experiencing a revival among analog enthusiasts. The Revox B77 MK III is one of the standout models leading this resurgence.

The Revox B77 MK III combines vintage charm with modern functionality. This reimagined version of the recorder retains the trusted Revox motors and pickups while introducing improvements for greater durability and performance. Its updated features include a digital counter, EQ switching, and adjustable magnetization for refined playback and recording capabilities. Built in Germany, every unit is crafted with attention to detail, and production is limited to 20 units per month to maintain high-quality assurance standards.

Revox complements the B77 MK III with their Analog Master Tapes Collection, a set of high-quality recordings tailored for reel-to-reel enthusiasts. Priced at $15,950, the B77 MK III is designed for dedicated users who appreciate craftsmanship, nostalgia, and a high level of audio performance.^[1]

9 Return of the Three-Century Old Invention: The Typewriter

The typewriter, one of history’s most transformative inventions, began humbly in the early 18th century as a tool for the visually impaired to write legibly. The first typewriter patent was issued to Henry Mill in 1714, but he never actually built the device. By the 1860s, Christopher Latham Sholes, Samuel Soule, and Carlos Glidden developed the first practical typewriter, the Sholes and Glidden, known as the “Type-Writer.”

Manufactured by E. Remington and Sons in 1873, it introduced the QWERTY keyboard layout that we still use today. For over a century, typewriters were ubiquitous in offices, journalism, and personal correspondence, evolving from manual to electric models before computers replaced them in the late 20th century. Now, this emblematic machine is making an unexpected comeback.

Typewriters are once again capturing the imagination of a global nostalgic population that is weary of all of the state-of-the-art technology that has taken over our modern world. The typewriter’s simplicity, its calming rhythmic clacks, and its tactile feedback are very attractive to generations of people who feel that many things today are just too complicated. High-profile enthusiasts like Tom Hanks, who owns over 100 typewriters, and musician John Mayer are setting an inspiring tone, leading others to embrace this classic analog art. Typewriters have a way of stripping writing down to its essence in a way that computers and word processors can’t quite match.

Shops like Philly Typewriter are thriving as interest in the ancient technology surges. Co-owner Bill Rhoda attributes part of this resurgence to pop culture moments, such as Taylor Swift featuring a Royal 10 typewriter in one of her recent music videos. Demand for vintage typewriter models has skyrocketed, with collectors and newcomers alike seeking out these timeless machines.^[2]

8 The Surprising Resurgence of Cassette Tapes

Modern cassette tapes were born in 1963, a creation of the Philips company. Cassettes were designed to be a compact, portable alternative to reel-to-reel tape recorders. Initially, they were intended for dictation and home recording, but they quickly became a popular medium for music in the 1970s, thanks to improvements in sound quality and the introduction of portable players like the Sony Walkman in 1979. The tapes allowed users to create personalized mixtapes and enjoy music on the go, radically changing how people listened to and shared their music.

By the 1980s, cassettes dominated the music industry, outselling vinyl records and becoming the dominant medium for global music exchange. However, their decline began in the 1990s as compact discs rose to prominence. Cassette tapes couldn’t compete with the superior sound quality and durability of CDs. Yet, cassette tapes have been making a surprising comeback in recent years as retro trends gain momentum.

A new generation of listeners is discovering that cassette tapes offer an unfamiliar freshness compared to modern digital music forms. Big-name artists like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Harry Styles have released albums on cassette. Some artists have found that releasing music in unusual formats, such as vinyl and cassette tapes, can boost sales as buyers are drawn to items that stand out and feel unique.

Retailers are also jumping on board. Stores like Urban Outfitters now stock tapes, blank cassettes, and players for both collectors and newbies. For years, companies have pushed consumers toward more profitable systems like digital subscriptions. The result is that a growing number of people are pushing back, wanting to own their physical media rather than renting their music.^[3]

7 The Recent Re-Emergence of VHS Tapes

VHS tapes were born in the late 1970s and were created by the engineering team at JVC (Victor Company of Japan). They reshaped the movie experience by allowing people to watch films at home at whatever time they found most convenient. The first known movie released on VHS was the South Korean film The Young Teacher in 1976. By the 1980s, VHS had triumphed over Betamax, its main videotape competitor, and had become the de facto standard for commercial and home movies. However, by the late 1990s, it began losing ground to digital versatile discs, better known as DVDs, the newer and sleeker digital alternative.

However, the recent global retro craze has ushered in the unexpected comeback of the VHS tape. Nostalgia and scarcity are driving collectors to hunt for rare titles, with some willing to pay astonishing prices. A sealed copy of Back to the Future recently sold for $75,000, thanks to its original owner, actor Tom Wilson. Other films like The Goonies and Jaws have fetched tens of thousands at auction. Suddenly, those dusty tapes sitting in attics seem like hidden treasures.

Horror movie titles have been particularly popular on VHS lately. Cult classics like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre are highly sought after, as many were never re-released on other formats. Collectors scour thrift stores, estate sales, and online platforms, paying top dollar for rare finds. How long this resurgence will last is unknown, but it’s very interesting to watch the technologies of prior generations come back to life.^[4]

6 The Compact Disc’s Return to Prominence

When the compact disc debuted in 1982, it reimagined how we listened to music. Developed through a partnership between Philips in the Netherlands and Sony in Japan, the CD solved a major problem for audiophiles: sound quality. Unlike crackly vinyl or easily warped cassette tapes, CDs offered crystal-clear audio that didn’t degrade over time. Durable and portable, they quickly became the most popular choice for music fans, selling billions of units before streaming services took over. Although CDs faded with the rise of streaming platforms like Spotify, their sales have recently surged, fueled by Generation Z’s unique music-buying habits.

Young buyers want to physically own their music in a form they can see and touch. CDs make their music something personal and collectible. The album covers, liner notes, and satisfying snap of the case create a deeper connection to the artist that streaming services can’t replicate. Building a collection of CDs is a personal project, giving fans a sense of control and satisfaction over their music.

The music industry is embracing this emerging trend, with artists releasing limited editions and reissuing classic albums to meet demand. What seemed like a dying format has been given a second life by this fresh generation of music lovers.^[5]

5 Photographers Welcome Back Analog Photography

The first permanent photograph was created by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in 1826 using a process called heliography, requiring hours of exposure to sunlight. In 1839, Louis Daguerre introduced the daguerreotype, reducing exposure times and producing detailed, lasting images. For the next 150 years, analog photography reigned, but the rise of digital cameras in the late 20th century, with their speed and convenience, led to a steep decline in film use.

Now, Phoenix Film Revival is bringing analog photography back into focus. Located in Arizona, this community hub offers workshops, a communal darkroom, and hands-on classes for film enthusiasts. At the heart of it are Daniel and Stacy Iannaccone, a couple passionate about preserving the artistry of traditional photography. They’ve created a space for photographers to connect, learn, and embrace the deliberate, hands-on process that film photography demands.

The Iannaccones have big dreams for Phoenix Film Revival. They envision expanding into a multi-use space with a gallery, studio, and event area. Film photography is thriving because of the depth and warmth of analog film that digital photography can’t yet match.^[6]

4 The Present-Day Appeal of Mechanical Computer Keyboards

During the 1980s, IBM’s mechanical keyboards were coveted for their robust and durable design. The Model M featured a sturdy build and signature “buckling spring” keys, and it became a favorite among office workers. Typing on this behemoth of a keyboard was a unique tactile experience. The satisfying click and physical feedback made typing feel deliberate and extremely precise. These keyboards were so durable that they often outlasted the computers that they came with. For this reason, classic IBM computer keyboards are still in very high demand today.

In general, mechanical keyboards are making a well-deserved modern comeback. In part, this is in response to the low-quality keyboards that became commonplace due to cost-cutting by keyboard manufacturers. Typing on a mechanical keyboard is smoother and more accurate due to the tactile feedback from each key press. Unlike cheaper, flimsier budget keyboards, mechanical keyboards are built to handle their heavy use by professionals who stress-test their keyboards daily, writing emails, reports, and other lengthy documents.

A whole new industry has sprung up, manufacturing modern reinterpretations of classic mechanical keyboard designs. For example, a company named 8BitDo has released a modern remake of the IBM Model M mechanical keyboard, which was originally released in 1985.^[7]

3 The Eco-Friendly Encore of Vinyl Records

Vinyl records were invented in 1948 by Columbia Records, introducing a music industry metamorphosis. Vinyl records were a durable, high-quality format that replaced the fragile shellac discs common at the time. The material itself, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), was first developed in the early 20th century and became widely used in the 1920s. It was prized for its flexibility, durability, and resistance to heat, solving the issues of brittleness and warping that plagued earlier materials.

With PVC, records could withstand more wear and tear while offering longer playtimes and better sound quality, a breakthrough that made music accessible and enjoyable to more people. Like other items on this list, vinyl records seemed doomed by the rise of digital music. However, companies, inspired by the demand of new customers, are reintroducing vinyl records made from sustainably sourced materials.

The PVC used to make traditional vinyl records is under fire for its negative environmental impact. To tackle this, manufacturers are experimenting with new materials like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which will allow them to make records that are much greener. They’re even dusting off old injection molding techniques to boost manufacturing efficiency while reducing waste that often ends up in landfills.

But what about those heavy, 180-gram records everyone loves? They’ve been marketed as superior, but experts say the benefits are mostly in our heads. Heavier records use more material, and that’s raising eyebrows in a world trying to achieve long-term sustainability. Many in the industry now push for standard-weight records, balancing sound quality with eco-consciousness.

Companies are also turning to recycled materials for record sleeves and shrink wrap. Even scraps from production are finding new life. Some manufacturers, like Erika Records, recycle excess PVC into consumer-friendly picture discs.^[8]

2 The Timeless Allure of Retro Gaming

Modern gamers are becoming obsessed with retro gaming, so much so that the global gaming industry can’t ignore the trend. Older games have many advantages: they’re easier to understand and master in a world where everything feels overly complex. For example, the modern automobile is basically a high-powered computer on wheels. A growing number of people are nostalgic for a time when life, like games, was much simpler.

Classic consoles from the 1980s, like the NES, Sega Genesis, and Atari 2600, have returned with modern updates that blend nostalgia with today’s technology. Revamped versions, often featuring HDMI outputs and preloaded games, make it easier than ever to enjoy timeless games on modern screens. The release of the Atari 7800+ has taken this trend further, offering updated hardware while preserving the look and charm of the original. These systems are making retro gaming accessible to new audiences.

The retro gaming community plays a huge role in keeping the retro trend alive. Fans host tournaments, conventions, and online forums where they share tips and memories, creating a thriving retro gaming scene.^[9]

1 The Return of Mazda’s Rotary Engine

Mazda’s rotary engine is making a comeback, and fans of this quirky technology couldn’t be happier. The rotary engine, invented by Felix Wankel in the 1950s, solved a significant problem in traditional engine design: complexity. Unlike conventional piston engines with many moving parts, the rotary engine used a simple triangular rotor spinning inside an epitrochoidal (oval-like) chamber. This made it smaller, lighter, and smoother, ideal for performance-focused cars.

Mazda embraced and refined this technology in models like the RX-7 and RX-8, where it became a signature feature. After more than a decade on the sidelines, the rotary returned in 2023. This time, it’s playing a new role as a range extender for the electric MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV.

Mazda has reopened its Rotary Engine Development Department to explore innovative uses for this unique, not-commonly-used design. They’re working on integrating rotary engines into hybrid systems and experimenting with carbon-neutral fuels like hydrogen and synthetic alternatives.

Mazda has plans for new models of rotary engine-powered sports cars. For example, Mazda’s Iconic SP Concept showcases a two-rotor engine designed for alternative fuels. Mazda seems to be the only major car manufacturer focused on rotary engines, but they are highly committed to the technology.^[10]