[James Matthew Najera]

General Discussion Thread 11.16.2025​

Hey GrayViners!

Isn’t it funny how some things just stick with us, no matter how much the world changes? New gadgets come and go—sleeker, faster, smarter—but there’s always that one old thing that still feels just right. Maybe it’s a record player that still hums like it did 40 years ago, a rotary phone you can’t bear to toss, or that trusty typewriter that still sounds like a little orchestra every time you use it.

There’s something comforting about these pieces of the past. They remind us of when things were simpler—when a phone call meant sitting by the cord, when music came with a little crackle, and when you didn’t need a password for everything. It’s not just nostalgia, it’s connection—a thread to the days that shaped us.

So, let’s share some memories! What’s one piece of old “technology” you just can’t let go of?

Image credit: Unsplash/Muhammed ÖÇAL

Tell us the story behind it—how long you’ve had it, who gave it to you, what moment you remember every time you see it.

Maybe it’s something you still use every day, or maybe it’s tucked away in a drawer because it carries too much meaning to part with.

Whatever it is, we’d love to hear about it. These little treasures say a lot about the lives we’ve lived… and the memories we still carry.

Cheers!
Blue

 

[Marilea]

Because I am very hard of hearing, I have a caption, push-button phone.

 

[PhilBurns]

DVDs and DVD player. Sometimes a movie or series I want to watch are a pay to watch.

 

[Wiseoldone]

Cars I can work on without a computer 1950s1960s

 

[RoyzToyz]

I have the non-electric Royal typewriter that used to belong to my father, which is close to being 60 plus years old and I also have the Brother sewing machine that belonged to my mother which is close to being 50 years old.

 

[dkleslie52]

I have my mom's jello molds hanging on my wall over my cabinets.

 

[Arkie]

DVD and 8 track have many old good movies and watch them quite frequently. Ever hear of African Queen? Humphrey Bogart and Kathryn Hepburn

 

[Mary216]

We still have a wall phone which actually worked when we lost power.

 

[Hazeleyes]

I like my Walkman. My mom bought it for me back in the 1990’s . I listen to cassettes occasionally on it .

 

[TriciaR]

Because I am very hard of hearing, I have a caption, push-button phone.

Thanks so much for sharing that @Marilea ! A caption, push-button phone must make such a big difference day to day, especially when hearing can make regular phones tricky to use. Do you find it more reliable or easier than some of the newer smartphone options?

 

[TriciaR]

DVDs and DVD player. Sometimes a movie or series I want to watch are a pay to watch.

Thanks for sharing @PhilBurns ! DVDs really do come in handy, especially when the shows you want end up behind a paywall. Do you have a favorite movie or series that you still prefer watching on DVD?

 

[TriciaR]

Cars I can work on without a computer 1950s1960s

Thanks so much for sharing that @Wiseoldone ! There’s something really special about cars from the ’50s and ’60s — you can actually get your hands in there and fix things yourself without needing a computer to tell you what’s wrong. Do you have a favorite model from that era, or one you’ve enjoyed working on the most?

 

[TriciaR]

I have the non-electric Royal typewriter that used to belong to my father, which is close to being 60 plus years old and I also have the Brother sewing machine that belonged to my mother which is close to being 50 years old.

Thanks so much for sharing that @RoyzToyz — what beautiful pieces of family history you have! A Royal typewriter and a Brother sewing machine, both passed down from your parents, must hold so many memories. Do you still use either of them from time to time, or do you mainly keep them as treasured keepsakes?

 

[TriciaR]

I have my mom's jello molds hanging on my wall over my cabinets.

Thanks for sharing @dkleslie52 ! Your mom’s jello molds sound like such a lovely touch — a bit of nostalgia and charm right there in your kitchen. Do you still use any of them, or are they more of a special display piece to remind you of her?

 

[TriciaR]

DVD and 8 track have many old good movies and watch them quite frequently. Ever hear of African Queen? Humphrey Bogart and Kathryn Hepburn

Thanks so much for sharing that @Arkie ! DVDs and even 8-tracks — that’s fantastic. There really are some gems you just can’t replace. And yes, The African Queen is a classic! Bogart and Katharine Hepburn were incredible together. Do you have a favorite scene from the film, or any other old favorites you watch often?

 

[TriciaR]

We still have a wall phone which actually worked when we lost power.

Thanks for sharing @Mary216 ! A wall phone that still works during a power outage is such a lifesaver — you can’t beat that kind of reliability. Do you still use it often, or is it more of a “just in case” backup these days?

 

[RoyzToyz]

Thanks so much for sharing that @RoyzToyz — what beautiful pieces of family history you have! A Royal typewriter and a Brother sewing machine, both passed down from your parents, must hold so many memories. Do you still use either of them from time to time, or do you mainly keep them as treasured keepsakes?

No, I have not used the Royal typewriter for many years, I have it stored away. The Brother sewing machine is tucked away inside the wood cabinet it fits into. It is like having an extra piece of furniture.

 

[TriciaR]

I like my Walkman. My mom bought it for me back in the 1990’s . I listen to cassettes occasionally on it .

Thanks so much for sharing that @Hazeleyes ! A Walkman from the ’90s is such a special keepsake, especially since it was a gift from your mom. There’s something cozy about popping in a cassette and listening the old-school way. Do you have a favorite tape you still play on it?

 

[Nancy L]

Mine is definitely my record player Music sounds souch better on vinyl