A toaster from 1949 is still smarter than any sold today
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Re: A toaster from 1949 is still smarter than any sold today
#2It's remarkably difficult to find something as automated at it.
This should be super cheap and ubiquitous tech but apparently it isn't. Most of the other stuff uses electronics and does more but is actually dumber as an overall device.
For example many can set a target duration or target temperature but because they don't take into account the bread temperature they don't defrost as well.
Re: A toaster from 1949 is still smarter than any sold today
#3His whole channel (called Technology Connections) is probably my favorite one on YouTube, can’t recommend it enough! My favorites are his series on refrigeration and heat pumps, for example this one:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=7J52mDjZzto
Edit: to clarify, this article is based on an old Technology Connections video, and the creator of that video has lots more!
Re: A toaster from 1949 is still smarter than any sold today
#4Blogspam for a 2019 YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OfxlSG6q5Y
Re: A toaster from 1949 is still smarter than any sold today
#5Does it do crumpets?!
Re: A toaster from 1949 is still smarter than any sold today
#6Re-making these toasters is probably a great idea for a kickstarter.
Re: A toaster from 1949 is still smarter than any sold today
#7There is definitely a market for the resurgence of some of high quality old-timey products, especially those with some novelty.
Sunbeam should literally do a Kickstarter to get the marketing going.
Re: A toaster from 1949 is still smarter than any sold today
#8Re-making these toasters is probably a great idea for a kickstarter.
But maybe redesign it so the coils can’t be live even when it is off. Because you can’t stop humans from using forks.
I grew up with one of these and was going to get an old one and refurbish it, but I live with too many hairless apes that would stick a fork or knife in to retrieve their undersized bread. Maybe if I put on a polarized plug, and check all the outlets in the kitchen to make sure they are wired correctly…
Re: A toaster from 1949 is still smarter than any sold today
#9His whole channel (called Technology Connections) is probably my favorite one on YouTube, can’t recommend it enough! My favorites are his series on refrigeration and heat pumps, for example this one: https://youtube.com/watch?v=7J52mDjZzto Edit: to clarify, this article is based on an old Technology Connections video, and the creator of that video has lots more!
Technology Connections is hands down one of my favorite Youtube channels.
Another guy worth mentioning that tickles the brain cells in a similar way is Isaac Arthur: a guy that breaks down science fiction into science fact, and explores what we could actually do someday in the future, and pokes fun at the stuff that will probably never happen but has become familiar tropes anyways.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZFipeZtQM5CKUjx6grh54g
If you want another down to earth (ahem) channel that also explores tech, there's Tech Ingredients who has done crazy things like build the ultimate (and certainly weirdest) speakers, his own epoxy, his own thermal paste, his own whiskey with his own still, his own compressorless fridge and AC, his own rocket motors....
Re: A toaster from 1949 is still smarter than any sold today
#10Re-making these toasters is probably a great idea for a kickstarter.
But maybe redesign it so the coils can’t be live even when it is off. Because you can’t stop humans from using forks. I grew up with one of these and was going to get an old one and refurbish it, but I live with too many hairless apes that would stick a fork or knife in to retrieve their undersized bread. Maybe if I put on a polarized plug, and check all the outlets in the kitchen to make sure they are wired correctl…
Of course.
The original sunbeam probably could not have been even made or sold today due to safety standards.