Behind The Scenes At Retro Thing

Retro thing is an independent vintage gadget website run by a team of renegade elves based in Calgary and Chicago. Each month we present a never-ending stream of classic and almost-classic gizmos and books. OK, so I made up the bit about the team of elves. Everything else is true, though.

The Ridiculously Incomplete Retro Thing FAQ

1. Who are you guys?

The site was founded by vintage technology addict James Grahame. Bohus Blahut (BOH-hoosh BLAH-hoot) joined the editorial team in early 2006. 

2. Is Retro Thing owned by an evil media corporation?

Nope. We're independent bloggers who struggle to amuse our readers on a daily basis. We all share a love of technology and do the best to share links when we can.

3. Where do you get the ideas for the stories you post?

Sometimes readers send in incredibly neat links and hints, but mostly they're things we've owned, played with, or found on the web at three in the morning. Being addicted to retro electronics helps, too.

4. Do you own most of this stuff?

More than we'd admit. I (James) own a few of the things mentioned (Super 8 cameras, Pocket Computers, VCRs, PDAs, vintage computers and gaming systems) but many of the items I mention are things I've only played with for a few moments.

5. Can you help me find [fill in the blank] that was mentioned on your site last month?

Uhh... No. We try to post links when we can, but because some of this stuff hasn't been made for decades it can be fairly tough to track down. Try eBay, Craigslist, flea markets, swap meets, garage sales, auctions, and so on. You never know what you're going to find.

6. Are you looking for guest authors?

Sure, the more the merrier. If you have great story ideas and can string a semi-coherent paragraph together, we'd love to hear from you.

7. My company sells something your readers would love. Can we advertise on your site?

Of course! Retro Thing served over 3 million pages of content in 2008, offering unbeatable exposure to vintage technology enthusiasts. PC World even featured us as one of the "100 Blogs We Love." We offer inexpensive text ad packages that start at only $100, or contact us if you'd like more information about running graphic banners.

We can geo-target your campaign and provide real-time performance tracking.