Retro Thing

K-9 "Rejoins" The Cast of Doctor Who

K-9 was a chirpy little robotic dog (voiced by John Leeson) that joined the cast of Doctor Who in 1977. He's been through three iterations and it (he?) has returned in 2006 to join the tenth Doctor on his travels. Let's hope he doesn't try to hump Rose's Martha's whoever's leg.

"The initial idea for realising K-9 was to use a small actor inside a robotic Dobermann costume, but that was rejected in favour of a radio-controlled prop, designed by Tony Harding and made by the BBC Visual Effects Department. The robot suffered from numerous technical problems during its time in the series, often malfunctioning because the radio controls interfered with the cameras and vice versa. On location, K-9 also proved unable to traverse uneven terrain, and shots had to be conceived with this in mind. Workarounds included using a concealed piece of twine to pull the character along, or laying wooden planks on which it could roll." (from Wikipedia)

K-9 Makes a Comeback (Gizmodo)

Sunday is Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day

Pinhole cameras use a tiny hole instead of a lens to cast a dreamy and often unpredictable image on film. And this Sunday, April 30th, is Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day:

"Pinhole photography allows you to make a photograph that requires only a light-tight container (box, can,...) with a tiny hole in one side (as a camera) and any photo-sensitive surface in it. You can adapt an existing camera, or make the camera yourself . The experience of image-making becomes a little more special when created with your own hand-made camera"

Visit the WPPD site for instructions on building your very own pinhole camera from an oatmeal box, tin can, or 126 cartridge film. Retro Thing has covered pinhole cameras before, including a paper DIY design and a nifty Polaroid instant camera. The dreamy image above was captured with a Merlin paintcan camera, available for as little as $9.

| via Ektopia |

Smart Car Poised For USA Release

[Update: The Smart will be available throughout the USA in early 2008, starting at a mere $11,590. Roger Penske's United Auto Group will incubate 30 to 50 dealerships in metro areas. Be sure to read our followup commentary "Why the Smart car's arrival in the USA is a good thing."]

The time has come for DaimlerChrysler to release their tiny Smart Car in the United States. The diminutive 2-seater is prominently featured in several heart-pounding chase sequences in the Da Vinci Code, which hits theaters nationwide on May 19th. It would be foolish for DaimlerChrysler not to take full advantage of such a high-profile placement, so expect a breathless product announcement sometime this month. [update: the announcement came in late June].

Incidentally, the Smart is by no means the first economical 2-seater to make its way to these shores: Vehicles like the BMW Isetta offered 60 mpg in the late 1950s.

The Smart is only 2.5 meters long and features an exceptionally fuel-efficient 1 L rear-mounted gasoline engine and an easy-to-learn 5-speed automated manual transmission (which basically means that it has no clutch - you push the gearshift to change gears. I found the process surprisingly intuitive, and it'll shift automatically if you forget). Surprisingly, the interior is quite spacious and crash tests indicate that the vehicle's Tridion Safety Cell offers respectable passenger protection in severe accidents. The Smart's replaceable body panels are made of scratch-resistant polycarbonate plastic, and the vehicle is available with an optional full-length glass roof or convertible top. Prices start at $11,590 (not including freight, PDI and paper pushing fees) -- half the price of a more complicated hybrid.

DaimlerChrysler had been quietly searching for a company willing to buy the struggling Smart brand. However, it appears that rising oil prices and a refocused product strategy have changed their minds. The company discontinued its less popular Roadster and Coupe lineup and plans to phase out the more traditional Mitsubishi-based forfour 4-seater by 2010. This seems to be an acknowledgment that their popular fortwo is the heart and soul of the Smart division. $1.2 billion will be invested in the brand, kicking off with the release of an updated model in 2008. The most noticeable changes are a slightly more traditional dashboard and a more powerful 3-cylinder gasoline engine that replaces the 799cc diesel powerplant in the USA (it's a pity that Smart didn't stick with the more fuel efficient diesel for the US release. I suspect they had difficulties meeting California's stringent emissions standards).

The radically-styled Smart is manufactured in Hambach, France, and has been on the market in Europe since 1998. The vehicle has been available in Canada for about a year - a perfect harsh climate test. In Canada, the brand is sold through Mercedes dealerships -- a strategy that also makes sense in the United States, since the company doesn't have to focus on a building a new distribution and service network.

Visit the official Smart USA site

PinRescue - Restored Mechanical Pinball Machines

PinRescue restores and sells pre-1978 electro-mechanical pinball machines. Owners Russ and Stacey Snyder have been in the business for decades. They opened a store in Lambertville, New Jersey in 2001 and everyone is welcome to try the machines free of charge. You won't find any whizz-bang digital scoring or synthesized sound effects here --  just good old solenoids, rotary scoring, and bumpers galore. It seems that the average price for a restored unit is around $2000.

Designs became increasingly complicated as pinball was forced to compete with video games.  There also seemed to be rampant scoring inflation. Some classic machines from the 1960s could only count to 999. By the 1990s, score counters frequently reached into the millions.
Perhaps all this is why I'm drawn to older mechanicals -- game play was simple, and there is something almost hypnotic about the sound the score counters make during a reset -- chunka-chunka-chunk chunka-chunka-chunk CLUNK.

Pinball Rescue Restoration and Repairs

Full Length Movies On Super 8mm Film!

Derann Film Services in the UK is the world's largest distributor of Super 8 mm films. They got their start in 1964, with the release of Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. The company branched out into Beta, VHS and V2000 in the late 1970s, but never forgot their film roots. These days, they'll happily sell you a state of the art LCD projection system, too.

Most Super 8 feature films come on four or five 400 foot (120 m) reels. Costs vary considerably, depending on the age and popularity of the film. Expect to pay about £350 for a film like Terminator or North By Northwest. You can pick up used films, cartoons, news reels and shorts for significantly less. Collecting Super 8 movies definitely isn't a cheap hobby, but nothing beats having a real film-based movie theater at home.

Super 8mm Movies from Derann Film Services

Fujifilm To Discontinue Single-8 Movie Film in 2007

Giles Perkins drops by with some sad news on the film front:

In the forty year VHS vs. Betamax-like battle of Super 8 vs. Single-8, it seems that Fuji have thrown the towel with their announcement that they are ceasing production and sales of their arguably superior 8mm format. Released in competition to Kodak's Super 8 format, the Fuji Single 8 format features a simpler cartridge design as well as a clever in built camera pressure plate design to ensure perfect film registration. Just like Betamax before it, Single 8 may ultimately be resigned to the "where are they now file", but hope springs eternal and the recently released Cinevia Single-8 stock may just give the little film a last gasp. Single 8 we salute you!

[James' comments: Fuji's Single-8 cartridge film was introduced in 1965. It was designed to compete with Kodak's famed Super 8 format, but didn't enjoy much success outside Japan. Sales dwindled to an estimated 14,000 cartridges last year. Fujichrome R25N and RT200N color stocks will be available until March 2007, and processing will be discontinued in September 2008. The only other source for Single-8 film is Retro Technologies in Tokyo. They offer Fuji's Velvia 50D color slide film for motion picture use, along with their B&W Retro-X emulsion. Sadly, Velvia 50D was recently discontinued as well, so supplies may be limited.]

Fuji gives notice on Single-8 (onSuper8.org)

Gold Plated James Bond Aston Martins

How could any self-respecting retrogeek resist a set of two die-cast James Bond Aston Martin model cars, plated in 24 karat gold? "Set includes the speedy Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger and the sleek V12 Vanquish from Die Another Day. Detailed die-cast metal plated in 24k gold. 1:36 scale. 5"x1¼". Limited edition of 5000 pieces." Sixty bucks for the set.

40th Anniversary DB5 Models

Twike Human-Electric Hybrid Vehicle: 550 mpg

This German 'Human-Electric Hybrid' sounds like some sort of cyborg transportation device. In reality, the name refers to a $15,000 electrically powered trike that includes pedals to add some optional person power to the motor. Its phenomenally low energy consumption is equivalent to getting about 550 miles per gallon of gasoline.

The Twike's digital power electronics give you a range of about 55 miles (80 km) on a single charge. The NiCd battery pack can be quickly recharged, offering a range of up to 110 miles per day. The vehicle's maximum speed is an impressive 55 mph (100 kph). You don't have to do away with creature comforts, either. The Twike offers cozy side-by-side seating and a jet fighter styled cockpit to keep you out of the elements.

There are quite a few Twikes cruising around Europe, and they're also imported into the United States. A notice on their website indicates that they're chasing Canadian certification as well. If the Twike appeals, be sure to check out the similarly styled (but smaller) Aerorider.

Twike Human-Electric Hybrid Vehicles (FINE Mobile GmbH)

Digitize 8mm Movies With The FlashScan8

The FlashScan8 is a digital film scanner capable of capturing Super 8 and Standard 8mm film in real time -- up to 25 frames per second. It uses three frame CCD image sensors to record the image and features an LED light array light source that provides uniform brightness across each frame.

The system can handle reversal (projection) films as well as modern motion picture negatives. It's possible to perform color correction without external hardware, and there's an integrated sound head to transfer synchronized sound tracks. To make things more attractive, the FlashScan is modular, allowing you to add a remote controller. It can even be rack-mounted to save space.

The price? Around 30,000 euros, which puts it within reach of professional film conversion houses. If you're on a more limited budget (aren't we all, these days?), check out the $1395 Moviestuff WorkPrinter XP.

FlashScan8 Digital Film Scanner

Create Your Own Solar Water Heater

Here's a link to a really basic solar water heater. It's simply a 2 x 2 foot frame with a couple of black pond liners to absorb heat. Water flows through the system to/from a bucket, and it's capable of heating water to about 100F (37C). This is a great way to demonstrate solar water heating to kids and inquisitive adults. Once you've tried this little toy, you'll be itching to install a real solar water heating system and heat exchanger in your house/tent/flat/apartment/caravan.

DIY Solar Thermal Panel (via The Red Ferret Journal)

The World's Smallest Production Tube Guitar Amp

If you've ever found yourself lusting for a tiny tube guitar amp, look no further. Z.Vex offers the quirky 1/2 Watt Nano Head. It's perfect for practicing and, believe it or not, recording. If you've ever tried to mic your favorite amp to get good tone, you'll know that you often have to crank the volume sky-high. That can make it difficult to mike effectively, since many mics just don't like being subjected to a jet-engine roar at 130+ dB.

Because the Nano Head is so small, its sweet spot is at least 20 dB quieter than a traditional 50 Watt amp head. That makes the levels easier to handle, and you're less likely to get death threats from your neighbors. Each Nano Head features a hand-painted case and likes to be kept in a warm place (the amp circuit has problems starting up below about 65 degrees F). Z.Vex also makes a crushingly weird selection of hand-painted effects pedals and a brilliant little stereo tube amp, too.

Z.Vex Nano Head tube guitar amplifier

I Am 8-Bit: Art Inspired By Classic Videogames

I'm not sure how to introduce I am 8-bit. It's an annual art show that features reinterpretations of 1980s arcade imagery (their current show runs until May 19, 2006 at Gallery Nineteen Eighty Eight in L.A.). I am 8-bit also exists as a brilliant retro artsy website and has metamorphosed into a brand new 156-page color book from Chronicle Books:

"Pac-Man. Frogger. Super Mario Bros. These classic videogames are burned into the collective consciousness of an entire generation, thanks to countless hours spent at pizza parlors and bowling alleys across the country. Now artists such as Gary Baseman, Tim Biskup, and Ashley Wood put their memories to paper, canvas, and wood to create original works of art inspired by the art of the videogame. ... With more than 100 thought-provoking, amusing, and simply fun pieces of original art, i am 8-bit is a pixilated stroll down memory lane."

More about I am 8-bit (the book)
More about I am 8-bit (the art collective/website)

Frogger and Space Invaders Tabletop Games For $25

I fondly remember Coleco's line of miniature arcade machines from the 1980s (profiled right here by Bohus a few weeks ago). It looks like someone is at it once again, although not with the same flair and build quality. The new Frogger and Space Invaders offer color LCD figures instead of the beautiful (and expensive) VFD displays of earlier tabletops. That said, these look like an entertaining way to spend $25.

Frogger and Space Invaders tabletop arcade units (at perpetualkid.com)

Build Your Own Solar Electricity System For $600

So you want to try out solar electricity, but you don't want to spend $30,000 to retrofit the entire house. Why not start with a single room instead? Rex Ewing has written an interesting piece that details how you can assemble a complete solar electric system for not very much money. Because it includes a single 32 Watt PV module, the basic system can only generate about 1 kWh of electricity a week.

"Fifteen minutes of surfing on the Internet turned up the following items. I’m sure a more thorough search would produce even more favorable results:

One Uni-Solar 32-watt amorphous-silicon PV module, 12 volts: $180.00

One Morningstar 6-amp charge controller, 12 volts: $40.00

Two Deka 92 amp-hour sealed batteries, 12 volts: ($130.00 each) $260.00

One Aims 800-watt modified sine wave inverter, 12 volts: $65.00

TOTAL: $545.00

This leaves you with $55 for wire, battery cables, mounting hardware, fuses between components, and the miscellaneous odds and ends that are always needed for any project of moderate complexity."

1kWh (1000 Watt/hours) per week isn't much, but it's enough to run a small TV for 20 hours or power a laptop for 40 hours. With some careful planning you could probably take an entire bedroom or part-time home office off-grid. The system can be expanded with up to two more PV panels and additional batteries, although you'll probably need to replace the inexpensive 800W AC-DC power inverter with something beefier.

By the way, if you're looking for an affordable device that can measure the amount of power your various gadgets and gizmos gobble, check out the UPM Energy Meter we profiled a few month ago.

$600 gets your house on solar power... kinda (via Treehugger)

Palm Pilot Notebook - Handwriting Recognition Not Included

Man, the things people dream up. You're looking at a couple of spiral notebooks with pictures of electronic doodads on the front cover. They cost $4.95 each (including a 10 cent pencil), so you'd be much better off dropping by a bargain store to pick up 10 or so no-name notebooks and a Bic pen instead. Well, at least they don't need batteries.

Paper Palm Pilot & Cell Phone (via productdose)