In case you didn’t know, there weren’t any PCs in the 60s. People in offices then went about work with typewriters and pens and all sorts of archaic artifacts.
Despite this fact, it didn’t stop Jeffrey Stephenson from taking up the challenge of building a functional PC for the 60s. He even went so far as to ask, “What if IBM had invented the PC 20 years earlier?”
The Inspiration Behind the Retro PC
Having built PCs whose exteriors recall specific styles from modern design such as Art Deco or Machine Age, Stephenson found inspiration this time around from a pristine Danish antique desk he discovered on eBay. This desk, with its clean lines and elegant simplicity, epitomized the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic that was prevalent in the 1960s. The desk’s design elements, such as tapered legs and minimalist hardware, provided a perfect canvas for Stephenson’s creative vision.
Stephenson’s impetus for his latest and yet-unfinished project were the people at design hub Core77.com who initially prompted the designer/engineer to build something “Mid Century-Modern” in a May article. This challenge was not just about creating a functional PC but also about integrating it seamlessly into a piece of furniture that could have existed in the 1960s. The goal was to make the technology invisible, blending it into the aesthetic of the era.
The Design and Construction Process
Further stoking the inevitable buzz surrounding his activities, he has released a few pics of the almost-complete CPU. Judging by the pics below it looks quite promising. Those already impressed by Stephenson’s imagination rendered in furniture wait eagerly for his new project’s outcome.
The design process involved meticulous planning and attention to detail. Stephenson had to consider not only the visual aspects but also the functional requirements of a modern PC. This included ensuring adequate ventilation, access to ports, and the integration of modern components without compromising the vintage look. He used materials that were authentic to the period, such as wood veneers and brass fittings, to maintain the integrity of the design.
One of the most challenging aspects was hiding the modern technology within the antique framework. Stephenson cleverly disguised the power button and USB ports within the desk’s original hardware, making them virtually undetectable. The result is a seamless blend of old and new, where the PC components are hidden in plain sight.
The project also involved a fair amount of trial and error. Stephenson experimented with different configurations and layouts to achieve the perfect balance between form and function. He documented his progress meticulously, sharing updates and photos with his followers, who eagerly anticipated each new development.
The final product is not just a functional PC but a piece of art that pays homage to the design sensibilities of the 1960s. It serves as a reminder of how far technology has come and how it can be integrated into our lives in ways that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
via Gizmodo
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