The Worst Episodes of Retro Tech

I'm taking a look at the tech predictions of the past that we thought would be our future – and in particular robots. I cast an eye back to the toy robots of the 60s, 70s, and 80s and some of the movies that spawned them. And along the way I talk to UrAvgConsumer and Chris Gethard.

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How did we all get so hyperconnected? I’m taking a look at where it all started – the simple phone – and how things developed. How we went from answering machines to AOL messenger to Facetime. But I’m also taking a look at where it’s all going; and I’m looking at tech that will one day allow us to communicate telepathically.

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In this episode I’m looking at smart home technology. From remote controls to the Clapper, we’ll find out where it began and where it’s headed. I’m also joined by none other than Bill Gates about how climate change and optimizing energy usage play a part in revolutionizing our homes.

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The first ever cellular phone was the Motorola DynaTAC 8000x. It cost $10,295 in today’s dollars and had to charge for 10 hours just to make a 30 minute call. Without the DynaTAC, would we all have cellphones today? Marques dives into the history and impact of this piece of iconic tech and explores how its release led to our current cell phone obsessed culture. YouTube creators Austin Evans and Sara Dietschy join him to test out some other pieces of retro tech, like a pager and a lipstick cellphone.

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In 1988, Sega took Nintendo by storm and released the Sega Genesis. The conflict between the two companies created a video game console war for the ages. Marques learns about the cultural impact the Genesis had from comedian Hannibal Burress and play Mortal Combat for the first time against Mari Takahashi from Smosh Games. Fellow YouTube creator Jake Baldino from Gameranx teams up with him to test some questionable Sega Genesis gaming accessories.

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The JVC GR-C1 Camcorder was the first all-in-one handheld video camera. Marques traces the history of homemade videos back to the release of this iconic piece of tech and shows how its popularity led to the videos we watch on YouTube today. Fellow YouTube creator Casey Neistat shows him how to film and edit videos on this piece of retro tech. Spoiler alert: It’s not easy.

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Everyone knows the 1984 Macintosh computer was a game changer for the tech industry. But why was this particular computer so iconic? Marques learns how Steve Jobs and his team took on computer giants IBM, changing personal computing forever. Living legend Bill Nye the Science Guy joins him to play Asteroids on an original Macintosh. And fellow YouTube creator and Apple expert iJustine explains why the 1984 Macintosh was able to beat its competitors.

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When the Sony Walkman hit the market in the 1970s, it was the first time we were able to take our music with us on-the-go. Marques explores this iconic piece of tech—from the inspiration behind its compact design to how it changed portable audio forever. He also enlist the help of fellow YouTube creator Judner A.K.A. Uravgconsumer to fix a busted Walkman. The Gregory Brothers join me to test out whether a vintage Walkman is durable enough to survive a game of ultimate frisbee.

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Way before cell phone cameras, we took selfies with Polaroids. Marques explores how the first Polaroid camera, the Polaroid SX-70, turned us all into amateur photographers and paved the way for our social media-obsessed culture. Fellow YouTube creator and model Karlie Kloss teams up with him to make photo filters the retro way — with bleach. And Peter McKinnon stops by to play “Dope or Nope.”

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No matter what year, the idea of flying vehicles helps cement our sense of when the future begins. I’m taking a look at everything flying – from cars to skateboards – and seeing where the tech currently stands. I also look at some classic old toys with comedian Michael Ian Black.

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For decades people have dreamed of a technology that would allow them to instantly be somewhere else. I’m taking a deep dive into teleportation tech and the next best thing – virtual reality with Jake Baldino and Neil DeGrasse Tyson.

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