You think you're a gadget freak? (3)

A long time ago, there was a machine called a "mimeograph duplicator"; it worked by copying a typed stencil onto sheets of paper, by means of a rotating drum -much like a printing press. 

For many years they were used everywhere, and even tests in some schools were printed using these machines -in a peculiar purple ink. But photocopiers quickly took the market over in the 1970's, and they are now just a memory.

"Duplicator", 1937
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Cooking with gas

A disruptive technology is an invention that turns the accepted standards into obsolescent memories. Usually in a very short time.

In the example at hand, we're talking about kerosene.

This ad sells conversion kits for stoves, and the premise is the same as today -better, hotter, more even cooking and "even a child can do it". Kerosene gas is the way of the future.

Hard to resist the line that says "No wood to chop or carry" - for a household in the 1920's, this kit must have been a revelation in simplicity.

"Burn gas", 1924
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Enjoy music outdoors

Portable technology is nothing to rave about now, but in the early 20th Century it was cutting edge and big money.

You think iPod is cool music on the go? Wait until you meet the "Ozarka" from 1924- with a name that brings up images of summer days on a fishing trip in the back of beyond, this amazing portable radio set weighs only.... 10 pounds. 

Yes sire, 5 kilograms only. As batteries at that time were lead-acid (like car batteries) this is probably where the weight problem was. So if you wanted music on the go in 1924, you had to go to the gym first.

"Enjoy radio on vacation", 1924
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You think you're a gadget freak? (part 2)

This is one of the oldest personal computer advertisements I have found so far;

"Minivac", 1961
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It was offered as an educational tool, for learning the principles of binary logic; just like in the big computers. And it was designed by *the* Claude Shannon to boot. 

If you're a geek, you know you want one of these.