Gallery: Charming Photos of Iconic Tech Relics, From Brick Phones to Zip Drives

  • Image may contain Cooktop Indoors Electronics and Reel
    Photo: Jim Golden
    01

    Relics-of-Technology-Reel-to-Reel-copy1

    Reel-to-reel (aka open-reel). Mfg: RCA, 1949.
  • Image may contain Disk
    Photo: Jim Golden
    02

    Relics-of-Technology-8-inch-Floppy-copy1

    Type 1 Diskette (aka 8" diskette, floppy disc). Mfg: IBM, 1971-1981.
  • Image may contain Box Furniture and Safe
    Photo: Jim Golden
    03

    Relics-of-Technology-35mm-Slide-Caddy-edit

    35mm Photo Slides. Mfg: Kodak, 1934-present.
  • Image may contain Cassette
    Photo: Jim Golden
    04

    Relics-of-Technology-Betamax-edit

    Betamax Tape (aka Beta). Mfg: Sony, 1975-2002.
  • Image may contain Electronics Computer Computer Hardware Hardware Disk Box and Hard Disk
    Photo: Jim Golden
    05

    Relics-of-Technology-Jaz-Disk-edit

    Jaz Disk. MFG: Iomega, 1995-2002.
  • Image may contain Electronics and Phone
    Photo: Jim Golden
    06

    Relics-of-Technology-DynaTAC

    DynaTAC cellular phone (aka brick phone). Mfg: Motorola, 1984-1996.
  • Image may contain Word Label Text and Page
    Photo: Jim Golden
    07

    Relics-of-Technology-Punched-Cards-edit

    Punched Card (aka punch card, IBM card, or Hollerith card). Mfg: IBM, 1752-present.
  • Image may contain Text and Box
    Photo: Jim Golden
    08

    Relics-of-Technology-Zip-Discs-edit

    Zip Disc. Mfg: Iomega, 1994-present.
  • Image may contain Electronics
    Photo: Jim Golden
    09

    Relics-of-Technology-Atari-Joystick-edit

    Atari 2600 Joystick. Mfg: Atari, 1977-1992.
  • Image may contain Building and Box
    Photo: Jim Golden
    10

    Relics-of-Technology-Floppy-edit

    3 1/2" Microfloppy (aka floppy, floppy disk, diskette). Mfg: Sony, 1982-present.
  • ROM Cartridge . First mfg Fairchild Channel F 19762003.
    Photo: Jim Golden
    11

    Relics-of-Technology-ROM-edit

    ROM Cartridge (aka Cart). First mfg: Fairchild Channel F, 1976-2003.
  • Image may contain Electronics and Computer
    Photo: Jim Golden
    12

    Relics-of-Technology-SyQuest-edit

    SyQuest Disk. Mfg: SyQuest, 1995-1998.
  • Image may contain Electronics Phone Dial Telephone Jewelry Accessories Ring and Accessory
    Photo: Jim Golden
    13

    Relics-of-Technology-Rotary-Phone

    Rotary Dial Phone. Patent: Almon Brown Strowger, 1892-1980s.
  • Image may contain Electronics
    Photo: Jim Golden
    14

    Relics-of-Technology-Floppy-Disc-edit

    5 1/4" diskette (aka floppy disk). First mfg: Shugart Assoc., 1976-present.
  • Image may contain Logo Symbol and Trademark
    Photo: Jim Golden
    15

    Relics-of-Technology-Microcassette-edit

    Microcassette. Mfg: Olympus, 1969-present.
  • Image may contain Projector
    Photo: Jim Golden
    16

    Relics-of-Technology-Super-8-Projector

    Super 8mm Film. Mfg: Kodak, 1965-present.
Read More
What’s Worse Than Romance Scams? Adoption Scams
This week in WIRED Book Club, we recap the final chapters of The Yahoo Boys.
Kate Knibbs
Beatbot’s New Pool Robot Cleans Itself (Mostly)
The AquaSense X brings self-cleaning technology to pool robots for the first time, but is it worth nearly twice the price of Beatbot’s flagship cleaner?
Christopher Null
Skylight’s Touchscreen Calendar Got my Whole Family on the Same Page
The Skylight has become the informational and organizational hub of my household. My touchscreen-native kids have also gained more agency over our family activities.
Jaclyn Greenberg
The Samsung Micro RGB R95H Is a Good, Not Great TV
There’s a new fleet of TVs using new mini and micro RBG display tech, and Samsung’s R95H model isn’t as impressive as it should be.
John Brandon
AI Found a Root Bug in Linux That Everyone Missed for 15 Years
Plus: The Pentagon is training amateurs to become part of its hacker army, a Flock license plate reader error led to cops surrounding a car reviewer, and more.
Dell Cameron
We Make Lovely Home-Cooked Meals for Ourselves. Why Not Do the Same for Our Dogs?
More dog owners have begun cooking for their canine companions in recent years. When my own dog fell ill, I became part of this growing group.
Alicia Kennedy
The Best Hiking Boots and Shoes for Any Adventure
From strenuous hikes and serious summits to weekend rambles in the park, these boots help you make the most of your time outdoors.
Chris Haslam
China’s Tianwen-2 Space Probe Has Rendezvoused With Earth’s Quasi-Moon
The probe sent back the first pictures of the asteroid Kamo’oalewa. Next step: landing on the surface and collecting samples to send back to Earth.
Ritsuko Kawai
El Niño Is Already Wreaking Havoc on Pacific Fisheries
As the climate phenomenon sends warm water surging across the eastern Pacific, some parts of the fishing industry are suffering—but other regions are seeing a windfall.
Joseph Winters
Exclusive: How Jay-Z Pulled Off a Surprise-Filled Show During New York’s Wildest Summer
Summer 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Jay-Z’s debut Reasonable Doubt. To honor it, he put on a massive concert at Yankee Stadium—complete with performances from Beyoncé, Nas, and Alicia Keys.
Angela Watercutter
OpenAI’s Head of Safety Is Leaving the Company
Johannes Heidecke’s departure comes as OpenAI tries to further integrate its research and safety teams.
Maxwell Zeff
Microsoft Reports a Massive 25 Percent Jump in Emissions
Data centers are driving up the company’s use of electricity—and carbon pollution.
Molly Taft