Five Simple Gadgets: Low Tech in High Tech Times
by Natania Barron
on January 22, 2010
I remember having a conversation with my dad in the late 80s, just as cordless phones became all the rage. You know the ones I'm talking about: those brick phones with telescoping antennae and batteries that never lasted long and were insanely expensive to replace. That day, dad was waxing poetic about what he imagined technology would be like in the future. Having grown up in the 50s and 60s, steeped in early sci-fi culture, he had only dreamed that such things as cordless phones would exist. I countered, imagining that we'd have… video phones by the time I was an adult! How far we've come.
But I find, in this day of smart phones and slate computers, that it's easy to forget that there are gadgets out there that, by virtue of their simplicity and ingenuity, have stood up to decades and, in some cases, centuries of use. So, for a look at simple tech, I've put together a list of some of the gadgets that, in spite of advances in technology, have yet to be outdone.
But I find, in this day of smart phones and slate computers, that it's easy to forget that there are gadgets out there that, by virtue of their simplicity and ingenuity, have stood up to decades and, in some cases, centuries of use. So, for a look at simple tech, I've put together a list of some of the gadgets that, in spite of advances in technology, have yet to be outdone.
- The French Press (at right) - If you follow me on Twitter, you may notice I have an affinity for coffee. Every morning is a ritual for me. And if I'm not pulling shots of espresso, I'm making a French Press. Having been lucky enough to visit Scotland in 2000, I came back with an obsession when it comes to coffee made with this method. The French Press dates back to the mid-19th century but wasn't patented until 1929, by an Italian designer. Unlike brewed coffee, the cafe press works by virtue of lower-temperature brewing, since you add just-boiled water (i.e. around 209-210). The resulting beverage is both bold and lower in acid, not to mention infused with antioxidants (which many commercial filters strain out). Super bonus? Since you can also brew tea with a French Press, it's a total multitasker. Personally, I know of no better cup of coffee! Our household press is the Bodum Chambord, but there are a variety of other versions including the Frieling Stainless Steel Press and the Bonjur Hugo Unbreakable Press.
- The Good Pen - While it may be difficult for some of the gadget-heads among us, there are those of us in the world who still love a good pen. Conversely, there is nothing so bad as an awful pen. While I don't write by hand as much as I used to, my favorite pen I ever had was a Cross pen I received as a Christmas present when I was still in high school. Sure, some are proponents of the more refined ink varieties—some which can set you back a few hundred dollars—but the Cross versions are my personal favorites. Since pen selection is extremely subjective, I recommend you try a wide variety of pens and see what works best for you; slender or chunky, ball point or fountain, gel or felt-tipped. Some pens to try include the Lamy Safari Fountain Pen and the truly luxury priced MontBlanc Classic Ballpoint.
- The Leatherman. There can never be an app for this. Simply put, the Leatherman is the king of multitaskers, and really, the best bang for your buck when it comes to all the remarkable stuff it can do. Sure, there are Swiss Army knives, too, but in my experience nothing's got the job done so well as the Leatherman. The company really is a labor of love, started in the early 80s by Tim Leathermen. (And no, it's not a pocket knife—it's a Pocket Survival Tool™, or PST). The Super Tool 300 (at right) has a staggering 19 tools in one, and never needs to plug in to charge. For the truly elite, and those who can afford to drop that sort of money, Leatherman has also released a gorgeous collection called Argentum, with prices ranging from $240 to $40,000.
- The Moleskine. Sure, sure, I know what you're saying. A notebook is not a gadget. However, no other notebook (and I don't mean computer notebook) has ever inspired so many gadget-like uses as the Moleskine. Be it art or organization, something about the Moleskine just inspires creativity. Personally, I think it’s related to its size, which is certainly similar to other pocket-organizers on the market today, albeit much lower tech. For portable note-taking, nothing beats the Moleskine, either: remarkably durable, far more affordable than a netbook, and extremely sleek, this is one of my favorite examples of simple tech.
- The Watch. I don’t know if it’s because I grew up in the 80s, but I have an absolute knee-jerk hatred for digital-faced watches. I mean, to me, it might as well be a calculator watch. Ugh. However, when it comes to a beautifully crafted pocket watch or wristwatch, my heart is all a-patter with the shiny loveliness. Believe it or not, the pocket watch dates back to the 16th century and was the primary method of personal time telling until after WWI, when the whole wristwatch thing became a la mode. And while there have been some significant advances in the mechanisms (especially the development of batteries) the aesthetic, especially in pocket watches, has remained very much the same. I really like the idea of a gadget that stands the test of time, something that can be given to the next generation (you can't say the same for your iPhone, I bet). I've always had a thing for Fossil, and recently like a lot of the quirky designs from Betsey Johnson.
How about you? Any simple tech gadgets out there that you use every day that you'd like to share? Let us know.
--Natania Barron
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