We're used to upgrading our tech every few years – a new iPhone, a faster processor, a graphics card that can handle the latest games. Old hardware often gets resold or tossed. But many outdated devices are still working, and surprisingly, still essential. Here are eight remarkable examples of vintage tech that’s still holding its own.
Table of Contents
- Retro Computers Mining Bitcoin
- A Reliable Mechanic’s Assistant Since the ‘80s
- Vintage Tech as a Bakery POS System
- Outdated Systems Managing Nuclear Arsenals
- Windows XP Powers Multi-Billion Dollar Aircraft Carrier
- Critical Airport Infrastructure Fails Due to Legacy Software
- Classic Hardware Used for Cutting-Edge Research
- Nostalgia Keeps Old Systems Alive
Retro Computers Mining Bitcoin
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Believe it or not, a Commodore 64 (from 1982!) was used to mine Bitcoin. The results? A paltry 0.3 hashes per second thanks to its 8-bit, 1 MHz processor. An RTX 3080 GPU, for comparison, manages 100 million hashes per second. Mining a single Bitcoin on the C64? Expect to wait about a billion years.
Another YouTuber, stacksmashing, tried mining with a 1989 Nintendo Game Boy, connecting it to the internet via a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller. The Game Boy clocked in at 0.8 hashes per second – slightly faster than the C64, but still about 125 trillion times slower than modern ASIC miners. To mine one Bitcoin, this Game Boy would need to run longer than the universe has existed.
A Reliable Mechanic’s Assistant Since the ‘80s
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In Gdansk, Poland, a Commodore 64C has been helping mechanics for over three decades. It even survived a flood! This trusty machine flawlessly calculates drive shaft measurements. This 1 MHz CPU with 64 KB of memory runs custom software created by the business owner, proving older tech can sometimes outlast the new.
Vintage Tech as a Bakery POS System
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An Indiana bakery has used a Commodore 64 as its point-of-sale (POS) system since the 1980s. Affectionately nicknamed the "breadbox," this online cash register remains reliable, needing only updated keyboard labels for new baked goods – unlike modern POS systems prone to software update headaches.
Outdated Systems Managing Nuclear Arsenals
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The United States manages part of its nuclear arsenal using a 1976 IBM computer and 8-inch floppy disks (storing about 80 KB of data – less than your average instant message!). While modernization is planned, the current system’s reliability keeps it in place.
Similarly, Germany’s navy uses 8-inch floppy disks on its Brandenburg-class frigates. Built in the 1990s with cutting-edge weaponry, these ships rely on this outdated storage. Upgrades are underway (including floppy disk emulators), but nostalgia seems to keep the original system running.
Windows XP Powers Multi-Billion Dollar Aircraft Carrier
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The British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, costing billions, runs on Windows XP – support ended in 2014. The Royal Navy assures us security measures are in place, but this reliance on outdated software raises some eyebrows.
Britain's Vanguard-class submarines (Victorious, Vigilant, and Vengeance) also use Windows XP for intercontinental missile management. These systems are offline for security reasons, with updates not planned until 2028.
Critical Airport Infrastructure Fails Due to Legacy Software
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In 2015, Paris Orly Airport experienced a system failure when a computer running Windows 3.1 (from 1992!) crashed. The DECOR software (providing pilots with weather data) stopped working, causing flight suspensions. Some joked the computer just wanted to upgrade to Windows 95.
Classic Hardware Used for Cutting-Edge Research
While not explicitly mentioned in the original, retro computers like the Commodore 64 are used in education to teach programming basics or simulate simple physics experiments. Their simplicity makes them ideal for understanding fundamental computing concepts.
Nostalgia Keeps Old Systems Alive
Beyond practical uses, many organizations keep legacy systems due to habit or nostalgia. Maintaining compatibility with existing workflows or avoiding costly upgrades highlights the enduring value of familiar tools.
These examples show how outdated technology continues to perform crucial functions across various industries. From gaming consoles mining cryptocurrency to older computers guiding global defense, legacy tech is surprisingly resilient. While upgrades will eventually replace them, these devices remind us of the enduring value of simplicity and reliability.
