Additional Coverage:
- ‘Pawn Stars’ boss Rick Harrison shows off a wooden telephone more expensive than an iPhone (marketrealist.com)
“Pawn Stars” Rick Harrison Gives History Lesson on Antique Tech
Las Vegas – Rick Harrison, star of the hit show “Pawn Stars,” recently offered a glimpse into the past, showcasing a collection of antique technology that rivals even the latest gadgets in historical significance. In a conversation with CNET, Harrison displayed a trio of technological marvels from bygone eras, highlighting how innovation has always captivated society.
Among the items was a hand-cranked card printing machine from the 1890s. Harrison explained the significance of this early personal printer, noting the advancements in cast-iron technology that made such a device possible.
“This was high-tech when it came out,” Harrison emphasized, drawing parallels to the excitement surrounding modern technology. He mused on how people in the 1890s likely marveled at their era’s innovations, much as we do today.
Next, Harrison presented a 1920s slide projector, complete with glass slides and what he described as “great optics” for the time. He pointed out how lens technology constantly improved throughout the 20th century, making each generation of projectors more advanced. Harrison, ever the showman, even joked about missing the eyepiece.
The final piece de resistance was a vintage wooden telephone, a rarity in today’s market. Harrison described it as the “smartphone” of its time, a compact model compared to the bulky wall-mounted phones that preceded it.
He noted the phone’s high price tag, comparing it to a modern iPhone, and emphasized how even the latest gadgets will eventually become relics of the past. The wooden telephone, with its two bells and receiver, served as a tangible reminder of how far communication technology has come.