The BEST episodes of Retro Tech season 1
Every episode of Retro Tech season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Retro Tech season 1!
Follow tech guru Marques Brownlee as he uncovers how iconic technology of the past came to life and shaped history. In each episode, Marques meets with fellow YouTube creators, experts, and celebrity guests, to explore the impact each piece of vintage tech has had on our culture and why these pieces remain so revolutionary.
#1 - Walkman
Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 12/2/2019
When the Sony Walkman hit the market in the 1970s, it was the first time we were able to take our music with us on-the-go. I explore this iconic piece of tech—from the inspiration behind its compact design to how it changed portable audio forever. I also enlist the help of fellow YouTube creator Judner A.K.A. Uravgconsumer to fix a busted Walkman. The Gregory Brothers join me to test out whether a vintage Walkman is durable enough to survive a game of ultimate frisbee.
Watch Now:Amazon#2 - Polaroid
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 12/2/2019
Way before cell phone cameras, we took selfies with Polaroids. I explore how the first Polaroid camera, the Polaroid SX-70, turned us all into amateur photographers and paved the way for our social media-obsessed culture. Fellow YouTube creator and model Karlie Kloss teams up with me to make photo filters the retro way — with bleach. And Peter Mckinnon stops by to play “Dope or Nope.”
Watch Now:Amazon#3 - DynaTAC
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 12/2/2019
The first ever cellular phone was the Motorola DynaTAC 8000x. It cost $10,295 in today’s dollars and had to charge for 10 hours just to make a 30 minute call. Without the DynaTAC, would we all have cellphones today? I dive into the history and impact of this piece of iconic tech and explores how its release led to our current cell phone obsessed culture. YouTube creators Austin Evans and Sara Dietschy join me to test out some other pieces of retro tech, like a pager and a lipstick cellphone.
Watch Now:Amazon#4 - Sega Genesis
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 12/2/2019
In 1988, Sega took Nintendo by storm and released the Sega Genesis. The conflict between the two companies created a video game console war for the ages. I learn about the cultural impact the Genesis had from comedian Hannibal Burress and play Mortal Combat for the first time against Mari Takahashi from Smosh Games. Fellow YouTube creator Jake Baldino from Gameranx teams up with me to test some questionable Sega Genesis gaming accessories.
Watch Now:Amazon#5 - Macintosh
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 12/2/2019
Everyone knows the 1984 Macintosh computer was a game changer for the tech industry. But why was this particular computer so iconic? I learn how Steve Jobs and his team took on computer giants IBM, changing personal computing forever. Living legend Bill Nye the Science Guy joins me to play Asteroids on an original Macintosh. And fellow YouTube creator and Apple expert iJustine explains why the 1984 Macintosh was able to beat its competitors.
Watch Now:Amazon#6 - Camcorder
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 12/2/2019
The JVC GR-C1 Camcorder was the first all-in-one handheld video camera. I trace the history of homemade videos back to the release of this iconic piece of tech and shows how its popularity led to the videos we watch on YouTube today. Fellow YouTube creator Casey Neistat shows me how to film and edit videos on this piece of retro tech. Spoiler alert: It’s not easy.
Watch Now:Amazon