Some Quirky Designs I Like

~ beetleypete

Some things just appeal to me, even many designed since the year 2000. Other retro designs from the past have stayed with me since I was young.

Here are some I really like.

A late 1950s motor scooter designed for touring.

The Rocket Clock.

A 1950s film camera in bright colours with a huge flash attachment.

A dinosaur chair for children. You would need a big room!

Late 1950s ‘Space Age’ radio.

Aeroplane controls repurposed as a clock.

A modern computer keyboard designed in the Art Deco style.
(I am trying to find where to buy this. *I found it, and it costs $2,000. So I won’t be getting one!)

A Vespa Scooter table lamp.

1930s Art Deco vacuum cleaner.

VW Campervan cooker.

1930s Art Deco portable record player.

59 thoughts on “Some Quirky Designs I Like”

    1. I actually use a large key, high-visibility keyboard that doesn’t strain my eyes. The one shown is sold on various sites for around $2,000 and I would have to pay shipping from America. I will stick with my yellow and black one for now. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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        1. I was 39 when I got it. I had a motorcycle before that, when I was 26. I only used both to commute to and from work. London traffic isn’t as dangerous as Texas traffic, as it hardly moves. 🙂
          Best wishes, Pete.

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  15. (1) I’d spring for that 1950s motor scooter with the springy seat.
    (2) If a kid ever mars my rocket clock…
    (3) I tried that film camera. Its huge flash attachment spoiled a photo I was trying to take of my shadow.
    (4) That dinosaur has a pocket for young’uns. Doesn’t that make it a marsupial?
    (5) Does a space age radio station play music by Gustav Holst?
    (6) Air Traffic Control: “Flight 84, we’re clocking you at 615 mph. You need to get your speed under control.”
    (7) Unfortunately, the Art Deco keyboard is a Gothic font generator.
    (8) Does one ever tire of a Vespa Scooter table lamp?
    (9) My Art Deco vacuum cleaner only picks up Art Deco dirt.
    (10) I used my VW Campervan as a trade-in for a Winnebago cooker. But then I discovered that I couldn’t get it through the front door. So I had to settle for bringing in my old barbecue grill.
    (11) I love my 1930s Art Deco portable record player. I don’t have any records to play, so I’m using it as doorstop. Whenever the door opens, it chimes!

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    1. 3) You could only use that flash in complete darkness, I presume. Or if you are sending a signal to a spaceship.
      11) Vinyl is making a comeback, and is all the rage over here now. I think someone should start manufacturing that old record player again, and meet the demand! 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  16. Pingback: Some Quirky Designs I Like | beetleypete | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

    1. There are lots of typewriter-style keyboards for computers. Not sure about that Art Deco one though, as I didn’t read on once I saw the price of it. 🙂 This one is quite cool though.
      https://www.fruugo.co.uk/retro-typewriter-keyboard-wireless-bluetooth-mechanical-keyboards-83-keys-computer-keyboard-for-laptop-pc-gaming/p-267719916-591947631?language=en&ac=croud&asc=pmax&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAz8GuBhCxARIsAOpzk8zYLSfItTnMQe35f3cwmvR3tPGHQt7mu4dUChSUOz-Xu7GGlIFMo5EaAku4EALw_wcB
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  21. I had a Lambretta scooter for a short while before I got my Honda S 90. It was a great ride, three speed on the handle bar and ran like the wind. Too many of my friends made fun of me, so I had to get a real motorcycle. Peer pressure is real.

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  22. I like the scooter. The writer I mentioned yesterday rode a scooter across the States years ago and I can’t think of a better way to do it is you have time. I wouldn’t mind that keyboard myself. Modern ones seem designed to wear out. But not for $2,000

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    1. I might buy that keyboard if I won the lottery, otherwise I could never justify spending that much. The scooter is a lovely design, but old technology. One of the companies should make it again in that style, with electric start and easy mechanicals. I’m sure it would sell to a certain demographic.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  23. Some more great stuff there, Pete. It’s funny how antiquated radios seem nowadays: I wonder how few people under 60 have one, now? Also, the design of current ones seems quite retro, mostly? I’m curious about the VW cooker: does the whole frontage hinge down, with the controls, to give access to an oven? It must be a big one, or perhaps 2 with concealed inner doors? Cheers, Jon.

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    1. I only found the photo of the VW Cooker, Jon, and cannot find out any extra information about it.
      We have a DAB Radio/CD player that we take on holiday. It is a Roberts Radio product. It is this one, (called a Zoombox) but an earlier model in a darker colour. And it cost us a lot less than it retails for now. (I think we paid £59 for it)
      https://www.robertsradio.com/en-gb/search-results?keywords=zoombox
      Best wishes, Pete.

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