13 Pieces Of Electronics From the 60s That Were the Ultimate Flex
Long before smartphones and smartwatches ruled the waves, flexing your tech game in the 1960s meant owning the latest and greatest electronics.
Whether it was a high-end stereo system that made your living room feel like a concert hall or a television so sleek it looked like it belonged in The Jetsons, these gadgets weren’t just tools—they were conversation starters.
Some of them were groundbreaking, others were simply extravagant, but all of them made their owners feel like they were ahead of their time.
1. The Zenith Space Command Remote-Controlled TV
Owning a television in the ’60s was impressive enough, but having one with a wireless remote? That was next-level luxury. The Zenith Space Command used ultrasonic sound waves to change channels—no cords, no buttons, just pure sci-fi magic.
Sure, it would sometimes react to random high-pitched noises, but that was a small price to pay for never having to leave the couch.
2. The Sony TV8-301 Portable Television
In an era when most TVs were massive wooden furniture pieces, Sony introduced a compact, portable television that looked straight out of a space station.
With an 8-inch screen and a sleek design, it was the kind of gadget that made guests go, “You can take it anywhere?”—even though “portable” really just meant “you could move it from one room to another without breaking your back.”
Anyone who owned this TV instantly had a reputation for being on the cutting edge of technology.
3. The Garrard 401 Turntable
Serious music lovers knew that a high-quality turntable was the key to an elite home audio setup. The Garrard 401 wasn’t just a record player; it was an engineering masterpiece with precision speed control and a motor so smooth it felt like it was crafted by NASA.
Music enthusiasts who had one weren’t just listening to records—they were curating a premium audio experience.
4. The Motorola DynaTAC Prototype
Okay, so it wasn’t commercially available in the ’60s, but if you worked for Motorola or had connections, getting your hands on this brick of a mobile phone made you a true tech king.
It wasn’t exactly pocket-friendly, but the idea of making a call from anywhere (as long as “anywhere” had a working cell tower nearby) was pure science fiction turned reality.
Anyone seen carrying this around was practically a walking advertisement for the future.
5. The Philco Predicta TV
A television that looked like a prop from 2001: A Space Odyssey? That was the Philco Predicta. With a floating screen design and a sleek, futuristic frame, this TV was as much a statement piece as it was an entertainment device.
Those who owned one weren’t just watching television—they were broadcasting their impeccable taste in design and technology.
6. The Norelco Razor with Floating Heads
Before this innovation, electric razors were clunky, inefficient, and left faces feeling like sandpaper. Norelco’s floating-head design changed the game, giving men the smoothest shave of their lives.
If this was sitting on your bathroom counter, you were clearly a man who valued both style and convenience.
7. The Akai M-8 Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder
If you were serious about sound recording, a reel-to-reel machine like the Akai M-8 was the way to show off. It delivered crystal-clear audio and had enough knobs and switches to make anyone feel like a professional sound engineer.
Those who mastered this machine weren’t just casual listeners—they were audiophiles before the term was even popular.
8. The Polaroid Model 100 Land Camera
Instant photography in the 1960s? That was a mind-blowing concept. The Polaroid Model 100 let you snap a photo and watch it develop before your eyes, making it the ultimate party trick.
Anyone with this camera didn’t just document memories—they captured moments in real time, something unheard of back then.
9. The Sony TC-357 Reel-to-Reel Tape Deck
For those who weren’t satisfied with just listening to music, the Sony TC-357 offered studio-quality recording in their own homes. Whether it was taping radio shows or making custom mixtapes, this was the gadget of choice for true audiophiles.
If you had one, your living room probably doubled as a recording studio.
10. The IBM Selectric Typewriter
If you worked in an office (or wanted to look like you did), the IBM Selectric was the ultimate power move. With its revolutionary golf ball typing element, it was faster, smoother, and just plain cooler than anything else on the market.
Having one of these on your desk instantly made you look like you meant business—literally.
11. The General Electric P-780 Transistor Radio
Nothing said “I’m in tune with the times” like carrying around a sleek transistor radio. The GE P-780 had exceptional sound quality, a stylish design, and enough durability to survive a road trip.
Whether blasting The Beatles or tuning into the latest news, this radio was a must-have for anyone who wanted to stay connected.
12. The Kodak Carousel 800 Slide Projector
Before home video was a thing, families gathered around slide projectors to relive their best memories. The Kodak Carousel 800 made it all feel high-tech, with its smooth rotation and sleek design.
Owning one of these meant you weren’t just showing photos—you were curating cinematic experiences for family and friends.
13. The Magnavox Stereo Console
Part furniture, part high-end sound system, the Magnavox Stereo Console was a statement piece. It combined turntables, radios, and speakers into one stylish wooden cabinet, proving that home entertainment could be both elegant and powerful.
Having one in your living room sent a clear message: you took your music seriously, and you had the setup to prove it.