Blip – 1977 Mechanical Pong [video]

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52 points·fortran77··6 comments

This toy with all its intricate, mechanical components cost $7.44 in 1977, equivalent to $32 today.

Electronic Pong games of the day cost 8X to 24X more. Crazy how that ratio has flipped, with electronics becoming cheaper and mechanics more expensive. I bet someone could recreate it with a 3D printer; a lot of it was plastic and the patent has some detailed diagrams of the gearing and cams: https://patents.google.com/patent/US4147350

a 3D printed version was my thought too.

That low cost was what stuck out in my mind. There used to be very complicated mechanisms in low end consumer electronics (VCR, Cassette Recorder, toys) that we don't see today in low-end items. In fact the only items I can think of that consumers see that have complicated mechanics are SLR cameras and lenses (and cars, of course).

I watched this yesterday. Very fascinating. I vaguely remember this as a kid. I don't know that I ever played one though. I definitely didn't know that it was actually mechanical.

I had one as a kid. It was surprisingly fun, but every time I played it, all I could think of was the red LED eye of the Cylons. The original BSG was airing when this toy came out.

Cool, I have one of these I bought on a lark from a yard sale. I haven't tried it out yet, but looks neat if it works.

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