Computers

Computer peripherals get the old time touch

Computer peripherals get the old time touch
Kirk DuQuette designs, hand-builds and sells a growing number of antique-looking computer peripherals and iDevice docking stations
Kirk DuQuette designs, hand-builds and sells a growing number of antique-looking computer peripherals and iDevice docking stations
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The Maplewood iMac cover created by Old Time Computer
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The Maplewood iMac cover created by Old Time Computer
Wireless keyboard and mouse get a vintage overhaul
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Wireless keyboard and mouse get a vintage overhaul
iMac cover created in the Shaker style
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iMac cover created in the Shaker style
A Kindle e-Reader stand
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A Kindle e-Reader stand
Three iDevices on one vintage docking station
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Three iDevices on one vintage docking station
iPhone and iPad side by side on am antique-look wooden dock
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iPhone and iPad side by side on am antique-look wooden dock
Desk tidy and iPhone dock
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Desk tidy and iPhone dock
Look at the brass handles on this clicky keyboard based on an IBM Model M
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Look at the brass handles on this clicky keyboard based on an IBM Model M
Gorgeous iMac cover with iPhone dock stand underneath
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Gorgeous iMac cover with iPhone dock stand underneath
Even hard drives get some antique love
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Even hard drives get some antique love
An iPhone dock doubles up as an Apple monitor base
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An iPhone dock doubles up as an Apple monitor base
Modern technology with an antique feel courtesy of Old Time Computer
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Modern technology with an antique feel courtesy of Old Time Computer
Kirk DuQuette designs, hand-builds and sells a growing number of antique-looking computer peripherals and iDevice docking stations
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Kirk DuQuette designs, hand-builds and sells a growing number of antique-looking computer peripherals and iDevice docking stations
Reading lamp and iPhone dock
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Reading lamp and iPhone dock
Marble effect dock at the base of a monitor, with wireless keyboard and mouse
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Marble effect dock at the base of a monitor, with wireless keyboard and mouse
Wireless keyboard in gold engine turn effect
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Wireless keyboard in gold engine turn effect
The vintage wireless ensemble, with wooden mouse mat known as the Mouse Stable
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The vintage wireless ensemble, with wooden mouse mat known as the Mouse Stable
Close up of the detailing on an iMac cover
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Close up of the detailing on an iMac cover
Shaker style monitor and keyboard
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Shaker style monitor and keyboard
Brass, gold and oak iMac cover with marble effect base and oak and gold keyboard trim
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Brass, gold and oak iMac cover with marble effect base and oak and gold keyboard trim
Old vacuum tubes add to the aesthetic for this iPhone dock
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Old vacuum tubes add to the aesthetic for this iPhone dock
Wireless keyboards from Old Time Computer
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Wireless keyboards from Old Time Computer
Monitor, wireless mouse and keyboard - all waiting for an antique computer to bring them to life
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Monitor, wireless mouse and keyboard - all waiting for an antique computer to bring them to life
A sharp-looking iPad dock
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A sharp-looking iPad dock
Detailing on the wireless keyboard in gold engine turn effect
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Detailing on the wireless keyboard in gold engine turn effect
Standing the test of time - an iPad dock
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Standing the test of time - an iPad dock
DuQuette has built a full desktop computer system into a kidney-shaped antique desk
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DuQuette has built a full desktop computer system into a kidney-shaped antique desk
The Deco v2 iMac cover with curly Maple trim
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The Deco v2 iMac cover with curly Maple trim
Close up of the full desktop computer setup
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Close up of the full desktop computer setup
View gallery - 29 images

Many of us breathed a sigh of relief when the uncomfortable lesson in bland that was the digital age of beige came to an end, but even some of the latest styling can be somewhat disappointing. The growing popularity of Steampunk design is evidence that many crave a return to the classic looks of yesteryear but enthusiasts wanting their technology to take on a vintage look are, for the most part, left with little option but to modify the kit themselves. Those with no time to spare or no skills to speak of, though, are left to look on with envious admiration. Kirk DuQuette has not only created a whole bunch of stunning computer peripherals and mobile device docks that hark back to the Victorian age of steam but, without much of the valve, cog and gauge overkill, he has also made some of them available for purchase.

An unfortunate encounter with an 80 year-old driver lost DuQuette the use of his right hand and forced him to rethink both his day job as a graphic artist and his hobby as a noted Hot Rod Woodie designer and builder. While recuperating, he discovered that he had cancer and, needing something to keep himself occupied and help him through the ordeal, he turned his attention to modifying the look of computers.

"I've been doing computer mods for years," DuQuette told Gizmag. "I was able to handle the smaller size compared to hotrod building. I was sick of the cheap plastic look of everything and wanted stuff to look old, like it was built years ago, so turned to styles from the Art Deco, Shaker and Victorian periods."

Modern technology with an antique feel courtesy of Old Time Computer
Modern technology with an antique feel courtesy of Old Time Computer

Putting his handsome Old Time Computer creations online, he attracted quite a following and decided to go into small-scale production. An Etsy store followed for selected designs and some others were put up for auction on eBay.

DuQuette makes a wireless keyboard and laser mouse combination, linked to a computer via a 2.4 GHz USB receiver. The keyboards are available in different finishes (including hand-painted faux marble, burl walnut, and gold or silver engine turn effect) and feature raised, disc-shaped keys like those on the Philco PC concept from Dave Schulze, which was itself inspired by the ones found on a classic mechanical typewriter such as the Underwood.

Look at the brass handles on this clicky keyboard based on an IBM Model M
Look at the brass handles on this clicky keyboard based on an IBM Model M

For those who want some mechanical authenticity as well, noisy and heavy models built using old IBM Model M clicky keyboards are available, connecting via an old-school PS/2 connector (users of modern computers will likely need a PS/2 to USB adapter). A modern wireless mouse also receives a marble effect antique make-over, with oak trim, and there's even a similarly-styled wooden mouse mat.

LCD monitors are put through the same artificial aging process and given a hand-painted marble base and gold and brass trim. The smooth brushed aluminum finish of an iMac can be masked behind an equally gorgeous vintage custom cover in oak with brass and gold accents. The base gets hidden by a hard maple cover with marble finish and there's oak and gold trim for the keyboard.

DuQuette has built a full desktop computer system into a kidney-shaped antique desk
DuQuette has built a full desktop computer system into a kidney-shaped antique desk

Although not for sale, he has also built a full desktop computer system into a kidney-shaped antique desk that features three drives, offering a choice of booting to Windows, Mac or Linux. It's powered by a dual-core processor running at 3.2GHz, has a DVD optical drive and hidden USB ports and is about as far from the dreaded beige box of the 1980s as you could possibly get, but not quite as imposing as Bruce Rosenbaum's Steampunk Organ Command Desk.

With the future of personal computing looking decidedly mobile, the latest additions to DuQuette's growing online collection are docking stations for iDevices like the iPhone and iPad (or both). The docks are available in various woods and a number of different finishes, brass and gold fixtures and fittings add a little extra something to the aesthetic and they can even be made to fit over iMac or Apple Studio Monitor bases. Dual and triple device docks can be produced.

Reading lamp and iPhone dock
Reading lamp and iPhone dock

All models include a USB cable, can both sync and charge, are compatible with newer iDevices and can be used in conjunction with device covers. Docks/stands for Android devices and e-Readers can also be made.

All items are hand-made to order and available in strictly limited numbers to U.S. customers only.

View gallery - 29 images
1 comment
1 comment
christopher
Awesome... but he cheated and used L.E.D.s instead of panelmount globes for the keyboard indicators, and forgot to cover the cable with cloth braid.
(and if he\'s reading this - get one of those \"learning electronics\" books by Forrest M Mims - that will show you how to stick a transistor on the bulb to make it work where the LEDs go :-)