I spy

[Enzo]

Scanning my TV channels I saw the beginning of Contact with Jodie Foster. The young Jodie was on her short wave radio sending out CQs. I just noticed behind her transmitter was an old Eico 147A signal tracer, clear as day.

[Leo_Gnardo]

Later on, in a scene at the Arecibo radio telescope facility there's stacks of scientific equipment blinking away in the lab. Sharp eyed observers will note a couple of Eventide Harmonizers, apparently essential gear in snooping intergalactic radio waves.

[J M Fahey]

And those were advanced and (somewhat) related props.
I remember "computers" being flat panels with holes and Christmas tree lights blinking inside at random.

[eschertron]

And those were advanced and (somewhat) related props.
I remember "computers" being flat panels with holes and Christmas tree lights blinking inside at random.

I watched Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea as a kid. I don't remember what their computers looked like, but the nuclear reactor was a board with Christmas tree lights blinking inside at random.

On that note, I was thrilled when the show Star Trek: Enterprise aired. Their starship's reactor was modeled on what a 1950's concept of a reactor might look like, blinking lights and all. In fact, many of their props were intentionally "retro" in style.

[bsco]

And those were advanced and (somewhat) related props.
I remember "computers" being flat panels with holes and Christmas tree lights blinking inside at random.

early Star Trek comes to mind....

[drewl]

When I worked on test equipment back in the 80's, we had a request for a bunch of gear that didn't have to work, just light up and look cool.

It was used in the movie The Abyss.
We got a nice thank you letter from James Cameron.

Bernie Getz was a customer who'd stop by from time to time.

[nevetslab]

Later on, in a scene at the Arecibo radio telescope facility there's stacks of scientific equipment blinking away in the lab. Sharp eyed observers will note a couple of Eventide Harmonizers, apparently essential gear in snooping intergalactic radio waves.

Later on, still at Arecibo, one of the instruments she was sitting in front of, with headphones on, was a Wandell & Goltermann SPM-19 25MHz Wave Analyzer like I had moved back home from my lockers. Beautiful instrument!

[nickb]

And those were advanced and (somewhat) related props.
I remember "computers" being flat panels with holes and Christmas tree lights blinking inside at random.

Well there's a funny thing. One early TI development system I used could have it's boot modified by setting switches, press store, repeat until done. The switches were machine instructions and there were lights which showed the instructions as they were executed. So, the image is based on reality, albeit rather an old one.

[nickb]

Later on, still at Arecibo, one of the instruments she was sitting in front of, with headphones on, was a Wandell & Goltermann SPM-19 25MHz Wave Analyzer like I had moved back home from my lockers. Beautiful instrument!

I now it would hurt, but maybe there's a market for your old gear as film props?

[g1]

I now it would hurt, but maybe there's a market for you old gear as film props?

My Dad's old car got 'recruited' for a film shoot and I did all the dealings etc. The amount of money being thrown around was unbelievable.