Sorry to say, but many of the devices you list as "abandoned" are not only still in use but are still generating demand driven emerging markets. There are many audiophiles who will never listen to CDs or mp3s. Higher quality vinyl recordings are selling for top dollar, just try to find a copy of the remastered vinyl set of Jeniffer Warren's "Little Blue Raincoat." I would bet the price and demand for the set would astound you. Reel to reel tape players get the same argument. There are some audiophiles who swear by the medium. Turntables, as stated, are still being mass produced. Audiophiles will pay exhorbitant amounts for tone-arms, needles or any number of components, let alone an entire turn table system. Modems are still in wide use in many EDI (Electronic Direct Interface) systems that fulfill stock maintenance and ordering between large purchasers like Wal-Mart and the factories that produce their stock. In fact, some of these large companies will not do business with you unless you have a modem setup for EDI. I would also add that these are not your ordinary modems and programming one is much like learning a new programming language. The CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) is far from abandoned as well. Many of the highest quality audio manufacturers are still producing tube driven equipment. Modern DACs (Digital to Analog Converter) are very often seen with a tube stage at the end of their processing for the sonic properties they render. As for the slide rule, many engineers, architects and various other professions still use them diligently. Many people don't believe that the store should close if the register isn't working simply because no one bothered to learn how to make change without it. While the idea of this little jog back in time is a nice feeling for nostalgia, it could have been done much more ineptly. Don't relegate devices that still have major value and importance as abandoned, and therefore unworthy of the effort of learning required to use them, until you check all your facts against real-world, real-time application. Just my suggestion.