Building a ‘magic magnetic theater’ from a 1979 HP pen plotter driven by an RPi3. The pen here replaced by an electromagnet. Can track and move various objects that are placed on the (eventual) stage
n0st4lgix
The Nordsiek analog computer, from 1950, an electromechanical computer capable of calculating differential equations. Downside was it was programmed via patch cables carrying over 100 volts and the programmer routinely got shocked while doing his thing.
Slightly creepy NASA robot built in the 1960s to test space suits. Never worked right, NASA eventually auctioned it off on 2016. Missed that one.
“Robert Goddard” (1996) by Nam June Paik.
Before RAM was invented, computers had magnetic core memory. These were hand-woven matrices made from thousands of tiny ferrite beads. Very slow, very large of course compared to anything modern. One unique thing though is that the magnetic state of these beads is retained even with the power off, so if you happened to find an old computer from the 60s and powered it on, the last program it ran would still be there.