Retro technology staging a comeback

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Typewriters, vinyl records and Polaroids may sound like a thing of the past, but today's high-tech generation are helping bring these retro items back to the main stage.

At the U.S. Office Machine company in Highland Park, typewriters never went away. They've been dealing in classic typewriters for more than 50 years.

"When they're on their computer with the internet, Facebook, instant messaging... they get distracted when they're trying to type. Let's face it you can only do one thing on your typewriter, and that's create and type," said Ruben Flores, a typewriter expert.

Vinyl is also making a big resurgence. Audiophiles have always said music sounds better on vinyl and some say there is just something special about it compared to a digital download.

"It's because it's an object and you get to handle it. You get to flip it. You get to experience it. The artwork is there for you, the sound quality," said Zach Taylor, a Los Feliz resident.

What could be more retro than a Polaroid picture? The instant cameras are back, and now customers can take all those precious memories from Facebook and Instagram and hold them in their hands.

"More photos were taken last year than in the history of photography combined, and if you ask anybody if they've printed off any of their photos on their cellphones, typically their answer is no," said Peter Lythgoe with Polaroid.

At the Polaroid Fotobar, which is in several malls all over Southern California, customers can log in to their digital accounts and make their pictures look like Polaroids. They can also put them in frames.

Who would have thought that all those old things we have in the attic are suddenly cool for the holidays?