By David Ponce
Why make the record spin on the needle, when you can make the needle spin on the record? I’m guessing this is the logic that prompted the creation of the amusing Record Runner. It’s a little truck that houses two things: a record playing needle (I bet there’s a technical term for it, and I’m just too stupid to know it) and some speakers. You then place the truck on the record, and set it loose. It goes round and round, all the while playing your music.
What is the practical use for such a thing? The benefit? Well, none probably, other than the fact that you can entertain your guests for about five minutes from the sheer novelty of it.
And, tell you what, why don’t you come inside and check out a nifty video?
[The Record Runner] VIA [TechEBlog]
Just a heads up for those thinking about buying one of these… They scratch records so don’t even think of putting it on top of a record that you actually like.
It’s just a super cool novelty item. 🙂
I think the term you are looking for for the record playing needle is ‘pick-up needle’ …
“stylus” is the term i’ve always seen and used
the application of this device would be to preview records at a location that does not have a turntable, for example a record store… but this might not be a good idea since, as johnny mentioned, it scratches the records 🙁
I think your family cat would have a field day with this thing 🙂
I don’t have the evidence to prove it, but I have seen this thing before, in a Dutch tv show in the 1980’s. The show was called ‘Wondere wereld’ (wonderous or miraculous world) and was hosted by Dutch tech legend Chriet Titulaer. All Dutch people who call themselves ‘geek’ today (and are above 25 years old) were wide-eyed fans of that show back then. (I count myself among them).
The clip itsself upon close inspection does reveal that the styling of everything, the gadget itsself, the clothes of the presentor, fits more into the 1980’s than in the early 21st century.
Well, at least now I have something to buy my dad for next Hannukah.
Err..wait I just realized it’s not for sale. Eheheheh.
Actually these are really useful when your shopping for used vinyls. A lot of DJ’s who dig up old tunes use similar portable players.