I started going the cyberdeck route and ended up using the chassis and keyboard of an early generation “laptop” (original weight 10 lbs.) with a new screen and the Pi. I made up a little text adventure game for people to play on it at events. It was popular enough but the keyboard was just worn out and kept failing.
So time to rethink the project. This time I would go older–back to the 1970s for a terminal. There were many designs out there and I eventually settled on the DEC VT-05 from 1970, which was about the swoopiest of them all and I think the first terminal that included and integrated video screen.
Once I found this publicity photo from DEC I knew I would have to get the tulip chair as well once the terminal was ready.
At first I thought I could use the large 3D printer at IBiB to print the outer shell (including the black insert) in a single go but that proved unworkable. So I had to start building it up in pieces and then spent too much quality time gluing, sanding, plastering, sanding, plastering, priming, sanding, painting, sanding, coating, etc.
The shell is scaled down from the original, especially in depth. I found what passes for a “mechanical” keyboard these days (if only the younger generation knew) that fit well and disassembled a 12″ LCD security monitor to use as a display.
Running the same text based adventure game as the old laptop, I took it to a recent makerfaire and turned the public loose on it. The repro tulip chair finally arrived the day before the faire. It went over well. Next I will be expanding the repertoire of text games and activities people can play on it.
