Texas Man Rebuilds Life Around 1915 Technology, Gains Millions of Followers

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Parker Edmondson, a creator from Jacksonville, Texas, has built a massive online following of over 1.2 million on TikTok by documenting his life structured around century-old technology. Edmondson, who goes by the name Dr. Parkinstine, lives in a 1915 Sears mail-order home and collects antique appliances, furniture, and other artifacts from the early 20th century, which he showcases on his social media channels.

Why it matters

Edmondson's embrace of an obsolete lifestyle in the modern era has struck a chord with millions, highlighting a growing interest in simpler, more durable technologies and a rejection of the constant novelty and planned obsolescence of contemporary consumer culture.

The details

In his virtual tour of his 1915 home, Edmondson highlights the construction details built to last, such as sturdy joints, fixtures, and materials, in contrast to today's profit-driven, short-cycle products. He showcases a range of antique items, including a 1906 phonograph, a 1870s calendar clock, and a 1934 refrigerator that uses tear gas as a refrigerant. Edmondson also claims to have built a magnifying transmitter capable of transmitting wireless electricity nearly 1,000 miles, though he doesn't elaborate further on this.

• Edmondson started his TikTok account in the mid-2020s, building a following of over 1.2 million followers.
• He recently lost a TikTok account with around 880,000 followers shortly before a science conference.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Edmondson plans to eventually buy a Victorian house, turn it into a museum and bed-and-breakfast, and use the income to fund larger experiments with obsolete technologies.