Performa
Member
The Central Wisconsin Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Preserve is a long name for a relatively simple premise- cathode ray tube video displays, either television sets or computer monitors, are getting harder to find as more are recycled or otherwise thrown away. Natural attrition as electronic components gradually fail means that the number of CRT TVs and monitors is not only finite, but dwindling every year.
While plenty of retro hobbyists, collectors, and enthusiasts would like to save all the sets they come across, a fundamental problem exists in that not all of us have the room to randomly take in sets that we don't have use for. Meanwhile on the flip side, plenty of retro enthusiasts, particularly those just entering the hobby, are unable to get the sets- either because they aren't available where they are, or are too expensive via 3rd party resellers on sites like eBay.
Thus, the CRT Preserve. By creating a centralized location, disused and unwanted TV sets and monitors can be scooped up and rescued. Then, when someone in the club wants or needs a set, the club can provide them quickly and easily to whoever is willing to visit us to come pick them up. In this way we are keeping these great old things out of our landfills and waterways, and instead putting them back into the hands of collectors and enthusiasts who will use them as intended- either for retro gaming or whatever really.
I have no idea how long the project will remain viable- at some point there won't be any more "free" and "discarded" TVs and monitors anymore, which will be too bad for everyone. Until then, we'll do our best to keep TVs out of the landfills, and in the hands of people who will love them.
If you've got TVs that you want to rehome, or if you would love a TV for your retro setup, reach out!
While plenty of retro hobbyists, collectors, and enthusiasts would like to save all the sets they come across, a fundamental problem exists in that not all of us have the room to randomly take in sets that we don't have use for. Meanwhile on the flip side, plenty of retro enthusiasts, particularly those just entering the hobby, are unable to get the sets- either because they aren't available where they are, or are too expensive via 3rd party resellers on sites like eBay.
Thus, the CRT Preserve. By creating a centralized location, disused and unwanted TV sets and monitors can be scooped up and rescued. Then, when someone in the club wants or needs a set, the club can provide them quickly and easily to whoever is willing to visit us to come pick them up. In this way we are keeping these great old things out of our landfills and waterways, and instead putting them back into the hands of collectors and enthusiasts who will use them as intended- either for retro gaming or whatever really.
I have no idea how long the project will remain viable- at some point there won't be any more "free" and "discarded" TVs and monitors anymore, which will be too bad for everyone. Until then, we'll do our best to keep TVs out of the landfills, and in the hands of people who will love them.
If you've got TVs that you want to rehome, or if you would love a TV for your retro setup, reach out!