Clear Tech: A Transparent View into Y2K / Frutiger Aero Tech

Clear Tech, aka: Prison Tech, made its entry during the late 90s to early 2000s. While originally intended to make technology safer by clearly viewing interiors for contraband, something about being able to see the guts of a device felt more user friendly, futuristic, and trendy. Conceived from a rare moment of optimism from technology, there was this cultural desire to understand machines rather than hiding them in dark offices. Mostly developed by third-party companies, it wasn’t until companies like Apple, Nintendo, and many more picked it up that it really changed our view on technology and its integration into daily life. 

iMac G3 

iMac G3 with a transparent blue shell

When the iMac G3 was released in 1998, it was a neck breaker. Not only did it save Apple from going bankrupt, but it also reset how people thought technology should look. From millennial beige to pop color, it was made to feel like it belonged in daily life. It became one of Apple’s most popular computers, with over 800,000 units being sold in its first five months. Everyone wanted a pretty little Mac in their home (I know I did). 

Nintendo

 

Nintendo's N64 Funtastic series. Credit to u/Nylokken

Nintendo joined in on the action in the late 90s with their iconic “Atomic Purple” Nintendo 64. This is when Clear Tech really started to take off, leading to Nintendo also releasing GameBoy and GameCube Clear Tech variants like Clear Blue and Clear Black. This opened the door to customization in the gaming community like never before, resulting in even special editions like their “Funtastic” series coming to fruition.

 

PlayStation 2

PlayStation 2 with a transparent blue shell

The PlayStation 2 was also released in a Clear Tech variant, coming in with popular colors such as Ocean Blue, Midnight Blue, and Aqua Blue. While originally released in Japan in July 2002, it later became accessible in the USA for all consumers to enjoy from late 2002 to early 2003. Not long after the consoles, they brought us Clear Tech DualShock controllers, adding to the already common collectible accessories. 

Tamagotchi Pets

Tamagotchi device with a transparent light blue shell

 Tamagotchi pets were introduced back in 1997. Little, egg shaped pets, requiring constant care like feeding, cleaning, playing, and even medicating them. Everyone wanted this little stocking stuffer in their pockets. While originally made in fun colors, they slowly adapted the Clear Tech look for their little pets, adding that same Frutiger look to them.

Nokia 3200

Nokia 3200 phones with different clear shell designs

The Nokia 3200 was released in late 2003, a distinctive new phone in a variety of colors known for its customization capabilities and user friendly interface. Consumers were able to break open the phone, put in a photo or some trinkets, and close it back up easily, making your customization needs endless.

Aiwa XP-V323YL

Aiwa XP CD Player with a blue transparent shell

In the early 2000s, CD players were everywhere. I mean, everywhere. Of the many who adopted the Clear Tech style, the Aiwa XP-V323YL was one of the most popular, known for its see-through design, portability, and color customization. It provided the user with CD-R/RW playback, a digital display, and basic controls for on the go music, all while running on just 2 AA batteries. It became a classic example of compact audio trends.

Aqua Liquid Mouse

Many different Aqua Mice throughout the years

Did you guys expect the aqua mouse being included in this post? Honestly, we didn't initially but while doing research to get this post made, we realized that our most beloved aqua mice actually fits right in the clear tech aesthetic! (We promise this isn't supposed to be an ad... 😅)

We did create another post like this one exclusively about the history of the aqua mouse here!

 

Landline Phones

Landline phones with colorful clear shells

Companies like Conair, Lonestar, and Unisonic joined in on the fad by producing landline phones with the same transparent look, bringing the attention to their colorful components and innards. With its addition of neon colors and transparency, it brought a retro futuristic look that turned mundane tech into fun, elegant pieces of everyday life. 

 

The Fall and Silent Revival of Clear Tech

Beats Studio Buds photo by NYT

Clear Tech was a HUGE deal back then, but like all good things, it eventually found its end. People started to associate plastic with being “cheaply made” or “childish”, while minimalism started to really take over the corporate and professional industries. It’s like the world had a dopamine crash, so we desensitized ourselves. From bubbly colors to the opaque and silence of white and grey, we lost our grasp on Clear Tech. It started to die. Tech became more understood; it wasn't a mystery anymore whether something worked or not. No one really cared anymore. So we closed ourselves back up, entering the era of technology we see today.

But that wasn’t the end of Clear Tech. With the beautiful communities we have today, we’ve brought back our love for nostalgia. It returned in the 2020s, but it changed form.  One example of its revival would be the introduction of the Analogue 3D, which are pretty much tiny 4K Nintendo 64s, even releasing in their iconic Funtastic Series colors.

Analogue 3D in their Funtastic Series colors

Memories rush in, comfort warms you, longing for a time when the technology felt optimistic. That’s when we, as a Frutiger Aero community, have begun to embrace the old and make it anew.