NEXT TIME YOU FIRE UP A
PlayStation or launch Fortnite, take a
moment of reverence for the 1972 Atari
classic, Pong. Those two digital paddles—
more like moving line segments— and the
dot bouncing between them kicked off
the era of modern video gaming. Now, a
version of that contest is back, in furniture
form: The Pong Table is a 28-by-48-inch
analog shrine to digital culture.
Rather than joysticking onscreen
paddles, players spin oversize dials to
move physical clackers under the glass.
Inside, a computer controls a series of
motors and pulleys magnetically linked
to the pieces on the surface. Choose a
traditional two-person match, a contest
against AI, or even watch the table battle
itself. The digital scoreboard doubles as a
clock when the game ends and the house
champion reigns supreme.
table
tennis
BYSTAN HORACZEKONE PERFECT THINGPOPSCI.COM/ SPRING 2020 29