Can someone list examples of technology that remains in its pristine design? Meaning that over the years, it remains the same.

I can only think of a few. Dispensing rolls for paper towels, aluminum foil and gift wrap. The product design changes but the roll is still a cardboard cylinder. A jar, still has a lid and holds contents. They look different but still do the same thing and are easily recognized.

I was going to say light switches but lights can now be controlled by computers or movement or density changes.

These are items that look and function exactly as they did when they were first invented and made public. Technology has made no changes to its design.

Things that a time traveler might recognize with no effort. Know how to use and understand its function.

Indoor plumbing?

Pens and pencils?

Keyboards?

Flashlights?

Rocking-chairs?

Beer?

Bread?

Books?

Indoor plumbing? Not really, there has been many changes from its inception, most noteably removal of lead, p-traps and cleanouts.

Pens and pencils? pens were quills with ink pots, pencils were roughly hewn and had lead in them - no

Keyboards? Considering keyboards used to be complex mechanical machines - no

Flashlights? I have a windup flash light, I have seen shaker lights as well - no Reflectors have changed, bulbs have changed and switches have changed

Rocking-chairs? there are Gliders - no

Beer? Certainly not, beer is nothing like it was when it was first designed

Bread? bread is nothing like it was - no

Books? books used to be hand written and bound in cloth - even the paper and ink has changed - no

clarity:
The things that are original and there is no other design or modification.

I was going to say mirrors but mirror reflectology is an exact science now with multiple compounds being used for different applications, example, laser mirrors and telescope mirrors not to forget, two-way mirrors.

You see it and you recognize it because it has always been that. Hasn't changed at all over the years.

swords haven't changed much...
boxing gloves...
denim jeans...
alligators...
dental floss...
interesting topic it gets the mind turning...

cigars...
tweezers...
toothpicks...
pistol magazines...
fixed blade knives...
backpacks...
steel toed boots...
trees...lol
most of these have some sort of variations but the principle design remains the same...

Nose drilling still the same =)

The form of jewerly has also changed: Ear necklaces like in Deep Space Nine, piercings just about anywhere. Hair feathers and extentions.
Most foods have changed. Ever heard of unleavened bread? Alcohol, surely refined for purity. Even our water supply has been affected by technology. About the only thing that might be considered pristine is raw bbq without flavorings but the grill is very different as well as many grilling techniques and requirements. Who throws a freshly killed rabbit on the fire anymore? Can you go out in a field and kill and butcher a cow? Do you think a bag of sugar comes from sugar cane? When is the last time you used a bucket to milk a cow for morning breakfast? Ground wheat into flour?
If you want to get natural you can recognize dirt, sometimes. But technology has even changed dirt...think potting soil and mulch.
Also natural occuring things are not "technology in its pristine form" because they are not technology.

It makes me wonder about all the 'ordinary' things I see around me.

Consider going back in time to even the days of the old west. You get a glass of water and it has dirt in it. The supper you are invited to has lead shot in it. The clothing you put on doesn't quite fit and is rough or uneven.
People smell different. Hair is usually dirty. Teeth are yellow or rotten and broken. People are stronger with more stamina.

Now go into the future a few hundred years. Disease and handicaps are nearly gone. Technology has changed things you thought could not be changed. Electrical devices no longer need a separate power source. There are no plugs, wires or electrical grids. Lights are no longer just on or off the light level varies by the ambient light sensed. Temperatures in buildings are controlled by computers so it is always perfect for humanity.

Science fiction written that deals with time travel demands these observations and considerations be evaluated. Its the science part of the fiction. Speculation of the future view is only limited by imagination but the past view requires research and at least something familiar.

A traveler in time just to our present should be able to 'see' things that are unchanged. They will recognize many things by observing its function but when they see something that hasn't changed at all the familiarity of it will give them stability. A focus to the crazy world they are witnessing.

This topic is trying to identify those things the traveler will see and say "Hey, I know exactly what that is and what it does because it is exactly the same". They pick up their stainless steel thermal mug and sip some hot filtered coffee with a hint of hazelnut as they look at that item and feel familiarity.

Ball bearings
Quaker Oatmeal.
Standard stick shift
Glass marbles
Horseshoes
The garden hoe
lawn rakes
Betty Crocker and syrup..
Corn powder cornstarch..
.

AC and DC current the list is endless

Cartridge bullets.
Fork and Spoon plunger bowl and plate

Square and Spade shovel scoop shovel
Kitchen broom and push broom.
The basic mop and bucket..
Again the list is endless

Rope twine they still use the same equipment they do when they first started making it

Charcoal and Hibachi BBQ hell even charcoal itself has not really changed barrels for aging whiskey..
Lol.. Tom this should keep you busy for a while.. and if I might add I haven't seen a poem form you for some time.. just saying

Yes, but not all rope is made of hemp or is twine. It has succumbed to technology and is not only available in its pristine form. Think Nylon or carbon fiber.

Sure different manufacturing techniques different synthetics but you can still buy ship rope from the way it was made it originally

Think Activated Charcoal. Technology even changed charcoal.

If I could write poetry I would probably already have found someone and not be here at all.

Salt water taffy haha

Thats is not the intent of the topic.

Technology that has not changed at all and only exists in its pristine form over time.

Lol..

.. yes but that would go to the thinking that I have lived more than one lifetime..lol.wink.