New KC museum wants to show how good modern tech is — by looking at the past

Jon Trozzolo’s collection of devices and technology began in 1983. Now, the collection is publicly available at the Media Tech Museum, which opened in downtown Kansas City on Monday.

With telegraph machines and telephones from the 1800s, inventions from Thomas Edison’s company, 20th-century TVs and computers and more, the museum covers how technology in media evolved. The museum is located at 1600 Baltimore Ave. in the Easterseals building.

“I want people to be inspired by where technology has been, where we are, and where technology is going,” Trozzolo said.

Electronics have developed to make communication more convenient and effective, he said.

“I want people to feel like they have it really good now, the convenience of the cell phone…,” he said. “It’s all in one. I want to blow their minds to see how simplistic their electronic life is.”

Walking through the museum, visitors can slip through the different sections, each dedicated to a different type of technologies: telephones, jukeboxes, lights, microphones, cameras, radios and speakers. There’s an interactive element in the microphone exhibit, placing visitors in a recording studio simulation. The collection ranges from vintage radios with bright colors to phones built to resemble characters like Snoopy, Goofy and more.

Trozzolo became interested in technology as a kid, and in college began his collection.

“I found at an early age the fascination of these devices, how they’re used, who uses them, and how beneficial they are in our lives,” he said.

Earning two degrees in communication arts and business from Park University, Trozzolo has worked as a radio announcer, a TV, film and video photographer, editor and a film producer. His fixation on tech helped him in his career path; his collection grew tremendously throughout.

“I started collecting these things, electronics, because I was interested in shooting on video,” Trozzolo said. “I started to buy as much as I possibly could, and then I got overwhelmed because this technology was becoming outdated.”

While learning and using cameras, radio and other technology in school and work, his collecting was becoming outpaced by the rate at which technology was changing. This inspired him to create the Media Tech Museum.

“I thought, what a great idea it is to educate people on these devices to see how they evolved, how they developed, how they advanced in technology as far as a better quality picture, a better quality sound,” Trozzolo said.

The museum is mostly from his own collection. Scott Duncan, an engineer with NBC Network, has a media technology collection, too. He lent a hand by curating the museum and loaning some of his items to be displayed.

“When people come into the Media Tech Museum, their minds are going to be blown; I’m in the mind-blowing business,” said Trozzolo. “I want people to come away just in awe of the amount of devices we have and the manner in which these devices are displayed.”

Trozzolo hopes the Media Tech Museum becomes a field trip destination for surrounding schools and colleges.

“I truly believe that the Media Tech Museum would be a great destination for them to learn,” he said.

The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular admission is $15. Admission for students, seniors and youth is $10. Veterans can gain entry for $5.