Retro Gear and the Mystery of Cables Melting Into Cases While in Storage

Retro computer collectors have long noticed a peculiar problem: cables stored pressed against plastic cases can leave permanent indents, as if they'd melted into the surface. According to Hackaday, this isn't actually melting, but the result of pressure, time, and chemical interaction between vintage cable coatings and plastic. The vinyl jacketing on old cables, combined with heat and humidity fluctuations, can soften the plastic just enough to deform permanently. For anyone preserving vintage gear, it's a reminder to manage cables carefully during storage—good spacing can prevent these marks from becoming a permanent fixture on your collection.

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