Forgotten & Found - 'Barnstorming' Activision Patch photo

[+Spriggy]

G'day,

 

New to the site/forum, hence just starting to poke my ugly head up outta the old Atari sand I thought this little story would be a good ice-breaker.

 

I cannot pin down the exact year, however I'm estimating about 20 years ago. I visited the oldies house, and for what ever reason was rummaging through some of my old things. I stumbled on my first, early 80s, Kodak 'Instamatic' Camera. To my surprise, it still had duel canister kodak film inside. It goes without saying, I promptly had the film processed. I recall the processing place stated a number of the photos were cactus, however they were able to retrieve 8 or 9 shots. All had a purple hue, with varying levels of clarity. However, 1 photo stood out straight away. A purple hue colored, hazy photo of a CRT TV, showing what appears to be Atari's 'Barnstorming'.

 

I'm guessing I was between 10 and 12 years old. I was smashing Atari's 'Barnstorming' .. and of course I wanted one of the hallowed Activision Patches. Eventually, I got myself down under the 33.3 seconds (Game 1) time. I took a photo of the screen, with the intent of mailing it off for my patch. And then .... I cannot recall anything after that. Years later, as aforementioned, I stumble on my old camera ... and the photo rears its head. Obviously, I never developed the film and never sent it in. The End. No Patch ... No juvenile Glory

 

These photos get put into the usual box of mixed photos, the Atari 2600 goes in the shed in its case and is pretty much forgotten. Until about 3 weeks ago. I stumble on the Atari, including my old MegaDrive and PS1 stuff, in boxes in the shed. Out they come. They all have a shower and have their teeth brushed ... and are now set-up in a 'retro' corner in my gamesroom. The Atari memories are flooding back .. and now I'm hooked again. Early days yet, but the Atari is getting a make-over and the carts are coming hard and strong .. with some stonking beverage driven 2600 sessions in sight

 

I then remember the photos I stumbled on those 20 years ago. I rifle through a few boxes of mixed photos, luckily all on one book shelf, and find the 9 photos. I scan them .. and only today ... give the 'Barnstorming' snapshot i very quick tweak on the PC. Although its blury, you can make out the 33.15 second time. I've attached a before and after shot for interest.

 

If only ......

 

Spriggy

Edited March 5, 2017 by spriggamortis

[Shawn]

Cool story. Welcome to AA.

[Machine]

That is crazy. At least you Activision didn't drop the ball.

[StanJr]

Welcome and thanks for sharing your story! Most of us old timers here have stories much like yours and it's always fun to add new ones to the lore! Well done on the Barnstorming patch, even if it is in spirit alone!

 

[+Spriggy]

Cheers ladies

 

Only just picked up a copy of Barnstorming last week. Gave it a bash last night after work. Wow! My 45 year old yeast damaged brain still remembered my Game 1 pattern I used back when..... for about the first 5 or 6 Barns .. and pretty much immediately! Also pulled a near flat 33sec eventually. My reunion with this old lady just keeps gets better!

Edited March 5, 2017 by spriggamortis

[AtariBuff]

Oh, those fabulous childhood memories. Wish I had some personal photos from my beginning of the Atari Age.