# The Oral History of the Retro Encabulator with Mike Kraft

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2021-10-19
- Length: 35m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-10-19-the-oral-history-of-the-retro-encabulator-with-mike-kraft
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Mike Kraft, the voice talent behind the viral 'Retro Encabulator' spoof, recounts the video's origin from a 1944 technical joke and his career transition from trades to industrial voice acting for companies like Allen-Bradley and Rockwell Automation. He discusses the evolution of industrial communication, noting the decline of the 'announcer style' in favor of authentic subject matter experts, and shares advice on handling rejection in the acting industry. Kraft also reveals details about his past as the 'Silver Man' spokesperson and his current focus on voiceover work.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-10-19-the-oral-history-of-the-retro-encabulator-with-mike-kraft#t=0) Introduction and Retro Encabulator IPA
- [5:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-10-19-the-oral-history-of-the-retro-encabulator-with-mike-kraft#t=318) Mike Kraft's Career Origins
- [9:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-10-19-the-oral-history-of-the-retro-encabulator-with-mike-kraft#t=577) The Origin of the Retro Encabulator Video
- [13:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-10-19-the-oral-history-of-the-retro-encabulator-with-mike-kraft#t=793) Fame and Recognition
- [14:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-10-19-the-oral-history-of-the-retro-encabulator-with-mike-kraft#t=881) Reciting the Script and Advice on Communication
- [25:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-10-19-the-oral-history-of-the-retro-encabulator-with-mike-kraft#t=1550) The Silver Man and Career Advice
- [28:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-10-19-the-oral-history-of-the-retro-encabulator-with-mike-kraft#t=1711) Future Projects and Outro

## Topics

- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Retro Encabulator (product)
- Rockwell Automation (company)
- Allen-Bradley (company)
- Great Lakes Brewing Company (company)
- Lowe's (company)
- Silver Man (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [399: Hey, What's Going On?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-01-21-399-hey-whats-going-on) (Embedded.fm)
- [300! 6 years later, Adam and Ted record together from Ted's studio in NJ](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-01-01-300-6-years-later-adam-and-ted-record-together-from-teds-studio-in-nj) (People of Packaging)
- [An Interview with Simone Giertz](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-01-13-an-interview-with-simone-giertz) (The Amp Hour)
- [S2E41 The Hacksmith | James Hobson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-09-24-s2e41-the-hacksmith-james-hobson) (Being an Engineer)
- [060 - The Brie List](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2022-08-13-060-the-brie-list) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-10-19-the-oral-history-of-the-retro-encabulator-with-mike-kraft. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Manufacturing Happy Hour.