Mike Hanlon

Mike grew up thinking he would become a mathematician, accidentally started motorcycle racing, got a job writing road tests for a motorcycle magazine while at university, and became a writer. As a traveling photojournalist during his early career, his work was published in a dozen languages across 20+ countries. He went on to edit or manage over 75 print publications, with target audiences ranging from pensioners to plumbers, many different sports, many car and motorcycle magazines, with many more in the fields of communication - narrow subject magazines on topics such as advertising, marketing, visual communications, design, presentation and direct marketing. Then came the internet and Mike managed internet projects for Australia's largest multimedia company, Telstra.com.au (Australia's largest Telco), Seek.com.au (Australia's largest employment site), top100.com.au, hitwise.com, and a dozen other internet start-ups before founding New Atlas in 2002. Now he writes and thinks.

Featured

Holiday Destinations

Last chance to see: Paddling through time on the Mekong

New Atlas' Mike Hanlon recently spent several nights in the villages of the remote hill tribes of northern Laos. The villages are entirely self-sustaining, generate their own electricity, and life has changed very little in thousands of years.
Collectibles

Top 100 highlights of the 2021 auction year

The 2021 auction market was quite extraordinary, with unprecedented levels of participation and sales. From cars to colt revolvers to multi-million-dollar NFTs, this sweeping look at the highlights is full of fascinating tales and astonishing prices.
Collectibles

Rare Wozniak-Jobs "blue box" phone phreaking device could fetch $100,000

One of the original circuit boards hand-made by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak for the first iteration "blue box" phone phreaking device in 1972 is going to auction, with an estimate of US$8,000 to $12,000.
Motorcycles

In Photos: 2017 China International Motorcycle Fair

China's government is legislating to ensure the electrification of private transport in China and motorcycles will be at the forefront of that massive change. We attended the 2017 China International Motorcycle Fair in Chongqing last week and saw the beginnings of the revolution.
Collectibles

The highlights of the 2021 science, sci-fi and technology auction year

This is the second part of our overview of the 2021 auction year – a year where investors channeled more of their wealth into “investments of passion” than ever before. It covers the 150 science, sci-fi and technology artifacts that sold for more than $100,000
Robotics

Robby the Robot sells for $5.3 million – second most valuable movie prop in history

It is a sign of the times that one of the best known robots in movie history should become one of the most expensive movie props ever sold. Now that robots have progressed from sci-fi to reality, it isn't surprising that Robby the Robot should become one of the most iconic movie props in history.
Automotive

Automobili Pininfarina - the full story behind the 2000 hp hypercar and the making of a new brand

We speak with Automobili Pininfarina’s CEO, Michael Perschke and Chief Design Officer, Luca Borgogno at the American brand launch in New York, gaining unprecedented access to the company’s philosophy and product road map of sustainable luxury electric cars.
Automotive

Pictorial: The Concours of Elegance for Children's Cars

Children's Cars, both powered and pedal cars, are becoming collectors items that appreciate in value. The world’s first elite Junior Car Concours event took place last week as part of the world-renowned Concours of Elegance, staged at Hampton Court Palace in London.
Marine

Iguana's ingenious amphibious seven-seat cabriolet taxi

The Iguana amphibious seven-seat taxi incorporates the signature retractable caterpillar tracks, at the same time as adding an adjustable retractable hardtop and shock-mitigating seats to complete the most civilized amphibious vehicle on the planet.
Collectibles

Rare whisky is shaping as the perfect hedge in an economic downturn

Three bottles of whisky that had once sold for a world record price appeared at a Sotheby’s auction last Thursday, none of them near the current record, but all demonstrating that rare whisky is one of the most rewarding investments currently available.
The top 100 highlights of the 2020 science, sci-fi and technology auction year

New Atlas' annual auction round up of all things geeky is bigger than ever this year. From scientific manuscripts and natural history specimens to sci-fi and space memorabilia ... if it sold at auction anywhere in the world during 2020, it’ll be in here.
Science

The highlights of the 2019 science, sci-fi and technology auction year

Each January, we produce our highlights of the previous science and technology auction year. The result is a fascinating insight into the landmark books, manuscripts and artefacts of science, technology and science-fiction that come to market.