I never cared for downtube shifters either. I like to go fast. Especially on twisty turns. And the times I want to shift seem to coincide with the times I should be keeping both hands on the bars.
But yeah, I can see where some today will wonder about what those are. I was watching a very old TV show the other day. And was wondering if some youth will be puzzled by the device sitting on the side table or hanging on the wall with the long curly cord attached. <grin>