Do you have an old television or radio at home belonging to your grandparents? Or perhaps a microwave your parents bought decades ago? Are they still in working condition? As it turns out, a lot of people own electronic appliances from the 70s, 80s, and 90s that are somehow more sturdy and durable than newer models. And this fact was brought to the fore when Twitter user tatum commented on how older electronics tend to have more longevity.
2020 appliances: *break within 2 years*
1970s refrigerator: i will outlive u and everyone u love. i am eternal. i am time itself
— tatum (@50FirstTates) November 24, 2020
brand new sports car: *breaks down*
my 2003 honda accord: u do not own me. i own u. i will transport ur children and ur children’s children until i perish during the inevitable heat death of the universe
— tatum (@50FirstTates) November 24, 2020
Some people noted that this phenomenon might be due to ‘planned obsolescence’ and others shared pictures as well as the stories behind their old but still working appliances. Take a look.
that’s because the shit in the 70s is all built with solid state electronics instead of the more complicated boards that run appliances today.
— Antifa Logistics Officer 🌹 – BLACK LIVES MATTER (@jamesjhare) November 24, 2020
Y’all realize that’s on purpose, right? There’s even a word for it: planned obsolescence.
Capitalism at its finest.
— fortressofmemes (@fortressofmemes) November 24, 2020
Planned obsolescence. pic.twitter.com/1fgDfelfYH
— AltWriteGrammarNazi (@AltWrtGrmmrNzi) November 25, 2020
So fucking true. My #1 pet peeve: We are drowning in cheap crap.
— Allison Burnett (@Allison_Burnett) November 24, 2020
Flip phone: you dropped me in the street, it’s all right; you laundered me, it’s all right
Smartphone: if I do not have a case and a screen protector and a pony I will die
— eat the rich, wash your hands, put your mask on (@NYCScribbler) November 25, 2020
My mother bought this microwave about 40 years ago, shortly after they first came out. It has already outlived her. It is a gigantic 2 feet wide, foot and half deep, counter consuming monster, but I refuse to part with it because a new one would break in a year or two. pic.twitter.com/T6xAVcx7pC
— Julie H (@julfromatl) November 25, 2020
My 1949 Roper Stove, original unrestored and I’m only the 2nd owner pic.twitter.com/66Y4vhhrYZ
— Joe W (@joewittebrood) November 24, 2020
I have a waffle iron that my dad bought when my mom was craving waffles while she was pregnant with my older brother in 1954. Still works, is stylish as heck, has a Bakelite handle, the “your waffles are ready” light still works, and it still makes the best waffles.
— Daisy McDonald (@daisy_mcdonald) November 25, 2020
This stove was from my mother-in-law, she got it as a wedding gift in 1980, and now she gave it to me as a gift and it works perfectly in addition to being stylish pic.twitter.com/QR5aZ1Ps3w
— Carol (@blackphilipeta) November 25, 2020
I have my mom’s 50-year-old “harvest gold” Sunbeam Mixmaster hand mixer. It looks exactly like this one. I’ll be using it on Thursday to make whipped cream for our pecan pie. I’ve always just assumed it will outlast me. pic.twitter.com/cUVDnvR2CX
— unmikely (@Unmikely) November 25, 2020
My grandma has this electrolux vacuum from the 60s, somehow still functional pic.twitter.com/6v7wY4MrLu
— Student Doc Jane Doe (@JaneDoeFutureMD) November 25, 2020
This Norge refrigerator from 1958 is still working perfectly pic.twitter.com/xowlKFqm0n
— Wozzy Wes (@bsoxfan034) November 25, 2020
Do you agree that newer electronic models break quite easily and quickly? Tell us.