Okay, this is a weird blog post. But it is what it is.
In the photo
below, there are three towels.
Towel number
one, the pink one is 52 years old. I know how old it is because my mother
bought it before she was married—my parents have been married for 51 years.
Please notice, it has no pulls, no frays, no stains and has retained its color
despite 52 years of use.
Towel number
two. This one is six years old. It is mildly beige. It used to be a creamy light brown. It didn’t used to be “ruched” in the middle—that’s from
uneven shrinkage. It is completely frayed and worn out.
Towel number
three is three weeks old. It still has its original color. (Thank goodness.)
But it already has pulls on the terrycloth--though you can't see them in this photo.
I want towels
from 50 years ago. I’ll pay three times as much as they currently cost if they
last 50 years. Heck, I’ll pay five times as much and still save money. (Though
I would not buy pink.)
So, in spite of modern advancements and computerized weaving, they can’t make a towel like they did fifty
years ago. Okay, maybe they can. They just don’t want to. Because I wouldn’t
buy new towels if the old ones were still good. Pink or no pink. Which explains
why I’m the owner of towels that are 52 years old. (And in case you’re
wondering, the washcloths are in good shape too.)
Planned obsolescence promotes the economy.
ReplyDeleteFor sure, they don't make 'em like they used to. We still have most of the towels from when we got married 45 years ago, and they look as good, if not better, than our more recent purchases. Rollin is absolutely right. Most products today come with a built-in obsolescence to promote a throw-away society.
ReplyDeleteIt just goes to show that they don't make things like they used to, sadly.
ReplyDeleteSo so true. I have some towels that my mom added a sort of applique to (butterflies! it was the 70s!) for my late grandmother. They must be 40 years old. I don't use them as everyday towels, but still.
ReplyDeleteIn contrast, I have a dishwasher that we bought new and it never really worked. Ug. Makes me ill.
I realized a while back that manufacturers don't make things the way they used to for a reason. If they last too long, it simply means we won't be running out to buy replacements any time soon.
ReplyDeleteI jump at the chance to get hand-me-down kitchen items from my grandparents. Things were better back then (at least as far as "standing the test of time")
ReplyDelete