Obsolescence Is Perpetuated By Design - 1659 Words

In the past, products were made to last. Some people still have old watches and record players that have been passed down through generations, which remain in working condition. In reality, most items, which were made prior to World War I, have been found to be long lasting, durable, and reliable. In contemporary society we are faced with a dilemma, due to the fact that if all products were built to last as they were previously, various industries would shut down, and consequently, millions of workers would become unemployed. Furthermore, the overall goal and strategy of obsolescence is to motivate the population to buy more, and additionally, be occupied within a perpetual cycle of consumerism – by purchasing and replacing products in order to keep respective industries open, and to keep products flying off the shelves. The following essay will exploit exactly how obsolescence is perpetuated by design, from the past through to the present. The birth of obsolescence occurred in the early 20th century, with Bernard London’s acclaimed pamphlet â€Å"Ending the Depression Through Planned Obsolescence†. The essence of London’s thesis was to essentially advocate for a plan in order to stimulate consumerism and productivism in the United States. As a result, the American Government imposed obsolescence upon consumer articles, in order to perpetuate the population’s consumption of products . This movement is strongly affiliated with the infamous â€Å"Light Bulb Conspiracy† – a commercialShow MoreRelatedObsolescence And Technology Has Been A Major Driver Of Human History1749 Words   |  7 PagesObsolescence and Technology Obsolescence has been an issue for much of human history, largely due to the constant drive to innovate. Constantly advancing modern technology has been a major driver of human history, whether we look at ancient tools used by prehistoric human ancestors or at the constant advancement of the microprocessor. 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