Why our tech fails us: Learning from century-old light bulb that never goes out Our gadgets don’t get outdated; they are meant to turn obsolete. Updated: Jun 12, 2025 05:35 AM EST ...

Certified as the longest-burning lightbulb by Guinness World Records, the Centennial Bulb hangs from the ceiling of Livermore Fire Station No. 6 in the California Bay Area city.

Once upon a time, planned obsolescence referred to light bulbs burning out too soon and smartphones mysteriously slowing down after software updates. Now, the principle is being applied to humans.

Edison gifted a hand-made bulb to his good friend Henry Ford in 1929. That bulb is at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, but is not currently on display to the public. The first Edison ...

In the past, companies have used “planned obsolescence,” deliberately designing products with limited lifespans so that customers would have to buy more. From light bulbs engineered to burn ...

So he devised the concept of planned obsolescence, which continues to plague buyers of goods from smartphones to light bulbs to cars to this day. Fortunately, some manufacturers do better than others.

Imagine a light bulb that has been burning since 1901. Nestled in a quiet Californian fire station, the Centennial Light challenges today's disposable culture, offering a glimpse into a past where ...

EU’s Right to Repair Movement against Obsolescence By Benjamin Adjiovski - Monday, August 26, 2024 ...

"It all started in the '20s when they were doing this with light bulbs and cars," she says. "The quicker a product breaks, the sooner that person will have to replace it. It's always about money." ...