This is why we can't have nice things
TLDRThe script discusses how the major lightbulb manufacturers secretly colluded in the 1920s to reduce the lifespan of lightbulbs in order to increase sales. It also explores the concept of 'planned obsolescence' and how companies intentionally make inferior products so that consumers have to keep replacing them. The script touches on the history of the lightbulb and early efforts to create long-lasting versions, the formation of the Phoebus Cartel which capped lightbulb lifespans, and modern examples like smartphones designed not to last. It advocates for right-to-repair legislation to counter built-in obsolescence.
Takeaways
- 😲 The longest continuously running lightbulb has been on for over 120 years
- 😡 Lightbulb companies used to secretly make bulbs that don't last to sell more bulbs
- 👷♂️ Planned obsolescence is intentionally making products not last as long
- 📉 Companies use planned obsolescence to increase sales by forcing re-purchases
- 🚘 Car companies started frequently updating styles to make old models seem outdated
- 📱 Apple iPhones exemplify planned obsolescence with annual styling updates
- 💡 LED lightbulbs can last 10-50 times longer than old incandescent bulbs
- 🔒 NordVPN lets you change region to access Netflix libraries abroad
- ⏳ Recycling old styles creates false sense products are obsolete
- $$$ Planned obsolescence boosts sales but hurts consumers
Q & A
What was the Phoebus Cartel and what was its purpose?
-The Phoebus Cartel was a secret meeting in 1924 of major light bulb manufacturers to control the lifespan and supply of light bulbs globally. Their purpose was to artificially limit light bulb lifespans to 1,000 hours in order to increase sales.
How did the Phoebus Cartel enforce the 1,000 hour light bulb lifespan?
-They required manufacturers to submit sample bulbs for testing. Companies were fined if bulbs tested lasted significantly longer than 1,000 hours. Fines increased based on how much longer test bulbs lasted.
How long do LED light bulbs last compared to old incandescent bulbs?
-LED bulbs can last 10-50 times longer than old incandescent bulbs, which typically lasted only 1,000-2,000 hours. Some LEDs last over 50,000 hours, meaning you are more likely to sell your house than replace the bulb.
How did planned obsolescence help pull America out of the Great Depression?
-In the 1930s, planned obsolescence was proposed as a way to create jobs and economic growth by ensuring products break down faster. The goal was to stimulate consumer demand through frequent replacement purchases.
What everyday product did DuPont help make obsolete annually starting in 1924?
-In 1924, DuPont took over General Motors and began painting new model cars different colors every year. This made previous year's models seem instantly outdated, encouraging more new car sales.
What are right to repair laws?
-Right to repair laws aim to reduce planned obsolescence by making it easier for consumers to repair products themselves or through third-parties. Manufacturers would have to provide repair manuals, parts availability, etc.
How long do Apple iPhones typically last before needing to be replaced?
-Since the 1950s, average car ownership span dropped from 5 years to only 2 years. GM executive Harley Earl aimed for 1 year, saying "When it is one year, we will have a perfect score."
How does the fashion industry relate to planned obsolescence?
-The fashion industry was an inspiration for automakers and tech companies to use new styles and colors to make previous models seem instantly outdated and undesirable.
What was the first viral YouTube video?
-In 2003, Casey Neistat's video about Apple refusing to replace his iPod battery affordably went viral. It highlighted issues with planned obsolescence.
How much energy do LED light bulbs save versus old incandescent bulbs?
-LED bulbs use around 10% of the energy of an equivalent incandescent bulb. They convert energy to light far more efficiently, wasting little as heat.
Outlines
😃 Introduction and Background Information
The first paragraph provides background information on the long-lasting lightbulb at the Livermore Fire Station and introduces the idea that lightbulb companies may have conspired to make bulbs with shorter lifespans in the past. It discusses the early history of lightbulb development and improvements in lifespan over time.
😠 The Phoebus Cartel and Planned Obsolescence
The second paragraph explains the secret 1924 meeting that led to the creation of the Phoebus Cartel, where lightbulb companies agreed to artificially limit bulb lifespans to 1,000 hours. It provides evidence that companies intentionally made worse products to increase sales, known as planned obsolescence, a tactic still used today.
😕 Public Perception and Economic Impacts
The third paragraph examines whether the public knew about the cartel and explores economic arguments in favor of planned obsolescence. It mentions Great Depression ideas about regulating product lifespans to spur economic growth and discusses modern examples like Apple's iPhone battery controversy.
😃 The Cartel's Demise and Lessons Learned
The fourth paragraph explains why the Phoebus Cartel fell apart by the 1930s and how its methods continued to impact manufacturing. It ends on a positive note about LED lightbulb technological innovation that has resulted in longer-lasting bulbs, essentially creating an everlasting lightbulb.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡light bulb
💡planned obsolescence
💡Phoebus Cartel
💡filament
💡General Motors
💡iPhone
💡fashion
💡right to repair
💡LED bulb
💡technological obsolescence
Highlights
Light bulbs were lasting too long, eating into sales.
In 1924, light bulb companies formed the Phoebus Cartel to control the world supply and reduce bulb lifetimes to 1000 hours.
The Phoebus Cartel fined companies if their bulbs lasted significantly longer than 1000 hours.
Engineers who previously extended bulb lifetimes now had to find ways to decrease it.
The longest lasting light bulb has been on over 120 years because it was made before the Phoebus Cartel limited lifetimes.
Many companies still intentionally shorten product lifetimes in a practice known as planned obsolescence.
Bernard London proposed mandatory planned obsolescence to lift America out of the Great Depression by making people buy more.
The 1951 film "The Man in the White Suit" showed industry teaming up to destroy an invention of a perfect, durable fiber.
When nylon stockings were too durable, companies instructed scientists to weaken them so people would have to buy more.
Proposed right to repair laws may force companies to make products easier to fix, combating planned obsolescence.
Car companies in the 1920s pioneered tricks like annual style changes to make old models seem outdated.
GM's Harley Earl aimed for a "perfect score" of cars only lasting one year before perceived as obsolete.
Apple has copied the planned obsolescence playbook from fashion, with annual style and color changes.
LED light bulbs finally achieve essentially everlasting light bulbs, using 10 times less energy.
We should only support technological obsolescence which brings improvement, not artificial yearly changes.
Transcripts
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