Programmed obsolescence is that strategy that some manufacturers develop so that a product ceases to be useful sooner than necessary. In this way they force users to renew their products more frequently.
Plainly speaking, it is a way to sell more, selling things that they know are going to break, moreover, they have designed to be broken soon.
Something similar happens in the world of fashion. "Fast fashion" could be considered the cousin sister of "scheduled obsolescence." Some big brands present collections every two weeks, leaving some garments with barely months of life behind or out of season.
In contrast to that idea, the "slow fashion" arises, which defends the opposite and that manufactures good quality garments, with awareness and designs simmered.
Two examples of programmed obsolescence
Light bulbs
At the beginning of the twentieth century, technological development around the world of electricity was boiling. It was getting manufactured light bulbs that came to have an immense lifespan.
In fact, today, there is a light bulb that has been on since 1901. It is in the Fire Station 6, in Livermore (California) and has a well-deserved recognition in the Guinness book of records as the longest bulb in the history.
Paradigm of programmed obsolescence, facts like this are rare because the industry reacted. In 1924 several companies of manufacture of electrical supplies joined for and signed the "Phoebus Pact" in which, under the assumption of guaranteeing a minimum of quality, they limited the useful life of the light bulbs to 1000 hours.
Today, there is no such thing as a similar pact. But curious stories are born like that of "the eternal bulb" by Benito Muros. Developed by a Catalan engineer who says it is a light bulb that lasts a lifetime and, apparently, has received only slamming doors from manufacturers and distributors.
Printers
The case of domestic printers is much more modern and sophisticated than the "Phoebus Pact" of light bulbs. It is one of those products on which the suspicion that its manufacturers are lovers of "programmed obsolescence" has always flown over.
For decades several users have denounced the strange circumstances in which their printing devices stopped working. It was discovered that some models had software installed that directly blocked the printer when a certain number of prints were met.
Some engineers developed small software to unlock that intentional lock and, surprise, they reprinted without problem.
Some consumer associations try to curb these practices. The French association Stop a Programmed Obsolescence (HOP) filed a complaint with the French prosecutor against some printer manufacturer companies such as HP, Canon, Brother and Epson.
Clothing and obsolescence
Clothing has also been a product in which techniques have been put in place to cause its programmed obsolescence, low quality fabrics have been designed and manufactured to increase the need for consumption.
But what is really worrying is the acceleration of the trend market. Studies show that big brands of "Fast fashion" present new collections every two weeks and this has created a society eager and eager for compulsive consumption.
There are some alternatives to this type of practice, and small brands that try to curb these habits.
A general review
We leave this report on the subject, if you have a moment take a look, it is something old but denounces a very current situation
