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Planned Obsolescence : Throughline Have you ever wondered why your smartphone or toaster oven doesn't seem to last very long, even though technology is becoming better and better? In a special collaboration with Planet Money, we bring you the history of planned obsolescence – the idea that products are designed to break.

Throughline

Planned Obsolescence

Planned Obsolescence

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  • Prior to 1924, the average lifespan of a light bulb was around 2,500 hours. But in December 1924, a global organization known as the Phoebus Cartel hatched a secret plan to increase sales by bringing the average bulb's lifespan down to just 1,000 hours. This began one of the first known examples of planned obsolescence.
    Prior to 1924, the average lifespan of a light bulb was around 2,500 hours. But in December 1924, a global organization known as the Phoebus Cartel hatched a secret plan to increase sales by bringing the average bulb's lifespan down to just 1,000 hours. This began one of the first known examples of planned obsolescence.
    Al Barry/Three Lions/Getty Images
  • American motor vehicle industry pioneer Henry Ford (1863 - 1947) standing next to the first and the ten millionth Model-T Ford. Ford was able to mass produce the Model-T and have increasing profits year after year, despite not raising prices drastically.
    American motor vehicle industry pioneer Henry Ford (1863 - 1947) standing next to the first and the ten millionth Model-T Ford. Ford was able to mass produce the Model-T and have increasing profits year after year, despite not raising prices drastically.
    Keystone Features/Getty Images
  • Designer Harley J. Earl of General Motors examining a full scale model of the Buick Le Sabre, a prototype sports car which was used to test design features for other vehicles. Earl is credited for helping to design a variety of cars in stylish new colors that would change every year, which would later be known as the annual model change.
    Designer Harley J. Earl of General Motors examining a full scale model of the Buick Le Sabre, a prototype sports car which was used to test design features for other vehicles. Earl is credited for helping to design a variety of cars in stylish new colors that would change every year, which would later be known as the annual model change.
    Keystone/Getty Images

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Have you ever wondered why your smartphone or toaster oven doesn't seem to last very long, even though technology is becoming better and better? This week, in a special collaboration with Planet Money, we bring you the history of planned obsolescence – the idea that products are designed to break.

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