This information taken from wikipedia – (And other places) – Googled; Planned obsolescence + pasted some links and introduction paragraphs.
- QUOTE; – Planned obsolescence or built-in obsolescence is the process of a product becoming obsolete or non-functional after a certain period or amount of use in a way that is planned or designed by the manufacturer. Also known as “Designed to Fail”. Planned obsolescence has potential benefits for a producer because the product fails and the consumer is under pressure to purchase again, whether from the same manufacturer (a replacement part or a newer model), or from a competitor which might also rely on planned obsolescence. The purpose of planned obsolescence is to hide the real cost per use from the consumer, and charge a higher price than they would otherwise be willing to pay (or would be unwilling to spend all at once).
Planned obsolescence was first developed in the 1920s and 1930s when mass production had opened every minute aspect of the production process to exacting analysis.
MY CITATION: – for purposes of idenfiying a “Time” when obsolecence became fashionable, here is a link to one of google books By Giles Slade – Made to break: technology and obsolescence in America – On page 4, it says
– QUOTE; – But it was the electric starter in automobiles, introduced in 1913, that raised obsolesence to national prominence by rendering all previous cars obsolete. ~ blah ~ women hated hand cranking their cars and were greatly relieved when they could simply push a button on a newer model.
