“With Coca Cola, for example, they said: Why should we use a glass that doesn't break? We make money with our glasses. […] The dealers said understandably: Who would saw off the branch he was sitting on?”
The amazing thing is how not only did a long lasting light bulb get designed early on, but that the later bulbs were designed to fail specifically after a given point (1000 hours). That's precision.
I also blame Edward Bernays, the father of consumerism/consumption.
I found this to be a great video discussing why lightbulbs are engineered the way they are. TLDR: reducing lifespan increases efficiency and light quality
I want to start a company that focuses on creating shit that lasts. Ain't nobody getting rich off of my company, but the people get goods that they'll never have to replace, basically. Sadly I've got ADD so this will never happen, I'm sorry y'all.