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| Why keep an ancient appliance? | Why keep an ancient appliance? |
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| After a national search, Digital UK claims to have found the oldest working television, made in 1936. But in a culture that sees everything as disposable, what makes us hold on to our appliances? | After a national search, Digital UK claims to have found the oldest working television, made in 1936. But in a culture that sees everything as disposable, what makes us hold on to our appliances? |
| OLDEST WORKING TV SET 1936 Marconiphone 702Cost 60 guineas when new12-inch black and white screenCathode ray tube takes up rest of cabinetDates from time of first BBC television broadcast | OLDEST WORKING TV SET 1936 Marconiphone 702Cost 60 guineas when new12-inch black and white screenCathode ray tube takes up rest of cabinetDates from time of first BBC television broadcast |
| With its walnut veneer and Art Deco inlays, this 73-year-old television set was designed to be more than an appliance - it had to be an attractive piece of furniture to justify the space it took up, and its eye-watering price tag of 60 guineas (about £11,000 today). | With its walnut veneer and Art Deco inlays, this 73-year-old television set was designed to be more than an appliance - it had to be an attractive piece of furniture to justify the space it took up, and its eye-watering price tag of 60 guineas (about £11,000 today). |
| Nor would its proud owners be able to spend all day glued to the box - back then, there was one channel, and two hours of programming a day. | Nor would its proud owners be able to spend all day glued to the box - back then, there was one channel, and two hours of programming a day. |
| But it was built to last and still works today, thanks in part to some jiggery-pokery with digital converters. | But it was built to last and still works today, thanks in part to some jiggery-pokery with digital converters. |
| And now it has been named the oldest working TV set in the UK, after stiff competition from hundreds of entrants in a nationwide search by the National Media Museum and Digital UK. | And now it has been named the oldest working TV set in the UK, after stiff competition from hundreds of entrants in a nationwide search by the National Media Museum and Digital UK. |
| Searches for the oldest TV, fridge, toaster, microwave, vacuum cleaner - delete as appropriate - typically throw up many challengers. | Searches for the oldest TV, fridge, toaster, microwave, vacuum cleaner - delete as appropriate - typically throw up many challengers. |
| So why do people hang on to ancient appliances for so long? | So why do people hang on to ancient appliances for so long? |
| It's definitely not because they're cheap to run. Older models drain energy faster than anything on the market today. And repairs are likely to be more expensive than the cost of a modern replacement. | It's definitely not because they're cheap to run. Older models drain energy faster than anything on the market today. And repairs are likely to be more expensive than the cost of a modern replacement. |
| No, it's down to something more important - loyalty. | No, it's down to something more important - loyalty. |
| Frederick Shepherd, of Cheltenham, bought his microwave in the 1960s when these were billed as "life-changing" additions to the kitchen. | Frederick Shepherd, of Cheltenham, bought his microwave in the 1960s when these were billed as "life-changing" additions to the kitchen. |
| After four decades and 150,000 meals, he claims it's the oldest in Britain still in use. | After four decades and 150,000 meals, he claims it's the oldest in Britain still in use. |
| "I use it to warm up my baked beans, and it warms my Horlicks nicely before bed," says the pensioner. | "I use it to warm up my baked beans, and it warms my Horlicks nicely before bed," says the pensioner. |
| Demonstrating a 1960s microwave | Demonstrating a 1960s microwave |
| "We hang on to it because it's still going. Only on the day it packs in will I replace it." | "We hang on to it because it's still going. Only on the day it packs in will I replace it." |
| When Mr Shepherd bought his microwave, there were so few sold, the shop assistants needed demonstration sessions from the manufacturer. | When Mr Shepherd bought his microwave, there were so few sold, the shop assistants needed demonstration sessions from the manufacturer. |
| It cost him "a small fortune" at £250 - about £3,000 in today's money - but Mr Shepherd has got more than his money's worth. | It cost him "a small fortune" at £250 - about £3,000 in today's money - but Mr Shepherd has got more than his money's worth. |
| "We've only had to fix the bulb once about five years ago - that's not bad." | "We've only had to fix the bulb once about five years ago - that's not bad." |
| Then there are the memories it evokes. | Then there are the memories it evokes. |
| "[My wife] Francis used to cook the Christmas puddings in it, and would make food in it for the kids. It brings back some good memories." | "[My wife] Francis used to cook the Christmas puddings in it, and would make food in it for the kids. It brings back some good memories." |
| Old faithful | Old faithful |
| Mr Shepherd's loyalty is not that unusual. Among claimants to the various other oldest appliance titles are: | Mr Shepherd's loyalty is not that unusual. Among claimants to the various other oldest appliance titles are: |
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| Not bad, when a study by the National Association of Home Builders found you can only expect your gas cooker to last 15 years, clothes dryers and refrigerators for about 13, and dishwashers and microwave ovens for nine years. | Not bad, when a study by the National Association of Home Builders found you can only expect your gas cooker to last 15 years, clothes dryers and refrigerators for about 13, and dishwashers and microwave ovens for nine years. |
| This 1950s turntable would today be highly sought-after by collectors | This 1950s turntable would today be highly sought-after by collectors |
| It is an accepted rule that older appliances are better quality, says Richard Elliott, professor of marketing and consumer research at Bath university. | It is an accepted rule that older appliances are better quality, says Richard Elliott, professor of marketing and consumer research at Bath university. |
| Manufacturers no longer build to last, so while modern devices fall into disrepair, older models continue to function beyond expectation. | Manufacturers no longer build to last, so while modern devices fall into disrepair, older models continue to function beyond expectation. |
| And while durability is an inevitable factor in keeping a product, its associated memories are more important, says Mr Elliott. | And while durability is an inevitable factor in keeping a product, its associated memories are more important, says Mr Elliott. |
| "There is a lot of evidence that a particular item, whether a kitchen utensil or a toaster, is a carrier of meaning." | "There is a lot of evidence that a particular item, whether a kitchen utensil or a toaster, is a carrier of meaning." |
| Not only does the owner trust its performance, it reminds them of the family member from whom they inherited it, or the occasion on which it was given as a present. | Not only does the owner trust its performance, it reminds them of the family member from whom they inherited it, or the occasion on which it was given as a present. |
| Perhaps it was a wedding gift | Perhaps it was a wedding gift |
| "Having a vintage piece may look like it's for fashion," says Mr Elliot. "But it's more likely to be an aunt or grandparent who owned it before." | "Having a vintage piece may look like it's for fashion," says Mr Elliot. "But it's more likely to be an aunt or grandparent who owned it before." |
| He himself is the proud owner of an old fashioned measuring cup, kept as a reminder of his grandmother. | He himself is the proud owner of an old fashioned measuring cup, kept as a reminder of his grandmother. |
| "It's still in ounces. It's one of the few things I have of hers, and I remember her using it every day." | "It's still in ounces. It's one of the few things I have of hers, and I remember her using it every day." |