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Why keep an ancient appliance? Why keep an ancient appliance?
(2 days later)
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 UK television discoveredOLDEST 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 UK television discovered
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.
Joan Archer's Kenwood Chef (top) and accompanying recipe book
Joan Archer bought her Kenwood Chef food mixer in the early 1960s and still uses it today for mixing stuffing, whenever she's preparing a roast chicken.Joan Archer bought her Kenwood Chef food mixer in the early 1960s and still uses it today for mixing stuffing, whenever she's preparing a roast chicken.
Old faithful
"I was first married in 1963 and either bought it that year, or the year after. It was from the Chorltons mail order catalogue, which eventually became Littlewoods, and if I remember correctly it cost me about £30.""I was first married in 1963 and either bought it that year, or the year after. It was from the Chorltons mail order catalogue, which eventually became Littlewoods, and if I remember correctly it cost me about £30."
A 1950s forerunner to Mrs Archer's Kenwood Chef
The mixer became a trusted friend as Mrs Archer, 66 in August, turned out cakes and meals for her four children.The mixer became a trusted friend as Mrs Archer, 66 in August, turned out cakes and meals for her four children.
"It's never broken down. I've never needed a repair man or anything," she says, believing that build standards for such appliances have slackened over the years."It's never broken down. I've never needed a repair man or anything," she says, believing that build standards for such appliances have slackened over the years.
"I don't think more modern appliances are made to last. They don't seem to have the robustness about them," says Mrs Archer, or Jameston in Pembrokeshire. "I don't think more modern appliances are made to last. They don't seem to have the robustness about them," says Mrs Archer, of Jameston in Pembrokeshire.
Her loyalty is not that unusual. Among claimants to the various other oldest appliance titles are:Her loyalty is not that unusual. Among claimants to the various other oldest appliance titles are:
  • 1931 fridge, bought second-hand for £7.50 in 1969 by Maureen and Alan Mace, of County Durham
  • A 1963 washing machine, bought for £60 by Albert and Mabel Fletcher
  • And a 1950s vacuum cleaner
  • 1931 fridge, bought second-hand for £7.50 in 1969 by Maureen and Alan Mace, of County Durham
  • A 1963 washing machine, bought for £60 by Albert and Mabel Fletcher
  • And a 1950s vacuum cleaner
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 collectorsThis 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.
"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."
Got an ancient but still working appliance yourself? Send us a photo and some details to yourpics@bbc.co.uk with the subject line "OLD APPLIANCE". Or MMS 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100100 (Int MMS). Click here for terms and conditions.Got an ancient but still working appliance yourself? Send us a photo and some details to yourpics@bbc.co.uk with the subject line "OLD APPLIANCE". Or MMS 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100100 (Int MMS). Click here for terms and conditions.