Readers reveal their ancient appliances still work after decades

The article compiles reader anecdotes about household appliances that have remained functional for decades, often outlasting modern counterparts. These stories were prompted by a news report about a couple in Gloucestershire, UK, who still use an Electrolux refrigerator from the 1930s. The readers' accounts span various countries, including Canada, the UK, and New Zealand, and cover items such as alarm clocks, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, toasters, fans, and juicers.

One reader, Heather Sebastian, a retired teacher from Vancouver, Canada, owns a 1974 Janex Batman and Robin wind-up talking alarm clock that still works after more than 50 years. Another reader, Alick, a 62-year-old environmental health officer from Berkshire, UK, bought a secondhand Electrolux vacuum cleaner 46 years ago; it has never broken, though the plastic bowl was replaced about 20 years ago. A fridge from the 1970s, a Norge Customatic, was included with a summer cottage purchase in 1975 and is still in use, with the owner expecting it to last another 70 years.

A Tefal toaster, bought by a reader when they were 14, has been used almost daily since then and still sits by their bedside. A Sanyo rotating fan from 1979 works perfectly and has never needed repair. A reader from New Zealand uses a VHS player that they emigrated with in 2000, connecting it to satellite TV with a device. Another reader inherited a Juicit citrus juicer from their mother and uses it regularly to make lemonade from their backyard lemon and lime tree.

The common thread is the remarkable longevity and reliability of these older appliances, which contrasts with the perceived shorter lifespan of modern devices. The readers express admiration for the durability of these items, with one noting that no modern technology is built to last like that. The stories highlight a cultural shift towards disposability and planned obsolescence, as these vintage appliances continue to function decades after their purchase, often with minimal maintenance.