Lightbulb Conspiracy
Link: http://blip.tv/lionofjuda1/the-lightbulb-conspiracy-5846929
Planned obsolescence is a business strategy in which the obsolescence of a product is planned and built into it from its conception. This is done so that in future the consumer feels a need to purchase new products and services that the manufacturer brings out as replacements for the old ones. Consumers sometimes see planned obsolescence as a sinister plot by manufacturers to fleece them. But Philip Kotler, a marketing guru says: “Much so-called planned obsolescence is the working of the competitive and technological forces in a free society—forces that lead to ever-improving goods and services.”
The film, “The Lightbulb Conspiracy” by Cosima Dannoritzer, has a brilliant archival footage, and sets the scene in Livermore, US with the world’s longest lasting lightbulb. It has been burning since 1901. A cartel called Phoebus consisting of lightbulb manufacturers in Europe, US and in Asia put an end to long lasting bulbs by wanting to control their production in the 1920s. They colluded to make lightbulbs that would not last more than 1000 hours, as they figured out that it would not be economically remunerative otherwise.
With the Great Depression, the timing for planned obsolescence couldn’t have been better. In 1932, Bernard London came out with a document called, “Ending the Depression Through Planned Obsolescence.”
In 1954, Brook Stevens, an American industrial designer traveled all over the US to popularise the term and its perceived advantages. According to him, planned obsolescence was “Instilling in the buyer the desire to own something a little newer, a little better, a little sooner than is necessary.”
However, these are some advantages of planned obsolescence:
-Cheaper initial cost of products
-Feeling of buying newer, safer or better products
-Products regarded as fashion or status symbols
-Increased wealth from sales
Finally, some disadvantages
Planned obsolescence is a business strategy in which the obsolescence of a product is planned and built into it from its conception. This is done so that in future the consumer feels a need to purchase new products and services that the manufacturer brings out as replacements for the old ones. Consumers sometimes see planned obsolescence as a sinister plot by manufacturers to fleece them. But Philip Kotler, a marketing guru says: “Much so-called planned obsolescence is the working of the competitive and technological forces in a free society—forces that lead to ever-improving goods and services.”
The film, “The Lightbulb Conspiracy” by Cosima Dannoritzer, has a brilliant archival footage, and sets the scene in Livermore, US with the world’s longest lasting lightbulb. It has been burning since 1901. A cartel called Phoebus consisting of lightbulb manufacturers in Europe, US and in Asia put an end to long lasting bulbs by wanting to control their production in the 1920s. They colluded to make lightbulbs that would not last more than 1000 hours, as they figured out that it would not be economically remunerative otherwise.
With the Great Depression, the timing for planned obsolescence couldn’t have been better. In 1932, Bernard London came out with a document called, “Ending the Depression Through Planned Obsolescence.”
In 1954, Brook Stevens, an American industrial designer traveled all over the US to popularise the term and its perceived advantages. According to him, planned obsolescence was “Instilling in the buyer the desire to own something a little newer, a little better, a little sooner than is necessary.”
However, these are some advantages of planned obsolescence:
-Cheaper initial cost of products
-Feeling of buying newer, safer or better products
-Products regarded as fashion or status symbols
-Increased wealth from sales
Finally, some disadvantages