July 18, 2007

Can We Design Gadgets That Age?

by Piers Fawkes

Technology Iphone MichaelnagleapBobbie Johnson has some interesting thoughts in his column on The Guardian where he wonders why we can’t appreciate aging gadgets like we might appreciate vintage clothes or your cast-iron skillet. He says:

One thing technology manufacturers don’t do is design for deterioration. Of course, that’s not the same as obsolescence; it’s simply the concept that you can improve an item through wear and tear. With clothes and many other objects, we appreciate the value of aging. Leather, for example, is one material that gains character as it gets older. Denim too: hence the prevalence of pre-faded jeans on the high street these days.

Partly this must be because technology is increasingly seen as disposable - but then so are clothes, or kitchen utensils. But given the high cost of many electronics, there must be an intrinsic value to a design which improves with age (even if it runs contrary to the “Newer! Bigger! Faster!” mantra of the industry) - especially when we’re becoming hyper-aware of excess consumption.

Can we design gadgets that age? from Guardian Unlimited: Technology

Article categories: Electronics & Gadgets, Environmental, Telecom

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4 Responses to “Can We Design Gadgets That Age?”

  1. Christine Huang
    Posted from: 66.151.115.66

    July 18th, 2007 at 4:11 pm

    While retro electronics (original Gameboys, 8-tracks, early synths, etc) have a strong following, it’s generally nostalgia and quirkiness that drive their popularity, much like Nike’s vintage running shoes series. It would be interesting to see a gadget that, as you mention, actually improves with age, like worn-in jeans and softened leather - rather than something that becomes cooler only when it becomes sufficiently antiquated/obsolete.

  2. Scott
    Posted from: 38.114.71.19

    July 18th, 2007 at 4:24 pm

    Interesting you bring gadgets that age. Recently, a biologist spoke at an architecture conference attended by a friend who noted that in a rainforest…or any forest, the trees and canopy become stronger with the weather, while our structures weaken.

    I think it’s the ultimate challenge in design, simply because we’ll need to crack mother nature’s code.

  3. John Voelcker
    Posted from: 96.224.34.46

    July 19th, 2007 at 5:04 am

    Tangentially related is the enormous growth in collecting of electronic gadgets. There’s a guy in Silicon Valley who has > 20K electronic calculators, for example. Like all good collectors, he pays far more for NIB examples with manuals, original styrofoam inserts, etc.–and even more if they’re shrink-wrapped! Taste knows no boundaries.

  4. David
    Posted from: 41.208.225.173

    July 21st, 2007 at 11:04 am

    Ever trolled through your iTunes for 30mins trying to figure out what to listen to?

    Imagine an iPod that gathered data on its owner and gradually learnt to accurately recommend/select music for you based on your music listening habits. The older it is, the better it would be at this.

    Technology that ages…?

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