Things Used to Work in This Country...An appliance used to be a machine. Now it’s a bureaucracy.

The New Atlantis ^ | 27 FEBRUARY 2024 | Clare Coffey

[Red Badger]

Those were the days, my friend,
We thought they’d never end.
...............

[DesertRhino]

Good article. So true.

[PGR88]

Moved into my present home 20 years ago. It had a GE air-conditioning unit that was original install, I think about 1978. After nearly 40 years, was a bit loud, a bit expensive, but worked well (live in NE, so its not getting heavy duty, like it would in the South)

Replaced it with a Lennox that failed after 6 years. The reason, I am told - condenser piping and guts have been mostly replaced with aluminum, so they have copper on aluminum welds, which will never last.

[clashfan]

I remember being a kid and loving to tune into AM radio stations states away at night when they could come through after so many local stations signed off. Chicago, New Orleans, and many others here in the eastern US.

[hole_n_one]

[Starboard]

Nearly everything in this country is now regulated, controlled, taxed, monitored, or in some way influenced by the government. Nothing escapes Big Brother. Just look around you.

[Red Badger]

When we were a young couple just married, no kids, we bought a used Kenmore washing machine from a refurbisher that did it as a hobby. I think we paid $50 for it.

It was old and scratched but it worked. It was probably at least ten years old when we bought it.

We had it for another ten years before the transmission finally broke.

We then bought a brand new Whirlpool that didn’t last ten years before it rusted out.

Then a GE. Same thing.

Now we have a LG Front loader.

Just replaced the drain pump for $17 at ten years, and it still goes on............

[dfwgator]

In Amerika, Television Watches You!

[SunkenCiv]

Through the door there came familiar laughter, from inside the dryer.

[Red Badger]

Me too.

We listened to radio preachers mostly..............

[Empire_of_Liberty]

Why the Antique Mall is one of my favorite stores.

It will be sad when radio no longer works. Digital TV is digitally not worth watching. It was a transition that really wasn’t needed, since more people use other sources.

[Red Badger]

That song is actually a RUSSIAN folk song that a British writer borrowed and put English lyrics to it................

[Tucker39]

WKBW Buffalo, NY.
WWVA Wheeling, WV.
WCKY Cincinatti, OH on a radio in a ‘51 Chevy in York County, PA.
Those old vacuum tube radios really pulled in the stations. The transistor ones just don’t do it like the oldies did.

[rlmorel]

This was from Pookie18's daily post of "Pookie's Toons", and I thank her for it! It seemed appropriate:

[The Duke]

In 1977, at the start of my sophomore year in college, I bought a vintage 1950's GE refrigerator from a graduating senior. The latch didn't work, so I had to keep it closed with bungee cords, but it sure did keep our beverages cold.

I still miss that old fridge!

[Starboard]

Thanks. I haven’t seen that one before.

Brings to mind the Taxman song by the Beatles.

[rlmorel]

Heh, I had the same first impression!

[SunkenCiv]

Well, how nice.

[jimwatx]

My SONY boombox from the 70’s still works albeit with a bit more static.