Doesn't this make you feel like a mushroom?

Discussion in 'Knowledge Base Articles Discussion' started by Paul Gregory, May 20, 2026 at 12:06 PM.

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  1. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    So technological improvements always require shortened lifespans.
    Gottit.
     
    #21 Paul Gregory, May 20, 2026 at 8:14 PM
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I'm not sure there's anybody in this thread who has said so.

    I did suggest that engineering choices to improve some metrics often involve trade-offs on other metrics. Sometimes one of those other metrics is longevity, and sometimes it isn't.
     
    #22 ChapmanF, May 20, 2026 at 8:22 PM
  3. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    Starting in 1923 and ending in 1953, John Deere made a tractor that was nearly indestructible, called the Model D.
    Such reliability built lifetime and rock-solid loyalty with many customers, which still stands today, although such reliability no longer exists in their products,

    Another Iowa-based company, Maytag, apparently took a page from that book, and produced household appliances with legendary dependability. The iconic "Maytag repairman" was famous for having nothing to do.

    Sadly, this philosophy seems mostly gone, as companies are mostly focused on next quarter profits. That leaves the field open to imports which may cost more, but always seem to be in much demand for their reliability. That is the strategy Japanese companies used to defeat tariff walls.
     
    #23 Paul Gregory, May 20, 2026 at 8:22 PM
  4. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    That was clearly the implication.
     
    #24 Paul Gregory, May 20, 2026 at 8:23 PM
  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    That trade-offs are to be expected, and might involve longevity? Sure, I meant to imply that.

    That such trade-offs "always require shortened lifespans"? That's a strawman you read in.

    Sometimes the trade-off will be cost. Or weight. Or peak torque. Or whatever. There are as many possibilities as there are technologies and competing metrics to design for.
     
    #25 ChapmanF, May 20, 2026 at 8:32 PM
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  6. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    How much of that reputation was real, vs. how much was an image created by advertising campaigns?

    Longevity is just one of many measures of product quality and performance and suitability. Maytag reviews on some other measures were mixed.

    Not the way I read it.
     
    #26 fuzzy1, May 20, 2026 at 9:16 PM
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