In the early 20th century, the Phoebus cartel, an alliance formed by the major lightbulb manufacturers of the time, made a decision that would set a precedent for planned obsolescence. They agreed to limit the lifespan of their lightbulbs to 1,000 hours, ensuring that consumers would have to return to the store more frequently to replace burned-out bulbs. This move was not about improving technology or benefiting the consumer; it was about maximizing profits by artificially shortening a product's usable life. Fast forward to the present, and we see a strikingly similar strategy employed in the cartridge razor market. Razor companies design their products so that the blades dull quickly and need to be replaced often, locking consumers into a cycle of continuous purchase.
Both the Phoebus cartel's lightbulbs and modern cartridge razors serve as textbook examples of how companies can manipulate product life cycles for financial gain, often at the expense of both the consumer and the environment. The repeated purchases required by these products contribute not only to a continuous outflow of money from consumers' pockets but also to increased waste and environmental degradation. However, just as LED lights have emerged as a long-lasting alternative to traditional bulbs, safety razors have made a comeback, offering a durable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternative to disposable cartridges. These shifts highlight a growing awareness and rejection of planned obsolescence, with consumers increasingly favouring products that promise longevity, sustainability, and respect for both their wallets and the world around them.
