Family's fridge is still going after 63 yearsThere seems to have been a spate of "oldest appliance" stories in the news lately but this one should certainly take some beating! It's become something of a cliche to say that "they don't make 'em like they used to" but in this instance it's well worth saying. I'd like to see what modern electrical appliances would last long enough to be able to still be used on a daily basis in 2073; these days you're lucky if the thing lasts beyond 5 years. Today's throwaway culture has a lot to answer for!
Although I can't imagine that the manufacturers of the fridge had envisioned their product lasting for more than six decades it says something for the quality and build of electrical devices from the mid-20th Century, not to mention the pride and assurance that the makers had in the designs.
I'm sure that the materials used back then had something to do with it; solid woods, metals (and Bakelite, of course!) always lend objects a more sturdy, durable feel than flimsy plastics and MDF. The bonus is they look more stylish and impressive too.
The Ashley family's fridge is a refreshing reminder of long-lost engineering skill and here's hoping it lasts for another 63 years, and more.
I wondered if anyone could beat a 63-year-old fridge; well, here's the answer:
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