Comment by bandoti

Comment by bandoti 6 months ago

3 replies

I’m sure someone has done this, but it would be interesting to study the overall tech landscape and compare which technology has sort of retained its value, depreciated, or increased in value—and how long those phases take. Even as far back as things like cast-iron printing presses and such. I mean also value in terms of usage not necessarily monetary.

The cycles we go through where a new tech supplants an old one, people thinking it’s the way of the future, and the old processes maybe forgotten for a while. Some might come back, others completely obsolescent. Still others the old tech might be superior to new—but more expensive (like old hard-wood window panes) and not sustainable.

mitthrowaway2 6 months ago

I remember finding HeNe laser interferometers in an old HP catalogue from the '70s and being surprised that buying the equivalent system today from KeySight actually costs much more, even adjusted for inflation.

  • bandoti 6 months ago

    Interesting—I guess build quality and certain technologies that don’t change much makes supply-and-demand takes over.