I’m always amazed when I hear in economic reports on durable goods that the definition of a durable good is something that will last at least three years. I guess when there are only two categories of goods you have to draw the line somewhere, but it seems like this basic economic definition sets the bar so low in our minds (and in the minds of manufacturers) of what durability really is that we’ve lost the ability to adequately assess product durability, and also lost an appreciation for the value of high quality products.
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This is the coffee grinder that belonged to my grandmother. I found it tucked away in a corner of my parents house and have been using it for the past several weeks to make coffee. I was surprised at how easy it was turn the crank and how quickly it turned a few beans into a pile of finely ground powder. It’s also much quieter than the electric coffee grinder I used to use.
This coffee grinder exemplifies what a real durable good should be: something you can pass down to your grandchildren (or great-grandchildren) that will work just as well for them as did for you.
