Michael Saunby

Exeter

Civil Servant

How about a house, a book, a suit, a carpet, a desk, a tea pot, a chair..... made 20, even 40 years ago? Our lives may not be full of ancient objects but they are mostly made up of ancient designs.

It's reasonable to expect newer technologies such as mobile phones, even cars, to continue to advance, but there are plenty of examples of objects that have already reached their peak. I can't say I notice much difference in a staircase built this year, compared with one built in 1908. Even some electronic items haven't moved on much in the last couple of decades - my HP calculator is over 20 years old, a new one would be no better in any meaningful way.