Katarzyna Petru
An older couple from Guatemala used a Samsung CRT television for 39 years, which they purchased in 1987. The receiver operated nearly every day, from morning news to evening movies, and its screen even displayed reports on the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was only after nearly four decades that the equipment began to fail, which prompted the family to donate it through the Eco Trade-In program and exchange it for a new LCD model. Samsung not only accepted the device but also preserved it after restoration as a symbol of the durability of past constructions. The story has resonated widely, as such longevity is now a rarity.
39 years is a lot, but the record is even older
Although the case from Guatemala is impressive, there have been even more extreme examples in the history of television. In 2011, a functioning Marconi television from 1936 was sold at auction for £16,800, or about $22,900. This means it operated for about 75 years from the time it was produced. It's an absolute niche, but it shows how solid older constructions could be.
Why did old CRTs last for decades, but today they last 5–7 years
The durability of cathode ray tubes was due to their analog simplicity, easier repair, and better heat management. Modern LCD and OLED televisions are significantly more technologically complex, relying on LED backlighting and software. Today, the lifespan of televisions is often estimated to be around 5–7 years, sometimes a decade under favorable conditions. In practice, repairs often cease to be cost-effective, so equipment is replaced more quickly than serviced.
The story of the 39-year-old Samsung is not just a curiosity but a strong contrast to contemporary electronics. In the past, people bought televisions for decades, while today they are more often purchased for a few years. This particular example shows that durability was once a real value, not just a marketing slogan.
source: techradar.com
