Unraveling the Threads of Planned Obsolescence

This case study provides an overview of planned obsolescence, tracing its historical roots and contemporary applications across industries. In 1924, the notorious Phoebus cartel engineered a deliberate reduction in the product durability of lightbulbs to drive consumer demand. At the same time, General Motors embraced psychological obsolescence, regularly updating automobile models to cultivate the desire for novelty and perceived superiority. Today, obsolescence tactics manifest in everything from iPhones to the food industry, where stringent aesthetic standards and misleading expiration labels often result in significant food waste. These practices underscore broader ethical and environmental concerns associated with modern consumer culture. Students will be asked to assess how businesses can balance the ethical implications of planned obsolescence with economic pressures, explore the environmental consequences and regulatory roles across industries, and evaluate how consumer education can empower informed purchasing decisions.