Yes, I was thinking of planned obsolescence but couldn't recall the name. Many things appear to be build as consumables. But, its not that simple. The products we buy, many of them at least keep adding more features but do not change much in price. How is this possible? Well some of it is due to technology advancements and some of it is due to companies that make components figuring out how to reduce costs. As someone that often repairs his own appliances and machines it has become harder and more expensive to do. Products are not made to be repairable. There isn't much market for it. Much bigger market for new and shiny. Some of this is due to propaganda I think (marketing) but much of it is due to fiat and the push to spend spend spend because of the melting ice cube of the fiat. Fiat is distorting the market on both ends. Producers and consumers.