Simple technology you own that never lets you down.

[chomalungma]

Having problems with the router this morning. Internet keeps dropping off. It has all these complex systems, protocols, bits of information flying around the world in packets and then has to get to my computer and be interpreted as a web page. So much to go wrong.

So with Alexa not really working, I have had to put my radio on. It's a simple FM radio,. Relies on a crystal inside and radio waves. Not too complicated electronics. Reliable and still works after all these years.

So what simple technology do you own that's reliable and never lets you down?

I'm hoping someone says an old VW Beetle - not complex electronics!

I still use my old scientific calculator bought for maths A level 35 years ago. My DS has something that resembles a mini computer for his. Mine often gets the answer first if I am helping him, as it is so much simpler to operate!

We went on holiday to Portugal and the room had no clocks. We had only our mobiles and were leaving them in the safe. We bought a 3€ Plastic Casio watch that is waterproof. It is still working 6 years later despite being in a drawer between trips. My £300 watch has had 2 new batteries and had to be sent to Switzerland. We take it every year, it’s not a disaster if it gets wet or sandy etc, we call it ‘holiday watch’ when DH puts it on we are officially on holiday. Just had a look and it’s still going strong 😁

I bought a transistor radio for my garden shed last year (no wifi or electricity). Works perfectly.

Still use my scientific calculator from the 80s too. Also a plug in clock radio from about 20 years ago. Landline phone and answerphone too (mobile reception not great here).

Refillable fountain pen. Makes my writing look lovely with zero effort and I'm still using up jars of ink I bought 20+ years ago.

Tweezer man tweezers.
Until you try them you never knew how much difference well made tweezers can make.
They are just good.

Corkscrew & Bottle Opener . . .

Stick blender bought from Sainsbury's for £5 in 1998.

I sometimes use heated rollers to give my hair some body. I still have the set I was given for Christmas as a teen in 1988 or ‘89. Really simple to use.

Well I don’t know how simple it is, but my GHDs - I’ve had them for absolutely years and years - possibly about 18 years. So impressive. I remember being quite young and thinking twice because of how expensive they were but it was clearly worth it.

I have a mini chopper and blender set I bought from Argos when I was 20 and had my first flat.

I'm now 46 and it's still working perfectly.

Our slow cooker is one of the originals with the brown ceramic crockpot. No idea how old it is - 30 years?

Both my sewing machines - one is from 1936, inherited from a great aunt. The other is over 30 years old.

A Casio watch, a tenner from Argos. When the batter goes, about 5 years I just but a new one. Excellent

Philips electric hand mixer/beater bought in Singapore in 1969. Still mixes the Christmas cake every year.