50 People Share Extremely Resilient Items

These days, everything is built to break. Although manufacturers have a much fancier phrase for it (planned obsolescence), it is what it is—products are built to last for a short while.

They are designed to be challenging to repair, making purchasing a new product the only sensible option. But things were different many years ago.

So when your grandparents tell you that things were built to last back in the old days, they are absolutely right. A popular subreddit called BuyItForLife is the best proof.

With more than 872K members, it is a meeting place for people who own or love antique marvels of engineering and craftsmanship. Some of the items shared in the community are more than a century old and still working perfectly.

We have selected 50 of the best posts, and we know they will make you look at your one-year-old-but-obsolete TV with a bit of disdain in your eyes.

1. "Oak Chest. Storing Family Shit Since 1682. Lock Still Working"

burgerfix

2. "My Pocket Compass Is Engraved 'Eng. Dept. U.S.A. 1918.' Wish I Had Paid More Attention to Who Owned These Things When My Parents Passed Them On to Me. It’s Too Late to Ask Them Now. But the Compass Still Points to Magnetic North After 99 Years!"

Logybayer

3. "This Used to Wake Me Up for School in the 5th Grade. I'm 39 Now"

AnImbroglio

The Psychological Value of Resilience

The concept of resilience is vital in understanding how certain items can hold deep emotional significance. As Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, states, "Resilience is not merely about bouncing back; it’s about evolving and transforming through adversity." Items that have withstood the test of time often symbolize strength, stability, and continuity within families, fostering a sense of belonging and identity that can be pivotal for emotional health. According to Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, a happiness researcher, "The emotional connections we have with certain objects can significantly enhance our well-being and sense of self."

4. "Just Been Gifted My Parents' Le Creuset Saucepan Set. They Got It as a Wedding Gift 40 Years Ago. It Has Had Everyday Use Since"

SamTurvill

5. "My Old Car Toy [Sachs] Survived 7 Kids and Is Still Rolling After 35 Years..."

An_antitheist

6. "Oxford Bookbag from 1880 or So. My Grandpa Got It Used When He Started High School in 1951. It Has Since Been Used and Enjoyed by My Mom, Uncle, Aunt, and Myself and Is Still Durable"

Bambuslover222

Moreover, cherished items can serve as tangible connections to our past, reminding us of the people and experiences that shaped us. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology indicates that reminiscing about positive memories can enhance mood and overall psychological well-being.

Encouraging individuals to share stories about their resilient items can foster social connections and strengthen familial bonds.

7. "Waffle Iron from the 1920s Still Working Flawlessly"

Roninizer

8. "This 117+-Year-Old Coffee Grinder from Peugeot (Yes, the Car Maker)"

gnaark

9. "Our Singer Sewing Machine, 100 Years Old and Works Perfectly"

SGT-smash

The Role of Objects in Memory and Identity

Objects often serve as anchors to our personal narratives, reinforcing our sense of self. According to research from the University of Amsterdam, items that hold significant meaning can influence our self-perception and emotional responses.

Encouraging discussions about meaningful objects within families can enhance understanding and appreciation for shared histories, ultimately promoting emotional resilience.

10. "My 1974 Sansui 881, She's 43 Years Old This Month"

canox74

11. "Vintage Farmhouse (Cast Iron) Sink Is Around 100 Years Old and Still Looks Great—Just Got Refinished Last Week!"

entertainingsoup

12. "My Jewish Great-Grandparents Used This Traveling Case When They Moved from Izmir, Ottoman Empire, to Argentina in 1910. Still Functional"

vladimirnovak

Additionally, the act of preserving and sharing family heirlooms can foster a sense of continuity and belonging. Studies show that engaging in rituals around these items can enhance family cohesion and provide comfort during times of stress.

Creating family traditions centered around these items can reinforce their importance and promote emotional well-being.

13. "My In-Laws’ Pyrex Bowls That My Wife Grew Up With. Wedding Present from 1970. The Only Thing She Asked for When Her Parents Asked Her What She Wanted from Their Estate. One Used to Be Pink. Used Daily"

Stepside79

14. "LEGO, My LEGO Being Played With Again 40 Years Later..."

awefulbob

15. "USSR-Made Stopwatch; Still in Daily Use at My Physiology Lab"

kolonparentes

Coping Mechanisms and Emotional Support

Items that have survived generations often serve as coping mechanisms during difficult times. Research from McGill University emphasizes that familiar objects can provide comfort and a sense of security, especially during periods of transition or loss.

Encouraging individuals to keep and cherish these objects can serve as a powerful tool for emotional regulation, helping them navigate challenging experiences.

16. "My Grandfather's Grandfather's Pocket Watch, Which Made It Through WW1, and Still Works!"

bobbinhum

17. "My Girlfriend's 1950s Frigidaire Stove (Which Is Replacing a Far Newer and Much Harder to Fix Stove)"

Yooreka

18. "My WW2-Era Tabletop GE Fan"

Ben_Frankling

Furthermore, sharing stories about resilient items can strengthen social support networks. A study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships found that discussing personal narratives enhances empathy and understanding among individuals.

Creating spaces for storytelling around these cherished items can facilitate deeper connections and emotional healing.

19. "Me in My Snoopy Sweater in 1981, My Son in the Same Sweater in 2017, and My Daughter in the Same Sweater in 2020"

Polytetrahedron

20. "1976 Scrabble Board with Raised Grid-Lines and Rotating Base. Still Has All the Pieces!"

mattQW

21. "My 97-Year-Old Waterman 52"

Jiggles42

22. "Stanley Thermos Used Every Day from 1970 to 2018"

MrJwoj

23. "My Grandpa's Razor I Inherited, Used to Shave with Him (W/Out Razor In) When I Was Little. 25ish Years Later I'm Here, Cleaned It Up, and Threw a New Razor In. 1940's Gold-Plated De"

rivet_head99

24. "Grandmother Still Has Her WWII Frigidaire Refrigerator, Still Works Without a Hitch!"

youOWEme

25. "My Mom Surprised My Son and Brought One of My Favorite Toys from My Childhood. It's Probably About 25 Years Old and He's Already Been Using It Daily—Just as I Did. Thanks, Mom"

brianlouis

26. "Kids Played the Most with This 25-Year-Old Toy Despite All the Gifts They Got"

vanderlinden

27. "Found This KitchenAid Mixer from the 1970s for $35. New Grease and Paint and It's as Good as New"

will3675

28. "30 Years Ago, I Received This as a Gift from My Grandparents. Today, I Get to Pass It On to My Son"

ShaquielleOFeel

29. "World's Oldest Pairs of Levi's Jeans Found in a Goldmine 136 Years Later"

inpleted

30. "Still Sporting My Dad's Coleman Classic Tent from the '70s. No Leaks, and Doesn't Require a Rain Fly. All Original Poles Intact After 44 Years"

SpaceSurfer8

31. "My Super Nintendo Still Going Strong 27 Years Later"

Fitzy0728

32. "My Sheaffer Reminder Ballpoint Pen. This Has Been in My Pocket Every Weekday for the Last 15 Years. It Used to Belong to My Grandfather. I Know He Used It Because the Brass Was Already Starting to Wear Through When I Got It. They Still Make the Refills for It"

deleted account

33. "When My Grandfather Passed Away, I Inherited His Auto Crawler. Still Using It to Change My Oil After 80 Years. (X-Post)"

testfire10

34. "My 1969 Raleigh Sports Bicycle, Still Widely Available Used, Will Last Forever with Minimal Care. I Ride Mine Regularly and Have Owned It for Over Ten Years"

mittenthemagnificent

35. "Sure, You May Lose a Finger, but My Emerson Table Fan Has Been Going Strong for Over 70 Years"

Schmooopy

36. "For Christmas, My Grandpa Gave Me the Sheepskin Coat He Wore in His 20s. He Is 70 Now! Still in Mint Condition :)"

Yupred

37. "Original Game Boy Still Works Like a Charm"

wood-garden

38. "Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman. Passed Down from My Late Grandfather. Circa 1960s"

adriatic33

39. "Here Is My 1958 Rolleiflex Camera That Was Passed Down to Me. It Still Works Perfectly and Takes Beautiful Images"

RolleiPollei

40. "Buy It for Several Lives, My Great-Grandfather's Desk from 1922"

Yoda2000675

41. "My 'New' 60-Year-Old Swiss Army Salt and Pepper Backpack"

JimNixon

42. "My In-Laws Were Brilliant: Le Creuset, Purchased 1977"

cuthman99

43. "Going on Twenty Years. (Sorel)"

Juco_Dropout

44. "Picked Up This Basset Bedroom Set from the Original Owners. Around 60 Years Old. Ready for Another Lifetime of Use"

deleted account

45. "My Mom and Dad Got Matching North Face Down Jackets After Their Wedding 35 Years Ago. Still Being Worn Today. Now That My Dad Won’t Be Wearing His Anymore, It’s Up to Me to Make Sure It Continues to Get Used"

testfire10

46. "I Thought You Guys Might Like My 1920s-1930s Magic Chef Stove with 6 Burners, 2 Ovens, and a Bread Warmer"

Frostysorbet

47. "This Duffle Bag That Came with the Nintendo 64 My Parents Got Me for Christmas '95. A Little Dinged Up but Very Intact. Still One of My Main Travel Bags"

topper12-42

48. "A Camera My Grandpa Bought for 100 Dollars in 1953; Today It Would Have Cost Almost 2000 Dollars"

Maroll

49. "About 80 Years Old. Hand-Me-Down Cast Iron Skillet, Used Daily"

FilOfTheFuture90

50. "My Car Turned 30 Today and Rolled Over 247,000 Miles. KBB Says It’s Worth No More Than $1,318 ($250 on a Trade-In). Guess I May as Well Keep It"

JuanOffhue

Psychological Analysis

Our in-house psychologist emphasizes that the emotional significance of resilient items often provides comfort and security. These objects can help individuals navigate life's challenges while reinforcing their sense of identity and belonging.

Analysis generated by AI

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

In summary, resilient items hold significant psychological value, serving as symbols of strength, continuity, and emotional support. Engaging with these objects can foster resilience, enhance family bonds, and promote overall well-being.

As highlighted by Dr. Kristin Neff, a leading researcher in self-compassion, "Objects that connect us to our past can serve as powerful reminders of our strength and resilience." This perspective aligns with the idea that such connections can significantly contribute to our emotional health.