You know, that's a good question. Maybe sewing machines? Typewriters? Linotype machines? I admit that it's all a mixed bag. Common use of microcontrollers

You know, that's a good question. Maybe sewing machines? Typewriters? Linotype machines? I admit that it's all a mixed bag. Common use of microcontrollers allows more cleverly designed electric hand drills at lower cost, but they are mechanically more poorly made than in days of yore. Cars strike me as having the same problem, partly in the ability to design with computers, not just having a computer in the loop. Major components (transmissions, rear ends, etc.) used to be built in a much more beefy way partly because they were just guessing. Luckily we are all free agents. We can buy old or we can buy new.