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Do Tools Ever 'Die?'

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the situation-is-immortal dept.

An anonymous reader writes "NPR recently ran a debate between two commenters regarding the perpetual lifespan of tools... in other words, that no tool ever goes completely out of use. This debate wasn't focused just on mechanical tools based on simple machines, but included electronics as well (vinyl record players, for example). Did you know you can still buy 8-inch floppy drives online? NPR is looking for examples of tools that have gone entirely out of use... any ideas, Slashdot?"

1 of 615 comments (clear)

  1. Very easy answer by HappyCycling · · Score: 5, Informative

    The shoe-fitting fluoroscope.

    Basically a box that you put your feet into where x-rays are fired upon your feet and you can look into the viewing ports on the top and see the bones in your feet for the purpose of getting correctly sized shoes.

    It was used during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s and was subsequently discontinued after employees experienced radiation burns from the constant exposure.

    http://www.orau.org/ptp/collection/shoefittingfluor/shoe.htm