I walked into a presentation to the Board the other day and couldn’t believe my eyes. Our Finance Director had exactly the same calculator as the one I use.

Errr wow???  So what’s the point of such a mundane observation?

Well, firstly that my calculator is my most reliable, faithful and long-standing gadget – dating back to my first job in 1987. It’s robust, fit for purpose and because of clearly very efficient solar technology just keeps running and running, even in surprisingly low artificial lighting conditions. For something that is over 20 years old it has a somewhat timeless design too – although doesn’t quite qualify for calculator museum status yet.

Seeing the FD with the exact same model, which I have since learnt is also well over 20 years old, my respect for my long-standing gadget has grown further. Unlike my device, which gets regular but not heavy use, the FD’s one has been hammered daily for a fair proportion of those 20 years. I would have expected some serious wear and tear after that – failed screen display, sticking buttons, cracked casing, power failures etc – but no – the only difference between his and mine is the ‘plus’ symbol has worn off – I guess if he doesn’t know what that button does by now then he shouldn’t be an FD 🙂

I like gadgets but I hate unnecessary waste. Seeing the mountains of tech waste grow and grow as we discard things like mobile phones on a distressingly regular basis is depressing – particularly when you see the toxic damage it’s doing not just to the environment but also the poor people who are forced to make a living salvaging valuable resources from the scrap.

Even on something as simple as my old calculator, there are at least 4 buttons I can’t remember ever pressing and a bunch of other functions I’ve never had reason to use and have long forgotten what they related to. I just want devices that do simple things well and don’t need replacing every couple of years.

I thought the iPhone looked promising but it’s hardly robust. Over the last few months I witnessed by brother-in-law crack the screen on his twice in the space of a week and my wife’s wifi antenna packed up beyond repair. I can’t see a current iPhone model lasting over 20 years unscathed and the constant recharging makes it far less convenient and instantly usable as my old calculator.

So, will there come a time before 2020 when I can buy a robust, solar powered mobile device that I can make simple phone calls on and access the web instantly to carry out all basic ‘office’ type tasks – but, above all, be able to undertake the same basic needs over 20 years later?