Product Durability
243 episodes · Page 9 of 11
#2893: Why Your Rotary Shaver Struggles With Thick Hair
Rotary shavers struggle with thick, stiff hair due to a fundamental design mismatch. Here's what's actually happening.
#2885: How to Choose Your First Real Drill
Voltage numbers are misleading. Here’s what actually matters when buying a drill that will last.
#2884: How to Pick Safety Glasses That Actually Protect You
ANSI Z87.1+ vs. Z87, anti-fog coatings, fit-over goggle seals, and why squinting means your protection failed.
#2846: The Quest for Earbuds That Actually Fit
Why your earbuds won't stay put — and three paths to a secure fit, from aftermarket tips to custom molds.
#2812: The Hidden Database of Everything You Own
Is there an API for product specs? Yes, but it's built for engineers, not homeowners — and Israel SKUs make it harder.
#2802: The Tea Standard and 9 Other Weird ISO Rules
Ten hyper-specific international standards that make you question what humanity does with its collective time.
#2800: The Two Meanings of Industrial Design
Industrial design is a profession. The "industrial look" is something else entirely. Here's where they split.
#2758: How Water Hardness Rewrites Your Appliance Care
Why hard water ruins dishwashers and washing machines — and what to do about it.
#2751: Moving Like a Pro: Tips from Roadies and Diplomats
What touring roadies and Foreign Service officers can teach you about packing up your home network and toddler's toys.
#2725: How to Inspect a Home Like a Pro
A retired pediatrician shares his pro-level checklist for viewing rentals and homes without getting fooled by staging.
#2722: The Three Things That Keep Your Home from Falling Apart
Water, air, and filters — the trinity of home maintenance that saves you thousands.
#2713: The PT Cruiser: Icon or Punchline?
Was the PT Cruiser a design triumph or a cultural joke? We break down its rise, fall, and strange legacy.
#2681: Laundry Decoded: Beyond the Red Sock Disaster
Sorting, labels, water temps, and detergents — the complete beginner's guide to not shrinking your wardrobe.
#2599: The $200 Printer That Changed Everything
What $200 buys you for printing keycaps, cable housings, and small parts at home — with real material and environmental math.
#2554: Bluffer's Guide to Car Talk: Sound Like You Know Engines
Stop saying "it went clunk." Learn the phrases that make mechanics think you know what you're talking about.
#2542: The Best Permanent Markers That Actually Last
From ink chemistry to top brands: which markers hold up on plastic, metal, and in the sun.
#2537: Why Your Home Battery Shrinks Without Degrading
Your battery isn't degrading as fast as you think—software, temperature, and inverter limits are the real thieves.
#2124: The Flashlight You Actually Need
Most cheap flashlights fail when you need them most. Here’s what to buy instead.
#1937: Debunking Battery Myths: Memory Effect and the 80% Rule
The "memory effect" is dead. Here's why charging to 80% is the new rule for phone and EV battery longevity.
#1899: Why Japan's Vending Machines Thrive While America's Struggle
From Roman holy water to Japan’s soup-dispensing giants, we explore why vending machines jam—and why America’s are stuck in the past.
#1898: The Vinyl of Video: Why Laserdisc Refuses to Die
It spun at 1800 RPM, stored movies analog, and cost a fortune—yet Laserdisc’s legacy endures.
#1896: The Unitasker Graveyard: Why We Buy Useless Gadgets
From the Juicero to the motorized ice cream cone, we explore the $300M industry of single-purpose gadgets solving problems that don't exist.
#1883: From Juicero to Yik Yak: Startup Graveyard
We revisit 10 failed startups, from a $700 Wi-Fi juicer to an anonymous social app that turned toxic.
#1868: The $100 Pen vs. The Disposable Pen
Why a $100 pen is cheaper than a $0.50 pen. We break down the physics of pressurized ink and machined metal.