It might be an antique but....It will still be working long after I'm gone.

After watching the first in the BBC series Electric Dreams as the programme follows a family as they are regressed back to 1970s technology (having to suffer 1970s style economic recession with the oil crisis etc, Oh the nostalgia ) what robust and simple technology will still be working in the next 50 years.

What piece of survival kit/household technology if you bought today will still be useful in 50 years time. I'll start the ball rolling with the Simplex copper kettle.

Can you still buy a Mangle like my gran used to use with her twin tub waching machine back in the 1970s.

Claw hammer
http://www.estwing.com/product.php?product_id=300

Cast Iron frying pans
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Information/CastIronPans.htm
includes care instructions.

Interesting discussion. e-Bay indicates that camping gear can last 50 years and that's the bulk of my "survival" gear. Some of my camping gear that could still be around because they are no-tech or low-tech and sturdy:

knives
axes (Gransfors Bruks)
Thermette/Kelly Kettle
cast iron dutch ovens and grill
waxed cotton packs and bags
Coleman stainless cooler and jug
candle lanterns
campstoves
steel chuck box

Technology is advancing so rapidly I'd guess my flashlights and headlamps may not have batteries available for them in 50 years.

Super-lightweight fabrics in tents, clothes and packs probably won't prove very enduring, unless they are coddled in someone's attic.

My plastic Aqua-tiners are quite durable but I'd think they are less likely to be retained.

I'll second that - Any quality cast iron cooking gear, including pots, fry pans, and dutch ovens.

I fear much of it will be thrown out by unknowing children upon the death of their parents. Ohhh ... that stuff is gold!

(I've somewhat recently acquired a new appreciation for cast iron)


I would also like to think that my Ritter and Becker knives and my Snow & Nealley axes would still be around and useful 50 years from now - if my children recognize what they are when I'm gone. Will the synthetic knife slabs make it that long?

"Can you still buy a Mangle like my gran used to use with her twin tub waching machine back in the 1970s."

Yes, you can. For example, Lehman's (lehmans.com) carries two models that clamp onto your washtub. I have one that resembles their less expensive model; found it elsewhere online for about $110, under the name Dyna-Jet. Very useful for t-shirts, socks, underwear, towels...anything that doesn't have buttons or zippers.

My can opener!!!! I think my mom had it when she was young, in the 50's! It could use a hot oil bath, but still works fine.

Ok, maybe not THAT old...but it is certainly from the 70s.

I have a small collection of old straight razors, and yes, I use them to shave with sometimes.

My P38 can opener. Just hit it with olive oil to keep it lubed and it'll last forever.

Honestly, most housing. Think about it, shelter is one of the basics! And a house is almost always a wise investment for later.

I grew up in a 1960s era house. My grandmother's 1920s house is still in great condition (and standing, in earthquake-prone Los Angeles). Lots of early 1900s buildings are still around on the West Coast, and lots of MUCH older housing is around on the East Coast.

Canning supplies will still be reliable. Iceboxes/refrigerators might make it (my grandmother had a 30+ y/o fridge growing up). Some cars might, probably the ones that are less-electronically inclined. I can foresee '57 Chevy's still on the road, assuming one could find parts still. All in all, lots of 50-year old things aren't THAT unusual. Heck, my parents well, I guess that'd be me, in 50 years. They'd be centarians by then.

self winding watch.