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What’s the oldest thing you have that’s still in commission?

A close-up of a table scattered with classic board game pieces such as black and beige chess pieces, red dice and a colorful deck of cards.
What's an old item you still use?
(
Yuriy Gluzhetsky
/
iStockphoto
)

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Listen 15:13
What’s the oldest thing you have that’s still in commission?
We heard from listeners of LAist's AirTalk show about the special items they just can't let go — and still use!

Whether it's sentimental, useful or just never out of style, we all have that one item that has stuck with us through thick and thin. Listeners of AirTalk, LAist 89.3's daily news show, shared what has survived the test of time for them, and the stories behind why they're still in use. You can hear the full conversation above.

Some examples that stood out to us:

  • A sixth grade graduation shirt signed by old classmates, still used for as a comfy pajama top. sleeping.
  • A family heirloom hookah with Arabic inscriptions from Pakistan
  • A flyswatter from the '60
  • A heating pad from the '70s.

Themes we heard:

  • Kitchenware that got handed down from generation to generation
  • Nostalgia is a key factor, like hearing music through a vintage amplifier with a sound you can't get on a modern amp.
  • Efficiency. The most random things that bring the most efficiency (think 60+ year-old flyswatter).
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