[jlgray]

Some of that has a "you get what you pay for" component.

My parents have a Frigidaire Flair double oven from the early 1960s. The thing is amazing, and still works perfectly. I think it cost something like $400 originally, which would be north of $3000 today, however in 1963 the median income was $6200 [1], so that would be closer to $4000 for the median person of today.

For that kind of money, you could definitely get some nicer appliances today. Although the switch from simple analog to complex digital electronics probably puts a more modest ceiling on the lifespan of anything made today.

On the other hand, there is also something to be said for being able to have an oven without taking out a loan!

1. https://www2.census.gov/prod2/popscan/p60-043.pdf