The lightbulb conspiracy is both real and everywhere

Throughline uncovers the hidden history of the lightbulb cartel, a 1920s conspiracy that deliberately shortened bulb lifespan to boost sales. This seemingly small corporate decision set the template for planned obsolescence—the business strategy of designing products with a limited lifespan to drive repeat purchases. How that strategy has expanded from lightbulbs to modern smartphones, software, and nearly every consumer good, shaping our throwaway culture and environmental crises. Featuring Markus Krajewski, author of The Great Lightbulb Conspiracy, Giles Slade, author of Made to Break, and NPR's Sally Helm.