Ball bearing headsets are about as old as bicycles. Their history would fill a book, but the basics haven't changed.
If your Tange headset is like the one pictured, the toothed washer is supposed to be keyed to the fork, and if so, and if the the fork is short enough so it the locknut doesn't bottom out on the steerer it'll keep it's adjustment very well.
I suspect that either your keyway is damaged or filed off, or the fork is too long, or a washer was removed, causing your problems. If all three are corrected, the headset will be fine, and last forever, assuming the races themselves aren't worn, rusty or pitted.
That's all you get for free. If you want more general info, search the net for it.
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