Originally Posted by Velo Dog

I'm working on a magazine column about this right now--I started writing for Hot Rod more than 30 years ago, and have worked for several other magazines since. Many of the young editors (warning: Geezer talk ahead) have never sat in, much less owned, a car without air, power windows and locks or remote control. I read a road test the other day criticizing a sub-$11,000 economy car because air con was an OPTION, instead of standard. I have all that crap on my existing cars because that's how they came, but if I had to give it all up, the only thing I'd miss is air conditioning.
I never have liked brifters--I don't even like the word--and don't use them. But when i look at all the throwaway calculators in our car and house, I can't help but think about the first one I saw, back about 1974. It was the size of a city phone book, would add, subtract, multiply and divide, and it cost $125.