Modern Times
I recently bought a new pair of everyday shoes to replace the ones I've had in heavy rotation for ... well, some time now. Something over a year I think. And as I'm putting the old pair into the box to donate, I was suprised to realize that the shoelaces were perfectly good. I remember when I'd have to replace shoelaces at least a couple of times before the shoes were worn out.
Perhaps I shouldn't use the term "worn out" as my old shoes actually still have a good amount of life left in them but are showing their age to the point that I need more support. For all the carping about planned obsolescence, I have not had to buy shoelaces for several years now. Some small things are getting better in this here modren world.