Materials: TV/VCR, a copy of the worksheet, The Impact of Stuff.

Families were encouraged to buy a new car every year, not because the cars don't work anymore, but because they go out of style. This is known as "planned obsolescence."

Not long ago, some experts predicted that by the year 2000, Americans would only work 14 hours a week. Labor-saving devices were supposed to make this possible. Instead, business executives feared a lag in consumer demand. They worried that the economy would come crashing down, and looked for new ways to stimulate spending.

Start video at this scene: "According to historian David Shi, the idea that the good life is a simpler, less acquisitive life, runs deep in our heritage..." (about 18:58 on the counter)

Stop video when screen reads: "Prevention and Treatment." (about 20:75)

Ask students to select a product such as designer athletic shoes, TV, VCR or car. Have students research what resources go into the product. (A good resource for this activity is the book Stuff: The Secret Lives of Everyday Things by John C. Ryan and Alan Thein Durning.)

Give each student a copy of the Impact of Stuff worksheet and have them research the answers to the questions.

Discuss student findings.

For more information about the history of American consumption, please see our history timeline, "Consuming Moments in History" on our Affluenza Web site at www.pbs.org/affluenza.