DH & I have had a running argument over whether or not we've REALLY made progress in the world or not. Everything now is disposable, designed to break, and nobody knows how anything works. My argument is that if something is designed to fail it's not an improvement, even if it's fancier while it's working.
I do love technology, though...I love that my car can stream Pandora radio station as I'm driving around, and the internal computer is pretty cool with all the navigation and fuel monitoring, and the push-button ignition makes me feel like I'm one of the Jetsons. But is it REALLY better than an old 50's car? In 20 years, which one will still work just like new? Betcha not my fancy new car. Betcha not my fancy computerized sewing machine, either.
Vintage machines are sustainable. If society collapses I'm hanging on to my oldest sewing machine, so when I'm squatting in my cave grilling lizards over a campfire at least my rags will be properly hemmed! LOL