The oldest thing in your house might not sit behind glass or carry a sentimental story. It could be the skillet you grab for eggs, the wooden spoon that has survived three kitchen remodels, or the desk lamp that somehow refuses to die.
That makes this question more interesting than it first appears. A household object can last for decades because someone built it well, because its job never changed, or because nobody found a convincing reason to replace it. Sometimes, though, age turns from charming to concerning. An old object deserves a closer look when its materials, wiring, safety features, or condition no longer match the job.
