Before the industrialization, mending clothes that wore out was an economical necessity. Buying a new dress could cost as much as one years salary; no wonder the wearer wanted to use it for as long as possible.
Once the machines started turning and the industrialization gained momentum at the end of the 19:th century, prices dropped rapidly.
The trend towards cheaper commodities continues to this day, as does the trend to buy more stuff than the previous generation. We are now however slowly becoming aware of that there is another price to pay for consumption. We are using up the available resources in an ever increasing rate, putting people, animals and entire eco-systems in great jeopardy.
I do recommend a visit to the exhibition; it's an excellent historical looking glass for a close inspection of our own time.
