It was well worn, with the lining gone, the exterior banged up from years of use. But something about the copper stockpot sitting in a Burgundy, France, antiques shop in 2004 called to Jim Hamann.

HERE’S TED REINSTEIN PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE. YOU KNOW, THE IDEA THAT SOME MANUFACTURERS DESIGN PRODUCTS TO HAVE A LIMITED LIFESPAN, LEADING YOU TO REPLACE THEM MORE OFTEN. PERHAPS YOUR SMARTPHONE ...