Reliability and electrolytic capacitors
 

It's interesting to track the reliability of consumer electronics from the
era of the TRF AM receiver up until now. This spans about 75 years. Many
significant gains have been made, but there is at least one big fly in the
ointment. In my observation, the biggest fly is the electrolytic capacitor.

Perhaps not the correct group to post this to, as some here earn an honest
living replacing them!

I fully realize how small modern products must be and know about switch mode
power supplies and do appreciate that electrolytics (including tantalums)
are the only way to go in many cases.

Just thinking that if someone could solve the reliability problems, they
would make quite an impact!

There is an interesting story now circulating about a stolen electrolyte
formula (which was missing some crucial additives) and the resultant
premature death of many computer motherboards!