- In this report
- Overview
Looking back
This article appeared in February 2000
Cell-phone service was fractured among at least 13 carriers in major metropolitan areas, offering more than 100 different wireless plans. Among the trends we found was an elimination of roaming charges when outside the "home area" but higher charges for regional or nationwide calling plans. Consumers had a choice of analog or digital cell service. We rated 11 phones, which weighed up to 7.9 ounces—or almost half a pound—compared with 4.8 ounces for today's iPhone 3GS.
In quotes
"You'd think that after more than a decade, the tumult unleashed by the cellular-telephone revolution would have settled down. But both seasoned cell-phone users and recent recruits to wireless calling face a new generation of baffling service plans and technologies."
February 1980
The quest for great-looking hair (it was the era of Big Hair) led us to test 27 curling irons that offered such features as temperature control and steam-misting. Our conclusion was that the curling irons were a big improvement over spending an uncomfortable night trying to sleep with 12 jumbo plastic hair rollers on your head. We said the misting feature on some irons offered great versatility for as little as $15.
In quotes
"Years ago, little girls who lacked little curls were practically underprivileged. If you were one of those unfortunates, you may remember the old-fashioned curling iron, heated on the stove like a branding iron in the fire. And you may still bear the scars—physical or psychological—of that instrument of torture."
Our first washer tests in 1937 found that $40 to $160 (that's $600 to $2,400 today) would at best get you a machine that washes satisfactorily for 2 hours a week. At worst, you could expect dirty laundry after washing, possible electric shock, and major repairs every year or so.
In quotes
"Machines with wringers are usually cheaper than those with spinners but are more dangerous to use. A great many cases have been reported of women catching their hands, sleeves, and hair in power wringers while drying clothes."
