Hans Rosling presented a similar topic at TED (2010):<p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.ted.com&#x2F;talks&#x2F;hans_rosling_and_the_magic_washing_machine?language=en" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.ted.com&#x2F;talks&#x2F;hans_rosling_and_the_magic_washing_...</a><p>On the other hand, we may overestimate the disruption of home appliances because of how history played out.  <i>Today</i>, many poor villagers choose to spend what little money they have on <i>a cellphone instead of a washing machine.</i>  They continue to wash clothes by hand and hang them to dry but they absolutely need the cellphone to tell them what price their crops will sell for at the market.