This reminds me of how everyone buys fancy kitchen gadgets before they can even chop an onion properly. Same thing with guitars, mountain bikes, running shoes, you name it. People want the gear to do the work instead of putting in the hours on basics. A leaf spring and a good heat treat will outcut a pretty Damascus blade every time in the hands of someone who actually knows what they're doing.

How long did those old bulbs run before you noticed the cure going bad?

Nah, thin shreds get way crispier.