If you go backwards in a tree of a given technological advancement, you often get an assortment of benefits and setbacks, which tend to go together. Typically, the older the technological iteration, the more reliable and self-contained it is. That is, once you purchase it, you are free to continue using it indefinitely, and it is likely you can keep it up in good shape for its lifetime without the need for additional resources or services. For a simple example, take a regular screwdriver versus an electric one. Straightforward enough.
Now, at the same time that you get greater reliability, you get an increase in labor time, and required labor. In the case of the screwdriver, there are also things you simply can't do with a manual one combined with human muscle: you can't drive screws into wood as easily. But saved labor and convenience is a big one. A lot of older technologies also don't have as many built-in safeties and as much ergonomic relief as new ones.
You can even see this in gradations, such as with the shaving razor. The latest disposable razors are very easy to use, they make quick work of facial hair, and they're difficult to hurt yourself with them. But the razors are constantly wearing out, so you have to constantly buy new ones, the costs add up, and you are producing a constant stream of waste.
Going back, safety razors produce less waste. A single quality disposable razor may last months. But they do take a little more skill to use and maintain.
Further back, with a straight razor, you can buy a good one and have it work for you for life. But it takes a good amount of skill to use and you have to sharpen it, which also takes learning. It takes more time and effort to use. You can also hurt yourself with it.
Some old technologies are simply no longer useful and are obsolete for good reason, while some newer ones are very useful and simple. Some technological trees deteriorate over time and finally bottom out, and so they are reinvigorated out of embarrassment, apology, or determination.
But the bulk of the trend is this: older technologies are developed to simply work, while as economic time passes on, the technologies become much more convenient, labor saving, and in some cases more effective and powerful, but you also have to deal with the pressures of increased material complexity and further dependence, as well as forces like planned obsolescence and capital accumulation, which tend to encourage inferior quality and longevity.
