History Main / TheWorkhorse

!Examples

* Being a LongRunner, the original UC ''{{Franchise/Gundam}}'' series has a few examples. The mass-produced Federation Mobile Suit Jegan, first introduced in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamCharsCounterattack'' is still in service in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamF91'' three decades later, though this has more to do with the fact that there were few major conflicts in the intervening years. The real winner, though, is the Salamis class cruiser, which debuted in the original ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'' and turns up in nearly every sequel and spinoff since, right up to ''Anime/MobileSuitVictoryGundam'', taking place ''74 years later''.

* ''Film/Fury2014'' focuses on the crew of the titular [=M4=] Sherman Tank, which is the standard tank for the United States Armed Forces during World War II. While established early-on as reliable and great against enemy infantry, the Sherman is, both in the film itself and in text to be inferior to its late war German counterparts, particularly the Tiger.

** The Corellian YT-1300 light freighter-- the most famous being the ''Millennium Falcon''-- was designed to be easily customizable, making is useful for any number of roles with the right modifications. Those who don't push things quite as far as the souped-up but notoriously finicky ''Falcon'' tend to find them incredibly reliable, too.

** The ''Miranda''-class frigate is another one, entering service at least as early as [[Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan Khan Noonien Singh's reappearance]] and serving at least as late as the [[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Dominion War]].

* ''Tabletopgame/BattleTech'' has many [[HumongousMecha BattleMech]] models which have seen service for [[ForeverWar centuries of warfare]] (and sometimes, the [[AncestralWeapon individual mechs have seen centuries of combat]]). The [[MightyGlacier Atlas]] is one of the [[SkeleBot9000 most recognizable mechs]], and has seen continued use and upgrades for almost four hundred years. On the other hands, most of the modernized workhorses are only externally similar to their originals; an original production [=AS7-D=] Atlas (2755), for example, shares very few internal components with the more modern [=AS7-K=] Atlas (3050), which carries a completely different fusion reactor design and weapons (dropping the short-ranged Autocannon in favor of a long-ranged [[MagneticWeapon Gauss Rifle]], for example), though it does share the same combat roles - [[FrontlineGeneral frontline command]] and [[TheDreaded intimidation]]. And that four hundred year service history? That's pretty unimpressive compared to a few other mechs like the Banshee or Wasp, which have both been in continual use (and in the case of the Wasp, continual production) for close to 700 years.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}'' The Ares Predator, Ares Alpha and the AK-97 are considered this InUniverse, and are present in every edition of the game. The Predator is a heavy pistol with built-in SmartGun abilities that is considered the trademark sidearm of Shadowrunners (in part because Ares markets the gun as such). The Alpha is the military assault rifle equivalent of the Predator, and most StreetSamurai with a taste for automatics will tote one once they get the budget. The AK-97, finally, is a third-generation AK (see the RealLife section) and still omnipresent on the streets in 2080. It's not nearly as flashy or fancy as the Alpha, but costs less than half on the black market, is street legal with a license in the UCAS, and is the go-to automatic for gangers and aspiring Shadowrunners on a budget.

[[folder:Videogames]]

Compare DamageProofVehicle, OlderIsBetter and BreakOutTheMuseumPiece.

* The American M4 Sherman medium tank was first introduced in 1942 with the British Eigth Army in North Africa. From then on, it became the standard medium tank for the US and British Armies in Europe and the Pacific, with several other militaries such as China and the USSR also using it under the Lend-Lease program. When the Germans began introducing more heavily armed and armored vehicles, the Allies responded by upgunning and upgrading the Sherman, with the [=M4A3=](76)(W) and Sherman Firely being prominent examples. In addition, it also spawned several variants, from open-top tank destroyers, to self-propelled artillery pieces, to mobile rocket launching platorm. Following the war, it would also be exported to a number of US allies such as Israel, where it would be upgraded further.

A Workhorse is a type of vehicle, weapon or other type of equipment, that is so reliable or cost-effective that it's [[LongRunner kept in service for decades]], outlasting other more flashy and advanced types. While the Workhorse might receive some modifications and upgrades during its lifetime, it is never as advanced as its newer cousins. Likely an example of BoringButPractical.

A Workhorse is a type of vehicle, weapon or other type of equipment, that is so reliable or cost-effective that it's kept in [[LongRunner service for decades]], outlasting other more flashy and advanced types. While the Workhorse might receive some modifications and upgrades during its lifetime, it is never as advanced as its newer cousins. Likely an example of BoringButPractical.

** When it comes to starfighters, the bog-standard TIE fighter is [[FragileSpeedster fragile]], undergunned, and not nearly as flashy or intimidating as the dagger-shaped TIE Interceptor or Vader's TIE Advanced prototype, but [[WeHaveReserves throw enough of them]] [[AttackAttackAttack at a problem]] and they'll get the job done.

* ''Film/{{Fury2014}}'' focuses on the crew of the titular [=M4=] Sherman Tank, which is the standard tank for the United States Armed Forces during World War II. While established early-on as reliable and great against enemy infantry, the Sherman is, both in the film itself and in text to be inferior to its late war German counterparts, particularly the Tiger.

* Being a LongRunner, the original UC ''{{Franchise/Gundam}}'' series has a few examples. The mass-produced Federation Mobile Suit Jegan, first introduced in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamCharsCounterattack'' is still in service in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamF91'' three decades later, though this has more to do with the fact that there were few major conflicts in the intervening years. The real winner, though, is the Salamis class cruiser, which debuted in the original ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'' and turns up in nearly every sequel and spinoff since, right up to ''Anime/VictoryGundam'', taking place ''74 years later''.

** Probably the crowning example is the Rhino transport, a converted ''tractor'' (really) that serves the Space Marines not just as an AwesomePersonnelCarrier, but as [[TankGoodness a tank]] (as the Predator) and an artillery platform (the Razorback), and is also used by the [[AmazonBrigade Adepta Sororitas]] (including in flamethrower and anti-tank heat gun configurations). It's even used by the Adeptus Arbites (Imperial police) as a riot vehicle. Like most of the other Imperial examples, it's a Standard Template Construct, which means automated factories on thousands of worlds produced them during humanity's golden age, and while the factories have fallen out of repair, enough of them retained their blueprint data that [=STCs=] are ubiquitous.

* Sony introduced the Dual Analog controller for the original UsefulNotes/PlayStation in April 1997, and refined it into the more famous [=DualShock=] in November of that year, which added force feedback (i.e. vibration). Since then, the [=DualShock=] has served as the main [=PlayStation=] controller through twenty years and [[UsefulNotes/TheFifthGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames four]] [[UsefulNotes/TheSixthGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames separate]] [[UsefulNotes/TheSeventhGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames console]] [[UsefulNotes/TheEighthGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames generations]] [[UsefulNotes/TheNinthGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames and counting]], with only a brief interlude at the start of the UsefulNotes/PlayStation3's run due to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immersion_v._Sony a patent dispute with the Immersion Corporation]] involving the force feedback technology.[[note]]Due to this dispute, the [=PS3=] launched with a controller known as the Sixaxis, which was effectively identical to the later [=DualShock=] 3 barring the lack of vibration. The [=DualShock=] 3 would be released in 2008 after Sony settled the lawsuit and entered a business relationship with Immersion.[[/note]] The only changes made at all since 1997 were the addition of pressure-sensitive analog buttons on the [[UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 DualShock 2]], the addition of wireless connectivity and [[DancingBear (rarely-used) motion sensors]] on the [[UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 DualShock 3]], turning the [=L2=] and [=R2=] buttons into triggers and the Select button into a touchpad on the [[UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 DualShock 4]], and adding adaptive triggers and a slightly more rounded and ergonomic design to the [[UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 DualSense]] (a [=DualShock=] 5 in all but name). Otherwise, the basic form factor and button/analog stick placement of the [=DualShock=] have not only not changed at all, they have informed the design of almost every game controller (barring Creator/{{Nintendo}}'s UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}mote, a throwback to the original [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem NES]] controller) to follow in its wake.

* ''Film/{{Fury}}'' focuses on the crew of the titular [=M4=] Sherman Tank, which is the standard tank for the United States Armed Forces during World War II. While established early-on as reliable and great against enemy infantry, the Sherman is, both in the film itself and in text to be inferior to its late war German counterparts, particularly the Tiger.

* The Panzerkampfwagen IV medium tank was developed by Germany in the late 1930s, alongside the Panzer III medium. The Panzer III was to be the main anti-armor weapon of the panzer divisions, while the Mark IV would be a support tank: it carried mostly high explosive and smoke rounds, and its short 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24 gun was mainly to be used against enemy anti-tank guns, fortifications, and the like. However, after the Germans ran into the T-34 and KV-1 during 1941's Operation Barbarosa they needed to get a more powerful gun into the field, and recognized that the Panzer IV had more room to be up-gunned because of its larger turret ring. From the [=Ausf.F2=] onwards, the Panzer IV had the long 7.5 KwK 40 with much-improved anti-armor performance. The chassis was reliable and versatile, spawning variants such as self-propelled artillery, anti-aircraft vehicles, and armored recovery vehicles. It was the most-produced German tank and the second most-produced German fully-tracked AFV, as well as the only tank Germany had at the start of the war which it was still producing by the end of it.

* Sony introduced the Dual Analog controller for the original UsefulNotes/PlayStation in April 1997, and refined it into the more famous [=DualShock=] in November of that year, which added force feedback (i.e. vibration). Since then, the [=DualShock=] has served as the main [=PlayStation=] controller through twenty years and [[UsefulNotes/TheFifthGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames four]] [[UsefulNotes/TheSixthGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames separate]] [[UsefulNotes/TheSeventhGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames console]] [[UsefulNotes/TheEighthGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames generations]] and counting, with only a brief interlude at the start of the UsefulNotes/PlayStation3's run due to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immersion_v._Sony a patent dispute with the Immersion Corporation]] involving the force feedback technology.[[note]]Due to this dispute, the [=PS3=] launched with a controller known as the Sixaxis, which was effectively identical to the later [=DualShock=] 3 barring the lack of vibration. The [=DualShock=] 3 would be released in 2008 after Sony settled the lawsuit and entered a business relationship with Immersion.[[/note]] The only changes made at all since 1997 were the addition of pressure-sensitive analog buttons on the [[UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 DualShock 2]], the addition of wireless connectivity and [[DancingBear (rarely-used) motion sensors]] on the [[UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 DualShock 3]], and turning the [=L2=] and [=R2=] buttons into triggers and the Select button into a touchpad on the [[UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 DualShock 4]]. Otherwise, the basic form factor and button/analog stick placement of the [=DualShock=] have not changed at all, and has in fact informed the design of almost every game controller (barring Creator/{{Nintendo}}'s UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}mote, a throwback to the original [[UsefulNotes/NintendoEntertainmentSystem NES]] controller) to follow in its wake.

Compare OlderIsBetter and BreakOutTheMuseumPiece.

[[folder:Real life]]

* The Chevrolet Generation I small-block V8 was first used in 1955, and was used to power cars and trucks from every brand in General Motors' lineup except Saturn, a brand created specifically to be separate from the rest of GM's corporate structure. It wasn't until 1992 when GM replaced it with the Generation II small-block, and even then, enough parts were interchangeable with the Gen I that a Gen II engine could easily be dropped into a vehicle built for a Gen I. Variants on the Gen I and Gen II small-blocks remained in production until 2003.

A Workhorse is a type of vehicle, weapon or other type of equipment, that is so reliable or cost-effective that it's kept in service for decades, outlasting other more flashy and advanced types. While the Workhorse might receive some modifications and upgrades during its lifetime, it is never as advanced as its newer cousins. Likely an example of BoringButPractical.

* Similarly, an Indian company bought a license to manufacture several motorcycles designed by British company Royal Enfield in the 1960s, and has carried on making them ever since. They're now being exported back to the UK for classic bike enthusiasts who can't afford an original model.

* The AK-47, the most popular assault rifle of all time, has been around since 1949 and is still in use with several dozen countries. Around 75 million AK-47s have been built, and that's not counting various modernized models such as AKM, AK-74 and AK-12.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}'' The Ares Predator, Ares Alpha and the AK-97 are considered this InUniverse, and are present in every edition of the game. The Predator is a [[HandCannon heavy pistol]] with built-in SmartGun abilities that is considered the trademark sidearm of Shadowrunners (in part because Ares markets the gun as such). The Alpha is the military assault rifle equivalent of the Predator, and most StreetSamurai with a taste for automatics will tote one once they get the budget. The AK-97, finally, is a third-generation AK (see the RealLife section) and still omnipresent on the streets in 2080. It's not nearly as flashy or fancy as the Alpha, but costs less than half on the black market, is street legal with a license in the UCAS, and is the go-to automatic for gangers and aspiring Shadowrunners on a budget.

* The American M4 Sherman medium tank was first introduced in 1942 with the British Eigth Army in North Africa. From then on, it became the standard medium tank for the US and British Armies in Europe and the Pacific, with several other militaries such as China and the USSR also using it under the Lend-Lease program. In addition, it also spawned several variants, from open-top tank destroyers, to self-propelled artillery pieces, to mobile rocket launching platorm. Following the war, it would also be exported to a number of US allies such as Israel, where it would be upgraded further.

** The Excelsior-class starship was introduced during the 2280s. Its design was so versatile that it was still in service during the 2370s, nearly a century later. Many Excelsior-class ships filled the Federation ranks during the Dominion War.
** The Klingon Bird of Prey was introduced during the same decade as the Excelsior-class and it too served during the Dominion War of the 2370s.
** The K't'inga-class Klingon Battlecruiser had roughly the same operational length as the Bird of Prey, even being used alongside newer ships in the Dominion War, over 100 years since they entered service.

* The RL-10 rocket engine family, used as an upper stage engine for space vehicles. There have been upgrades, but the same general design has been in use since 1962, and is still fling today. It's engine cycle probably explains why: in a so called expander cycle engine, hydrogen fuel is used to cool the rocket nozzle, and the heated and evaporated hydrogen drives the turbines that pump fuel into the rocket. This type of cycle with this type of fuel, up to a certain amount of thrust, has a lot of engineering advantages that are hard to beat, so the same basic design can last a long time. (above a certain thrust, expander cycles don't produce enough power to pump enough fuel, so other fuel cycles are used instead which require better technology and more work to develop.)