Found this on GoNintendo, very interesting read.
http://www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/189
Summation for those who don't want to read the whole deal:
http://www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/189
Summation for those who don't want to read the whole deal:
“The plastics most commonly used to make the structural cases for electronic equipment are polypropylene, impact styrene, and ABS,” replied Deanin. “These all tend to discolor and embrittle gradually when exposed to UV and/or heat. They become oxidized and develop conjugated unsaturation, which produces color. They crosslink or degrade, which causes brittleness.”