It appears that Americans have simply re-discovered what the much of the world (Europe+Asia) have known for a long time - pressure cookers are safe and make cooking simpler.
My family has been using those for 30+ years, and of course I bought one when I moved out. Apart from the occasional failing sealing ring (every 4 years or so), they are low maintenance and consistently produce good meals. You have to watch that you don't burn the bottom though when you are cooking for 2+ hours - just don't turn up the heat too much.
It's not so much a rediscovery. American's just feel that pressure cookers are unsafe, so they are scared to use them. I've been a long-time pressure cooker user and I've had tons of people say something about them blowing up or "making crazy noises".
Indeed, pressure cookers are such a no-brainer in India. Every household have had them over more than a couple of generations. I for sure have not heard of accidents.
A typical Indian reaction to this story would be, "what's all this fuss about, its a pressure cooker for god's sake, you add the ingredients and you cook."
