Funny you should mention the 555 Spec, at my last job we were forbidden from using the part (At the time, did not know why only it was off-limits). Anyways I been reading a lot of old articles from Analog Jedi Bob Pease, I came across this bit where Mr. Pease gives his opinion on the ubiquitous 555.
Quoted from Source:
https://electronicdesign.com/analog/what-s-all-555-timer-stuff-anyway
Pease replied in his characteristically straightforward way. He noted:
“Hi, Jeff H., I have almost
never used a 555. Maybe never? I use op-amps,
LM324's,
LM311's,
LF356's. I use
74HC04's and
74C14's but not 555's. I've used ECL fast logic, and discrete transistors. But the 555 just does not do anything precise, or even semi-precise, that I need done. So that's one thing I can "share" - my favorite circuit to use a 555, is: a blank piece of paper. Never touch the things. Go ahead and print that. / rap”