How'd they think of that?

[Lohman446]

Ok, thread rules - seemingly everyday items that have been around that we take forgranted.

I was reloading a stapler today, something we all use, so simple and taken for granted. Look at all the thought that went into it - I mean the staples come in a long string - the depresser is made just the right width to punch one of them off the line, the little thing below turns the staples so they don't poke you. I have one from like the 40s and aside from the depressor is its own piece (you push it down to push the top piece down rather than jsut one long top piece you can push) its functionally the same. Think of the hurdles, you had to manufacture "staples" in a standard size (I know there used to be others) and the brands conformed. I look back at this "simple" technology, the hurdles that had to be overcome for them to be as common as they are and I'm like

[bofh]

Read a book. Infact, read a book by Henry Petroski

List of his books

"The Pencil" and the "The Evolution of Useful Things" you will love, and your brain will asplode.

Those books are exactly about how simple things developed.

[skife]

Ok, thread rules - seemingly everyday items that have been around that we take forgranted.

I was reloading a stapler today, something we all use, so simple and taken for granted. Look at all the thought that went into it - I mean the staples come in a long string - the depresser is made just the right width to punch one of them off the line, the little thing below turns the staples so they don't poke you. I have one from like the 40s and aside from the depressor is its own piece (you push it down to push the top piece down rather than jsut one long top piece you can push) its functionally the same. Think of the hurdles, you had to manufacture "staples" in a standard size (I know there used to be others) and the brands conformed. I look back at this "simple" technology, the hurdles that had to be overcome for them to be as common as they are and I'm like

lohman, you think to dang much.

but sometimes i do too, like i'll be working on a car and think of how people thought of stuff, like hydralic brakes, how did that invention come about? it just interests me.

[paintbattler]

I used to take all those little things for granted. But now, I don't. I appreciate everything from my shoes on my feet to the house over my head. A couple of weeks ago, I got in a car wreck, and I was lucky to survive. It just started to make me think about the stuff that I have everyday.

[Destructo6]

How about the disposeable razor?

Prior to WWI and King Camp Gillette, you pretty much had to go to your barber for a shave. He was influenced by the inventor of the disposeable Crown Cork bottle cap.

[skife]

How about the disposeable razor?

Prior to WWI and King Camp Gillette, you pretty much had to go to your barber for a shave. He was influenced by the inventor of the disposeable Crown Cork bottle cap.

i wish i could go to a barber and get a shave, i think it would be fun.

[OysterBoy]

Any good barber still will.

I have photos of absolute vintage disposable razors; the ink and logos ae sooo simple but it all works.

[TheDuelist]

I'd like to know who invented the little umbrellas they put in your drinks. Now that guy has a racket going.

[WickeDKlowN]

i wish i could go to a barber and get a shave, i think it would be fun.

The lady that cuts my hair always uses a straight razor on the back my neck and it scares the hell out of me. I'm afraid I'll accidentally make a sudden movement and she's gonna slit my throat or something.

I'd like to know who invented the little umbrellas they put in your drinks. Now that guy has a racket going.

When I was really little, I was a resteraunt(the Olive Garden I believe) and I stuck one of those sword tooth picks in my eye. Some how, I managed to just stick it in the corner of my eye so it didn't do any damage but it sure freaked my mom out.