I like ideas that work. Simple things, mostly, but just plain good ideas that get the job done.
Like 4-way stops. Whoever gets to the intersection first WINS, and your prize is you get to drive away first. I love that! It's uniquely American, blending the concepts of competition with instant gratification. And the beautiful kicker is that it makes the roads safer!
9-1-1. One all-purpose number that's quick and easy to dial, easy to remember, and is a one-stop shop for all emergencies. I understand the number is different for other countries, but the concept is the same. A gorgeous idea and one that WORKS.
Tissue boxes. Magic! They are absolutely magic. With them, the tissues pop up one by one, as you need them. Without the box, the tissues don't work anymore. Now mind you, getting that first one out of the box started with just one tissue can be tough, but after that, it's a breeze. A fantastic invention! And so simple! No wiring, no batteries, no moving parts, sheer brilliance!
Ballpoint pens. A hollow tube, a thinner tube of ink, a spring, a pushbutton clicker, and you have a device capable of transporting the thoughts/pictures/maps/words/ideas stuffed up into your head down through your arm, into your fingers, and out onto a writing surface. And it uses only a pinpoint hole and gravity. And yet, somehow, the ink comes out in - generally - an even, controlled flow. Fantastic!
Those are a few of my favorites. And just because it's Sunday and you deserve a laugh, here's comedian Robert G. Lee wondering about a couple of other inventions.
What's your favorite invention that's simple and just plain WORKS?
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