marcopolo

IMHO, there are very few inventions that we have that can be described as perfect. Things that are simple, do exactly the job they are designed for, don't break, no unneeded bellsnwhistles, etc.

In this vein, I offer:

The toilet seat.

Yes, I was just ... pondering, just how wonderful this little thing is. It seems to fit everyone, it has evolved over Millenia, it is comfortable, and while there might be slight differences (color, material, open notch in the front, etc.) they are all essentially the same. Yes, I believe that the toilet seat is one of man's perfect inventions. ( Sorry , no urinal in the basement bathroom remodeling project for those of you who remember back that far . )

The wheel .

Though one could argue it wasn't so much invented as it was found

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uncle phil

how about that paper clip...

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"We will take our napalm and flame throwers out of the land that scarcely knows the use of matches...
We will leave you your small joys and smaller troubles."
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ARTelevision

the simple machines:

lever
inclined plane
wheel and axle
screw
wedge
pulley

They are so perfect they reveal not only how the physical world works but how our minds work as well!

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Binder

the wooden top

troit

My idea of the perfect invention -- cell phone. I don't know how I lived without it. Don't even have a land line at the house.

*stands back and waits to be pelted with comments*


You just think this because you can't have a urinal in your basement! Seriuously what ever happened with that?

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Unknown Poster

Isn't a screw just a modified inclined plane? I think I remember that from school.

TaLoN

i can't think of anything that doesn't break. so i offer the toothbrush as a "perfect invention". simple in design, inexpensive, and does a great job

Grondar

I don't own a cell phone, and I feel like I may be the only one in my county that doesn't.

They do seem like amazing devices, I just have the viewpoint that I don't want to be "bothered" by phones away from home.

I don't use the phone much anyway, so this is also probably the reason I don't own a cell phone, as I would rarely use it and it would be a waste to pay for every month.

I will admit they are indeed very convienent, and even amazing, I just don't see the need for one at this point in my life.

As for it being the "perfect invention" I am not sure. I guess it all depends on your viewpoint, as I personally would not see it being entirely negative if they were removed from civilization.

But that is my opinion, based solely on the fact that I don't use them, and have no desire to.

Interesting side note.. I was talking to a friend who was studying abroad in Japan, and one of the more interesting things he told me was that in Japan, they don't have toilet seats, as they don't sit at all when doing "their business."

From what I gathered they just squatted over a "basin" and went to work. This initially seemed like quite a unique talent that would be rather difficult, but quite important, to master.

ARTelevision

Unknown Poster,
in some ways, yes.
at this level everything is a modified something else.
the principle is gaining mechanical advantage
which is another way to say "leverage".
See the root "lever" in there.
For me, the discussion of the simple machines is a philosophical one.
Thanks for your input in that direction!

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etla

It's like that in Thailand. Must be old washrooms in Japan though. The Japanese have really cool toilets with built in bidets, heated seats, blow dryers for your butt, multiple flush settings. Some of them play music to mask the tinkle noises.

rockogre

Sorry about the urinal thing Marco, we gave it a shot.

I nominate the humble bucket. When you need a bucket little else will suffice.

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ratbastid

Little Red Wagon.

Think back. When you were a kid with a wagon, weren't you just about the happiest kid in the world?

phoenix1002

The original super soakers!
I'm talking about the 150s or whatever number they were. Before all the "constant pressure system" and "instant fill" things came out.
Those things shot better than any other water gun out there, and never broke. My old super soaker still works, and has lasted longer than any of the newer ones that I've purchased.

In the same line, the original Nerf guns. Again, they were tough as nails, and they actually shot the darts. The new ones are weak, and break after the first good fight.

Sorry to hear you lost the urinal battle, Marco... I guess some fights you just can't win.

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boatguy234

00

World's King

The modern toaster and coffee pot... I love those things.

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Prophecy

For my part I suggest the chair. Yep, its simple and its effective. It comes in many designs, shapes and sizes, three legs and four. The chair is wonder unto itself. When I come home from work the first I thing I look forward to is sitting in my chair, there I can sit and do nothing but rest. The chair is even portable, though some more so than other mind you. The chair is a marvel so similar to the toilet seat that they must be cousin. But the chair is so much better for the simple reason that its softer and in some cases the chair comes with its own foot rest. From sitting in my chair in front of the boobtube, to resting on the deck in the breeze, to relaxing by the fire, the chair is the item enjoy most in my house.

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John_Gault

Far and away the greatest discovery/invention since the simple machines is .....toilet paper.

Though I am please they are around, I can live without toilet seats (our asian bretheren rarely use them in public restrooms) and tooth brushes. Paper clips and cell phones are great luxuries but we've all gotten along without them from time to time. The TiVo is a great little gadget but strictly for fun and I can sit on the floor if there isn't a comfy chair around. But I submit to you that a life without toilet paper is a lesser life indeed.

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Cynthetiq

hmmm... fulcrum... great for launching your peas at your significant other.

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Prophecy

Ah, you haven't lived till you experienced the joys of using leaves in wilderness, searching for those special leaves that are poisonus is just another part of the fun....

Acoustica

The mouse.. can you imagine pushing tab to transfer between links? Screw the keyboard!

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i8one2

the microwave is my nomination

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Grondar

Now that you mention it, maybe he is in China. Would that make more sense for them to have "toilets" similiar to the ones mentioned above?

Actually, now that I think of it, I am pretty sure it was indeed China and not Japan that he is studying abroad in.

My mistake.

rs8001

I am so dissappointed about the urinal. I hope I can one day pick up on your valiant effort Marco.

John_Gault

I think most asian countries use the "squatting" toilets in thier public restrooms. I was in Japan a few years back and most of the public rooms had squatters and all of the private ones had really bad ass heated, squirty, blow drying sitters. They really are quite nice.

arael

The wheel....

Johnny Rotten

I like those bras that open from the front.

The Internet is a close second.

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MSD

Roaming.

An I agree with Johnny Rotten that the front-opening bra is great, even if I've never had the chance to operate one.

SaltPork

I can't believe no one has said Porn. I mean really, I don't need a toilet seat if I have porn. I'm a little disappointed in you people.

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orbital

The transformer. It is over 98% efficient in most circumstances, and has made possible the vast proliferation of electronic modern conveniences.

gibber71

Twist off bottle caps

BoCo

scissors and door knobs

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scarebearjinx

nitendo systems
i don't know what i would if i didn't have my playstation. it keeps me occupied and i'm not annoying everyone.

Liquor Dealer

I was thinking zippers...

Binder

the tonka dumptruck.
the old ones that were made of metal not the new plastic toys. those trucks lasted forever.

bubbaspike

The internet
Heh its not perfect [ don't we know it ] but probably the best invention in the last 200 years

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phoenix1002

I don't know... I've gotten along fine without a microwave for quite a long time-19 years of my life, actually. We have one now, but I really don't use it for much more than popcorn. Really, anything you can do in a microwave, you can do on a stove.

Except maybe making it blow up by putting an egg inside... I've never seen anyone do that with a stove.

__________________
I'd rather be climbing...

I approach college much like a recovering alcoholic--one day at a time...

uncle phil

scotch tape...

velcro...

sundial...

__________________
"We were wrong, terribly wrong. (We) should not have tried to fight a guerrilla war with conventional military tactics against a foe willing to absorb enormous casualties...in a country lacking the fundamental political stability necessary to conduct effective military and pacification operations. It could not be done and it was not done."
- Robert S. McNamara
-----------------------------------------
"We will take our napalm and flame throwers out of the land that scarcely knows the use of matches...
We will leave you your small joys and smaller troubles."
- Eugene McCarthy in "Vietnam Message"
-----------------------------------------
never wrestle with a pig.
you both get dirty;
the pig likes it.

rsl12

going back to the original post...

the toilet seat is *not* perfect. I would suggest that you look at the direction of toilets in japan/korea: the squatting toilet is far superior. bowel movements go out much much easier, there is much less splash, and there is less contamination of butt cheek to pocelain.

that being said, i once lost pair of sunglass i put in my pocket because i squatted too deeply...

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SecretMethod70

The fork. We will never create a better fork.

(I left the knife out because the quality varies from manufacturer - some are not so good and some are great, and the spoon is left out because different depths and widths can be explored.)

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BubblegumTeflon

What about the Spork SecretMethod70?