# Genius Innovations From Other Countries

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genius-innovations-from-other-countries/995811>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [January 9, 2024, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genius-innovations-from-other-countries/995811 "2024-01-09T05:39:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genius-innovations-from-other-countries/995811/1 "2024-01-09T05:39:23Z")

</div>

This thread shows lots of creative solutions to problems you did not know you had. How many of you have seen any of these innovations in the wild?

> **[50 Genius Things Other Countries Have That Make The US Feel Like It’s Living...](https://www.boredpanda.com/ingenious-things-different-countries/)**
>
> Comparing the US to the rest of the world has become a meme in and of itself, but what we do with these comparisons is what will actually matter in the end. Maybe.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genius-innovations-from-other-countries/995811/2 "2024-01-09T06:42:42Z")

</div>

I’ve seen umbrella-vending machines here in Canada, and foot-pedal flushes. I’ve seen outdoor escalators in San Diego since the 1970s. The cap-stays-attached bottles in Italy are surprisingly annoying.

Lots of other innovations. Revenue Canada sends me a little receipt when they’ve finished with my tax return, so I know if they agree or not.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genius-innovations-from-other-countries/995811/3 "2024-01-09T07:15:59Z")

</div>

The stay-attached caps are now pretty ubiquitous in Europe. I see them everywhere. Yeah, they can be annoying if they don’t fold back far enough and touch your face as you drink. But it’s a small price for the reduction of litter.

Now we just need to reduce plastic in the first place…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2024, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genius-innovations-from-other-countries/995811/4 "2024-01-09T07:36:09Z")

</div>

Most of these exist in the US. The one that annoys me the most is the cell phone tower disguised as a palm tree. I worked for a company that made those 25 years ago.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2024, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genius-innovations-from-other-countries/995811/5 "2024-07-07T23:27:04Z")

</div>

They’re pine trees up thisaway.