One nice thing about this type of switch, though, is that they are often 3-way allowing you to have the lamp at on at different intensity levels.
It doesn’t matter what teletext or line-21 is referenced to: you can put it anywhere you want, on any output device you want.
I disagree. The kind where you clap it on and clap it off is the best kind. 
I understand what Novelty Bobble means about bedside lamps and “clicky wheel” switches. I housesit for a friend sometimes. She has a rather tall lamp on her bed stand with one of those switches. When I go to bed, I like to read or peruse Instagram for a bit. In the process, I get all nice and warm and comfy. Then, when I want to go to sleep, I have to turn and hoist myself on one elbow and then reach waaay up in order to get to the switch. Then I have to get comfy all over again. Even if it were a standard height bed lamp, it would still be a stretch.
My current bed lamp has an inline switch. I have it hanging to the side of my bed stand. Sure, the cord takes up some real estate on the table top, but I’m willing to sacrifice that for the sake of a minimum of movement when I’m ready to sleep.
I solved the bedside lamp problem with a combination of Insteon switch, Hue bulbs, a Mac mini server, and “hey, Siri!” This is probably overkill for most people, though.
OK, I discovered another one today.
I was digging in my 2016 Ford Escape’s center console to find some change, and I noticed that some pennies had fallen into the open cigarette lighter socket. The socket is positioned so that it faces up, and the diameter is perfect to fit a penny. I’m going to have to get some sticky tape to remove the change, and remember to put a plug into the socket to keep this from happening again.
I thought you were talking about the in-line, on the cord, rotating wheel switch, which sometimes is also within the lamp shade.
This was the first Simpsons reference I thought of…
I’m surprised you didn’t have electrical-type excitement: sparks or a blown fuse. :eek:
Yeah, me too!
But, when I pulled all the pennies out (there were three), I found that the center contact is slightly recessed. Luckily.
ETA: I decided that the socket is perfect for holding my lip balm.
Europa is on it. Why are we (USA) so slow to adopt sensible designs and sensible ideas in general (coughhealthcarecough)?
PS: I haven’t read the whole thread yet so maybe one of our European Dopers already posted something similar. It’s very difficult for me to hold an idea in my head until I’ve read an entire thread.
Yes. I think that’s applicable. It’s like how in some cultures people are taught early on to use only their right hand for certain things (e.g. eating) and their left hand for a set of other things (e.g. wiping after defecation and flushing).
You mean blowenfusen und spitzensparken? 
Not if you sit facing the wall!
Edit: Awww…see cohane bit me to it!
So, a question. Did anyone else do this when they were a kid to prevent falling in? And yes, I did fall in a few times and kept up the habit until I was way too old!
seat belt retractors will work for a year or so and then they don’t.
Your car’s turn signals will continue to flash after you’ve completed your turn, but will shut off if you make a 1/8" correction with your steering wheel while turning.
I guess I’m the only one who flushes by standing to the side of the toilet, so my right arm doesn’t cross anything?
I mean, sure, that’s not possible in restrooms stalls, but most I’ve seen are automated now, so that’s not a problem. Though, yes, back then, I used my left hand, without even thinking about it. It’s no different than automatically using my left hand when my right hand is holding something. I only need my right hand for fine motor tasks.
And besides, you have that nice little shelf in front of you to set your comic books and chocolate milk on.
And why do they put the antenna in such a spot that it it in the way when you need to scrape the ice off the windshield? Isn’t there somewhere - anywhere - else on the car they could put it?