# Someone Needs to Invent **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 31, 2022, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689 "2022-01-31T16:20:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/41 "2022-02-01T23:13:54Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > I wonder what happened to them They’re called twist pins. Dritz makes them. Sewing stores sell them, such as Joann’s Fabric store. $3 for 10 pins. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/42 "2022-02-01T23:16:53Z")
NICE!! I _would_ appreciate a report – at your leisure, thanks! ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/43 "2022-02-01T23:20:11Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > They’re installing a recirculating system in our house right now. I can let you know how it works > > > A recirculation system connects the farthest point of a plumbing system back to a water heater with a [plumbing line that becomes a dedicated loop of hot water](https://www.thespruce.com/get-instant-hot-water-1824892). Hot water is always circulating through the system, so it is available at every faucet immediately, Isn’t that going to make the water heater draw a lot more power? You’re effectively also making it run a radiator line. And, in hot weather, I’d think it would add to the load on any air conditioning system. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/44 "2022-02-01T23:22:33Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > A bleep buster. > > Code would be embedded in programs and your TV would decipher them like it does for closed captioning. You would be able to disable the bleeps shows use to cover up offensive language. > > Nothing anyone says on TV is more offensive to me than those irritating bleeps. Even better would be clips of your avatar’s pseudo-cursing. Racken bracken… ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/45 "2022-02-01T23:23:36Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Isn’t that going to make the water heater draw a lot more power? You’re effectively also making it run a radiator line. > > And, in hot weather, I’d think it would add to the load on any air conditioning system. Yeah. You would think. Luckily, we don’t use the AC much around here. The heat is usually welcome. Funny thing is, our contractor didn’t even ask us if we wanted this, he just thinks its a great idea made it happen. (don’t get me started) We probably would have approved of the plan, as it does sound pretty cool to have instant hot water. I’m skeptical, but hopeful. We should know in about two weeks if it works. I doubt I’ll ever be able to quantify the load on the water heater. (we have two electric cars, and electric heat, so it would have to be a huge increase for us to notice) ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/46 "2022-02-01T23:41:57Z")
We’ve had hot water recirc for 20 years. It’s awesome, although you don’t want it running 24/7. It’ll use some excess energy and wear out the pump. We have it on an Alexa plug right now, so it has a morning and evening schedule, and you can turn it on with voice commands when needed. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/47 "2022-02-01T23:50:17Z")
> [@Tride](#): > > We’ve had hot water recirc for 20 years. It’s awesome, although you don’t want it running 24/7. It’ll use some excess energy and wear out the pump. That’s cool. I have no idea how it works I assume I’ll get a tutorial when we occupy our house again. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/48 "2022-02-02T00:08:17Z")
Some years back, _This Old House_ was touting this technology (I don’t remember what it’s called) that was basically a small-ish electric heater attached to the water line at each sink. I don’t recall if this eliminated a water heater completely – I hope not. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/49 "2022-02-02T00:11:19Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > They’re called twist pins. Dritz makes them. Sewing stores sell them, such as Joann’s Fabric store. $3 for 10 pins. Goodness, they still make them! And they look identical to the ones she had. Amazing after 60 years or so. Thanks for knowing their name. ---
**Author:** ![steepone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/977dab/32.png) [@steepone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steepone)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/50 "2022-02-02T00:19:59Z")
My dryer has the vent in the front just under the door ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/51 "2022-02-02T00:20:43Z")
You can buy under the sink instant hot water heaters. > [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Some years back, _This Old House_ was touting this technology (I don’t remember what it’s called) that was basically a small-ish electric heater attached to the water line at each sink. I don’t recall if this eliminated a water heater completely – I hope not. Yes, like I said, but they do for one sink, washing machine or shower. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/52 "2022-02-02T00:24:55Z")
> [@steepone](#): > > My dryer has the vent in the front just under the door I hate you! 🤣 😉 Where does the (I assume) vent tube head off to? ---
**Author:** ![steepone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/977dab/32.png) [@steepone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steepone)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/53 "2022-02-02T00:37:01Z")
There is no vent tube, it just blows out of the front of the dryer, like this one > **[Dryers](https://www.harveynorman.com.au/vacuum-laundry-appliances/washing-machines-dryers/dryers)** > > Discover washer dryer combos as well as tumble, vented & condenser clothes dryers @ Harvey Norman. Shop top brands like Fisher & Paykel & Electrolux, today! ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/54 "2022-02-02T01:03:30Z")
My Dish Hopper has a button for this. I’ve never used it though as my wife lets me run the TV in the living room. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/55 "2022-02-02T01:36:09Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > Goodness, they still make them I started sewing about 1963 or so. Twist pins were around then and, yes, they remain unchanged. Handy little buggers! I’m kind of a sewing notions nerd~wait til they start asking about bodkins or darning eggs. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/56 "2022-02-02T02:43:48Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > - **Cars that have electro-mechanical controls, no touch screens, and are not designed around the entertainment system.** I realize we’ve had computer components in cars for decades now, but I’m getting fed up with how they run the whole show. More bells and whistles = more stuff to break. Let’s get back to simpler cars, or go fully automated and take humans completely out of the loop. One or the other. I can see the appeal in what you’re suggesting, especially after the clock in the navigational system in my 2010 Honda decided this month to [reset to 12:00 on January 1, 2002](https://jalopnik.com/honda-clocks-are-stuck-20-years-in-the-past-and-this-mi-1848306970) every time the car is started. Supposedly it’s caused by a bit flip error (more or less; I’m vague on the cause). Or how some Toyota Prius odometers just [stop recording mileage at 299,999 miles](https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/heres-something-amazing-about-toyota-prius-odometers-275090). Or how a small number of Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles suddenly [show the digital dashboard display upside down](https://jalopnik.com/hyundai-just-issued-a-recall-for-a-hilariously-unexpect-1848442866). ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/57 "2022-02-02T05:13:08Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > > [@pkbites](#): > > > > A bleep buster. > > > > Code would be embedded in programs and your TV would decipher them like it does for closed captioning. You would be able to disable the bleeps shows use to cover up offensive language. > > > > Nothing anyone says on TV is more offensive to me than those irritating bleeps. > > Even better would be clips of your avatar’s pseudo-cursing. Racken bracken… Racken bracken is actual profanity in the cartooniverse. I can’t translate it here because we are not in the Pit. And it’s not an avatar it is a portrait. Eventually you’ll realize that Sam and I are one in the same. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/58 "2022-02-02T05:52:07Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Some years back, _This Old House_ was touting this technology (I don’t remember what it’s called) that was basically a small-ish electric heater attached to the water line at each sink. I don’t recall if this eliminated a water heater completely – I hope not. The is [at least one thread here](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tankless-water-heaters-what-do-you-think/705602) on the subject. The gas ones, I think, work better, but AAUI the design requires small-diameter tubing to work well, which makes them susceptible to calcification. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/59 "2022-02-02T05:56:27Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > A couch cover that stays on the couch. I keep our couch and loveseat covered because that’s where the dogs can usually be found. I want to see couch cushion covers with heavy-duty zippers all around the edges, with the matching zippers on the cushions. So just zip the covers to the cushions. I’d like to see that for bedcovers to, with matching zippers around the sides of the mattress. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/60 "2022-02-02T06:03:47Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > The shoulder belt needs to come out of the seat itself (up near the headrest) and not off the doorframe where it cuts your frickin’ throat. This. I’ve long been in the habit of putting the shoulder belt under my shoulder so it crosses my chest at armpit level instead of across my neck. > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Seat belts that are designed for people with breasts. No idea how this works for such people, sorry. One such will need to try it and report back here. ETA: I’d just as soon have a four-point harness like we have in small sporty aircraft or gliders. They look something like this: [https://sep.yimg.com/ay/wescoperformance/4-point-seat-belts-push-button-buckle-charcoal-shown-1.jpg](https://sep.yimg.com/ay/wescoperformance/4-point-seat-belts-push-button-buckle-charcoal-shown-1.jpg) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689.md?page=4)