# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2022, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/81 "2022-02-02T23:47:28Z")
> [@teelabrown](#): > > A balm or ointment that actually works on chapped lips and peeling cuticles. Have you ever tried Blistex for your lips? Great stuff. [https://www.blistex.com/medicated-lip-balms/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgr\_pjpri9QIVgRCRCh3cEAvJEAAYASAAEgIkq\_D\_BwE](https://www.blistex.com/medicated-lip-balms/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgr_pjpri9QIVgRCRCh3cEAvJEAAYASAAEgIkq_D_BwE) ---
**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 2, 2022, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/82 "2022-02-02T23:57:52Z")
Sort of–typically it goes in the mechanical room and there is a dedicated plumbing loop for it. Limited remodel–yes, that would be the way you accomplish it. There are new systems where there’s a motion sensor in the rooms you want served and it comes on when it senses you in the room! ---
**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 3, 2022, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/83 "2022-02-03T01:34:57Z")
I have a re-circulation pump cross connected between hot & cold in my bathroom. I push the button and it pull from the hot side and pushes it into the cold side. Easy install and it greatly reduces the wait for hot water in the morning. I;m not concerned about the wait at the other faucets. ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2022, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/84 "2022-02-03T03:05:33Z")
Two things: 1. Standardized connections for ceiling and wall mounted light fixtures - something like a camera’s bayonet mount so that installing a ceiling or wall light fixture, or ceiling fan would just be push and twist. Note: I was in the military and have moved houses 20 times in the last 30 years with a ton of installations. 1. Car door handles that are sufficiently secured to the doors such that, after an ice storm, you can actually use the handle to yank open the door. Years ago I once, after an ice storm, had to crawl from the back hatch, which I was able to open, through the two rows of seats to get to the driver’s seat to start the car and warm it up enough to shoulder open the driver’s door; I felt like I was going from the lunar module to the command module. ---
**Author:** ![Steven\_Maven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steven_maven/32/3272_2.png) [@Steven\_Maven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Maven)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2022, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/85 "2022-02-03T03:19:43Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > You’ve all heard of stents, those little springy tubes a surgeon can put into a coronary artery by remote control to forestall having to do a full-scale bypass surgery. Why can’t somebody make one for prostates? Technically the stent would be inside the urethra, but it’s a great idea. ---
**Author:** ![Hatchie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hatchie/32/3983_2.png) [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2022, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/86 "2022-02-03T04:10:51Z")
Flashlights, remotes, anything with batteries where the contacts contact, then they don’t contact unless you jigger them until they do (I’m not even talking about corrosion here, just poorly designed battery comparments that depend on springs that have basically not changed since the nineteenth century.) Same goes for flourescent tube lights, where you twist and twist, trying to get two little pins in line so it doesn’t flicker, then you think you have it, let go and it drops to the floor and shatters. While we’re at it, battery compartment covers that fall off the remote if you drop it, and you will. CD cases where the little plastic pins holding the front door in place break off as soon as you drop it, and you will. ---
**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 3, 2022, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/87 "2022-02-03T05:06:58Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > I’ve only seen this once in my life but it should be standard on everything, keys that have a little light you can turn on so they illuminate the keyhole if you’re in complete darkness. I saw one keymaker at a mall have keys like this 6 years ago but since they no other auto keymaker I found had these available. My car has a circular light around the ignition key-hole that lights up when the car thinks I need to see it. But I’d like to have something similar (either on the keyhole or on the key) for my house key when I come home after dark. ---
**Author:** ![Tilt-A-Whirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e79b87/32.png) [@Tilt-A-Whirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tilt-A-Whirl)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2022, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/88 "2022-02-03T05:20:46Z")
I am not a seatbelt engineer, but it’s my understanding that putting the shoulder belt under your arm is a terrible idea, potentially more dangerous in an accident than not wearing it at all. It’s designed to put the load on your strong shoulder bones, not your easily crushed rib cage. ---
**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 3, 2022, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/89 "2022-02-03T05:32:31Z")
> [@Tilt-A-Whirl](#): > > I am not a seatbelt engineer, but it’s my understanding that putting the shoulder belt under your arm is a terrible idea, potentially more dangerous in an accident than not wearing it at all. It’s designed to put the load on your strong shoulder bones, not your easily crushed rib cage.   I’ve heard a generally similar thing. I guess I’m somewhat taking my chances. But like @thorny_locust , I’m short and the shoulder belt doesn’t really cross in front of my shoulder. It crosses in front of my neck. So besides being totes uncomfortable all the time, I think it could be even more dangerous in an accident. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2022, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/90 "2022-02-03T13:22:25Z")
> [@Steven\_Maven](#): > > > [@AskNott](#): > > > > Why can’t somebody make one for prostates? > > Technically the stent would be inside the urethra, but it’s a great idea. Ladies and Gentlemen… the [Prostatic Stent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostatic_stent). ---
**Author:** ![Chad\_Sudan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chad_sudan/32/4509_2.png) [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2022, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/91 "2022-02-03T13:37:19Z")
> [@velomont](#): > > Standardized connections for ceiling and wall mounted light fixtures - something like a camera’s bayonet mount so that installing a ceiling or wall light fixture, or ceiling fan would just be push and twist. This! Why on earth don’t we have this? ---
**Author:** ![Bonum\_Legatum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bonum_legatum/32/6183_2.png) [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2022, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/92 "2022-02-03T13:40:15Z")
> [@Tilt-A-Whirl](#): > > I am not a seatbelt engineer, but it’s my understanding that putting the shoulder belt under your arm is a terrible idea [Seat Belt Safety: Buckle Up America | NHTSA](https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts#:~:text=The%20lap%20belt%20must%20lie,severe%20injuries%20in%20a%20crash). ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2022, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/93 "2022-02-03T14:13:21Z")
A cat to human translator. ---
**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 3, 2022, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/94 "2022-02-03T14:47:07Z")
All the cars & trucks I’ve owned in the last 20 years have had an adjustment on the door post where the belt attaches. It can slide up and down so the belt doesn’t cut into your neck. Unless you’re way under average height it should work. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2022, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/95 "2022-02-03T14:51:46Z")
> [@kitap](#): > > A cat to human translator. This might destroy the feline pet industry, maybe rethink. ---
**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 3, 2022, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/96 "2022-02-03T14:54:51Z")
My mother is short and she uses a [seat belt adjuster](https://www.amazon.com/Seatbelt-Adjuster-Triangle-Positioner-Protective/dp/B078K5N2BQ) like this one to make it more comfortable for her. So it’s still over the shoulder but I think it cuts into her neck less. ---
**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 3, 2022, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/97 "2022-02-03T14:56:48Z")
Looks like that works, but I wonder if in a crash the cross chest belt will pull loose and snap up to damage her neck? ---
**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 3, 2022, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/98 "2022-02-03T14:58:27Z")
Not that I want to think about that possibility, but perhaps any injury would be mostly abrasions? ---
**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 3, 2022, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/99 "2022-02-03T15:02:28Z")
I’d like to think so, but strange things happen in car crashes. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2022, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689/100 "2022-02-03T15:10:55Z")
> [@GaryM](#): > > strange things happen in car crashes. In high school two of my friends were drinking and driving. The driver ran off the road and hit a tree, and a tree limb punched through the windshield. An ambulance arrived and began work opening the car. The driver regained consciousness at some point and looked to his right, seeing the tree limb and his friend’s torso. He thought his friend’s head had been squished, but the limb was just resting on his shoulder. The driver became hysterical and had to be sedated. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/someone-needs-to-invent/958689.md?page=6)