# weirdly antiquated technological dead ends that are still a part of modern life **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 25, 2004, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245 "2004-06-25T22:07:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2004, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/41 "2004-06-26T15:12:42Z")
> [@](#): > > Helicopters: Didn’t Da Vinci invent these things centuries ago? It seems like a missing link between the kite and the boeing 747, a historical anecdote that should have disappeared long ago. And they still don’t work - just look at how many casualities in Iraq have been the result of helicopters suddenly “not working” and going “blam!” The safest single-engine aircraft in the U.S. is the Bell JetRanger – a helicopter. Leonardo had some ideas about an airscrew, but it wasn’t until early last Century that anyone made a helicopter that worked. And helicopters work very well, thankyouverymuch. I’d like to see a 747 hover over a floundering ship and pluch the crew off in a basket! Johnn L.A. Private Pilot, Helicopter ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2004, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/42 "2004-06-29T20:20:25Z")
> [@Napier](#): > > Most of what’s in my pockets - money, keys, credit and debit cards, license, checkbook - these things are all just forms of ID. And fallible ones at that. Why don’t fingerprint or retina or iris readers replace every damn one of these stupid old things? Well I don’t know about you, but I’d rather a mugger take my wallet than my thumb or eye. But fax machines are pointless. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2004, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/43 "2004-06-29T21:11:21Z")
**Dental tools!** After my last teeth-cleaning ordeal, I went to my doctor for leech application, some bleeding, and a consult for trepaning. Man, how medieval an experience _is_ that!? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2004, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/44 "2004-06-29T22:39:22Z")
> [@Cowgirl Jules](#): > > Sewers. > > Not that I have an alternative, but I just had a pleasant evening of SDMB browsing interrupted by an ominous burbling from my toilet. Which developed into a full-scale spontaneous overflow. And it just happens to be the evening after they did some mysterious maintenance on my sewer main line today. Ever have a septic tank to deal with. I lived in a house with one probably 100 years old. When they put sewers in it was a cause to rejoice. In this house we had problems, but once we learned how to rent the reamer, and where the access is, we’ve had no problems. Of course a little black hole at the end of the line would be real nice… ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/45 "2004-06-30T02:22:23Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > … Toilet paper. Toilet paper? And what would you propose we do instead?? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/46 "2004-06-30T02:35:06Z")
> [@Nametag](#): > > Jewelry. Culturally, it’s so primitive that I’m surprised that women don’t grunt their thanks before being dragged off by the hair. I feel so strongly about this that I didn’t bother reading anything past this post. Finally, someone who understands me! And as a “rider”, I submit tattoos. I consider myself so far from the trees that bobbles and trinkets and ink on my body are an unthinkable option (but, to my shame or credit, depending on who you ask, I do wear a wedding ring, and NOTHING ELSE! And I don’t like it. :mad: ). I’ll also add any electricity not generated by atomic power. Its safe folks! Look at the French!(and all those other countrys that use it…except the Ex-USSR. They did it wrong.) However, this question brings up an important idea. Mainly, there are some things that simply don’t warrent any further investment in technology. I’m sure there are more efficient ways to keep bread fresh, but the simple plastic clip or “wire in paper” tie work perfectly fine. Sometimes low tech is perfectly fine. Hell, HD has made millions off it! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/47 "2004-06-30T02:42:11Z")
I’m not going to call housing a dead-end technology, but isn’t it about time for some kind of major breakthrough in home construction? Surely, a modest home doesn’t have to cost two or three years’ salary and take the full-time efforts of twenty people for three months to build? There were those dome-homes that got some publicity in the 80s, but I haven’t seen much of them since; surely there are options that are reasonably affordable and energy-efficient, but don’t resemble Buckminster Fuller’s fever-dream? ---
**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:** [June 30, 2004, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/48 "2004-06-30T04:03:32Z")
> [@jackelope](#): > > Surely, a modest home doesn’t have to cost two or three years’ salary and take the full-time efforts of twenty people for three months to build? Well, a ‘modest’ home doesn’t cost all that much. These days, anyone building a \<4br \<2500sqft home is apparently a fool 😕 ---
**Author:** ![kalex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dfb087/32.png) [@kalex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kalex)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/49 "2004-06-30T04:12:49Z")
I have a prediction - within a few years, no one will carry checkbooks. I have on line banking and a debit card. I almost never write checks anymore. But I insist on keeping my jewelry and toilet paper! (I keep them in different places, thank you.) ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/50 "2004-06-30T06:03:11Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > Toilet paper? And what would you propose we do instead?? Isn’t that the point of the thread? Things that we _should_ have replaced by now, except that nobody’s come up with a solution? ---
**Author:** ![holdmytail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecae2f/32.png) [@holdmytail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holdmytail)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/51 "2004-06-30T06:17:12Z")
> [@ianzin](#): > > Similarly, it’s very primitive to use little wooden boxes (violins) for high notes and large wooden boxes ( double bass) for low notes and have all the sizes in-between. :eek: Don’t diss the violin! Long live my beloved violin! ---
**Author:** ![holdmytail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecae2f/32.png) [@holdmytail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holdmytail)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/52 "2004-06-30T06:22:30Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > Toilet paper. > > Not that I’d want to go _without_ it, but…I mean, you’d think that we’d have come up with something a little more advanced (and yet in common use) by the 21st century. Hahaha like a butt vaccum! When I went to Brazil I found that a lot of people there use little butt showers that come out from the wall of the bathroom instead of butt tissue. I thought it was pretty gross though considering the splatter risk. ---
**Author:** ![RindaRinda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dfb087/32.png) [@RindaRinda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RindaRinda)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/53 "2004-06-30T06:27:30Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > Isn’t that the point of the thread? Things that we _should_ have replaced by now, except that nobody’s come up with a solution? Here in Japan, there are toilet attachments that spray a stream of water at your bum (you can control temp and strength of the spray). Then, with a press of the “dry” button, your behind gets blow-dried! Problem is, this takes more time than TP, though it does a better job. ---
**Author:** ![holdmytail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecae2f/32.png) [@holdmytail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holdmytail)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/54 "2004-06-30T06:33:59Z")
> [@RindaRinda](#): > > Here in Japan, there are toilet attachments that spray a stream of water at your bum (you can control temp and strength of the spray). Then, with a press of the “dry” button, your behind gets blow-dried! > > Problem is, this takes more time than TP, though it does a better job. Ooooh fancy. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/55 "2004-06-30T07:57:44Z")
> [@mike1dog](#): > > Incandescent lightbulbs: Why can’t these last more than three months? I know flourescent bulbs are available, but most of my fixtures have very visible bulbs, and flourescent bulbs don’t really look good. I’ve been systematically replacing my house lights with fluorescent lamps (every time an incandescent goes, it is replaced by fluorescent; in the case of those where the actual lamp glass will be visible, I’ve been using [the spiral ones](http://www.hi-light-hk.com/product%20picture/6-1.jpg) (although mine are more compact and elegant than this example) - I think they have an aesthetic appeal all of their own. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/56 "2004-06-30T12:57:48Z")
Yes, women sometimes do grunt their thanks when you give them jewelry before you drag them off by the hair. It’s what they do after that, that’s the point of jewelry. It can get … primitive. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/57 "2004-06-30T12:59:13Z")
Plumbing. It really hasn’t changed since Roman times. ---
**Author:** ![maniondl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@maniondl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maniondl)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/58 "2004-06-30T15:31:44Z")
Okay, so I’ve decided to perform the public service of proposing potential replacements for toilet paper. I’ll be filing the patents shortly 🙂 **Butt Vacuum 3000™** (naming credit goes to whoever posted it before) Uses the awesome power of suction. I envision it as a sort of shop vac you can sit on. Press the button and whisk your worries away. Advantages - Fast, easy. No wasteful paper products, no “splash factor” Disadvantage - At best, butt hickies. At worst, having to retrieve your colon from the Butt Vacuum **Splash-omatic ™** Kind of like if General Dynamics built a bidet. Gets rid of anything not firmly attached. Optional accessories include a clean, fresh scent. Advantages - You’ll be sooooo clean. Disadvantages - It’s an “inside and out” kind of clean. Plus the embarrasing “splash factor” \*\* RolloBrush ™\*\* I see this as one of those rolling soapy foam brush things from the car wash. Mount up and ride your way to freshness. Advantages - Gives you a soothing massage while it cleans. Disadvantages - You may not want a soothing massage there. Plus, depending on the rotation speed and direction, might be a little tough on the guys. :eek: One of these babies is going to make me rich. Or sued out of existence. Either way, you heard it here first. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/59 "2004-06-30T18:15:03Z")
> [@Exgineer](#): > > Actually, mechanical wristwatches are still necessary in some cases. Strong Em fields or ionizing radiation will turn your $400 watch into so much inert jewelry in no time (of course in the latter case you have bigger problems than buying a new watch). > > I like watches the same way I like guns. Purely mechanical, no computers involved, and they work. Check out the [Curta Calculator](http://www.vcalc.net/cu.htm), an all-mechanical calculator the size of a salt shaker. ---
**Author:** ![Mayfield\_St.Cloud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/67e7ee/32.png) [@Mayfield\_St.Cloud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mayfield_St.Cloud)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2004, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245/60 "2004-06-30T18:23:17Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > Toilet paper? And what would you propose we do instead?? I’d like to nominate those men’s ties that **El\_Kabong** mentioned. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weirdly-antiquated-technological-dead-ends-that-are-still-a-part-of-modern-life/252245.md?page=4)