# What do you think is the most useless development/invention of the last 50 years? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 2, 2018, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888 "2018-11-02T14:05:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Leo\_Krupe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Leo\_Krupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Krupe)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2018, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/162 "2018-11-05T18:56:29Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > easier storage. After your response, I was going to say “build a wall,” but [it’s been done.](https://qz.com/973820/target-used-16000-eggs-to-decorate-a-dinner-party-then-sent-them-to-a-pig-farm/) For the record, I’m left of center and vehemently anti-trump, but pro-joke (even bad ones). ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2018, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/163 "2018-11-05T19:10:45Z")
> [@Limmin](#): > > Yes. I’m catching my son up on the important(?) movies from the last 40 years, which have become cultural touchstones so to speak. And, in a surprisingly large number of them, I have to tell him “ah, well, they’re doing that because they don’t have cell phones, they hadn’t been invented yet.” I kind of feel sorry for those characters running around, clueless about what the other characters are up to, because it was the pre-cellphone world. The cops, at least, were using radios, according to the movies I’ve seen. (Do they still use radios today?) ---
**Author:** ![Brayne\_Ded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Brayne\_Ded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brayne_Ded)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2018, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/164 "2018-11-05T19:51:06Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > The Wankel Rotary Engine. > > Despite it’s ballyhoo, it has been a effective dissappointment in most applications. It has been suggested as an ideal airplane engine, despite the higher fuel consumption, because it produces more power for its size and is far less liable to fail suddenly. What killed it for road use was the fuel consumption. That, and the need to replace the rotor seals every now and again. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2018, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/165 "2018-11-05T19:57:21Z")
> [@Leo\_Krupe](#): > > [The egg cuber](https://www.amazon.com/EGG-CUBER-Square-Maker-BOILED/dp/B00A2T4JKG). I recall Consumer Reports tested one many years ago, and said it worked very well, but wondered why anyone would want an egg in the shape of a cube. > [@Procrustus](#): > > easier storage. Also, you can make deviled eggs that won’t roll off your plate if you’re standing around at a party. ---
**Author:** ![Plumbkrazy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@Plumbkrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plumbkrazy)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2018, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/166 "2018-11-05T22:13:43Z")
If cellphones had existed throughout human history, imagine the lives that could’ve been saved. “Do NOT get on that train, mom and dad. Auschwitz is NOT a vacation destination. I’ll send you a pic.” ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2018, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/167 "2018-11-05T23:13:43Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > Bottled water. > The same stuff you get for free in your kitchen–but now you get the privilege of lugging it home in heavy bottles, and it’s only 50,000% more expensive. > > When it first appeared on the supermarket shelves (about 30 years ago), I thought it was a joke, like the pet rock was in 1975. Depends a lot on where you live. Sometimes bottled water is a filtered version of local tap water. But around here most of it is real spring water and the difference from chlorinated tap water is huge. I tend to buy a lot of it because I’m in constant fear of running out – having to drink tap water instead of beautiful clear cool spring water is a horror! The best that can be said about tap water is that it’s possible to get good quality heavy-duty filtering systems for it that produce results similar to spring water, but they’re expensive and have to be maintained. The last bunch of spring water I got, sourced from a northern Ontario spring, was $1.99 per case of 24. > [@Lumpy](#): > > I’m sure there must have been some reason but I don’t understand why they needed to add screw-top openings to milk cartons and other cardboard liquid containers when for decades we just inverted part of the top into a spout. Because half the time, depending on how the carton top was glued, pulling it apart to get a spout would sometimes work and sometimes result in a shredded mess. The screw-tops are easy to open, just pull out the safety seal once, and you’re done. They also seal better for re-use. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2018, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/168 "2018-11-06T00:03:51Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Depends a lot on where you live. Sometimes bottled water is a filtered version of local tap water. But around here most of it is real spring water and the difference from chlorinated tap water is huge. I tend to buy a lot of it because I’m in constant fear of running out – having to drink tap water instead of beautiful clear cool spring water is a horror! The best that can be said about tap water is that it’s possible to get good quality heavy-duty filtering systems for it that produce results similar to spring water, but they’re expensive and have to be maintained. The last bunch of spring water I got, sourced from a northern Ontario spring, was $1.99 per case of 24. IMHO the best compromise is the 1-gal jugs of spring water, which are much cheaper than the portion-sized bottles. > [@](#): > > Because half the time, depending on how the carton top was glued, pulling it apart to get a spout would sometimes work and sometimes result in a shredded mess. The screw-tops are easy to open, just pull out the safety seal once, and you’re done. They also seal better for re-use. I’m astonished by how many people report having trouble with this; I almost never do. I do suppose better resealability is a plus. ---
**Author:** ![wahsahzii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a6a055/32.png) [@wahsahzii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wahsahzii)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/169 "2018-11-06T03:38:23Z")
> [@yendis](#): > > But for huge swathes of the globe landlines and public phones just didn’t exist, or were far to expensive or infrastructure dependent to install. So cellphones represented the first steps to an interconnected society. A definite benefit in my opinion. Yeah, you should try to get a consistently usable signal where I live. And it is within 30 miles of a major metropolitan area and within 15 miles of an interstate highway. In the Midwest. The wireless network in this country is the laughingstock of the developed world. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/170 "2018-11-06T04:03:35Z")
I get arrowhead spring water delivered for my water cooler ……I cant drink la county tap water anymore with out getting stomach cramps after a bit …… ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/171 "2018-11-06T05:05:59Z")
> [@wahsahzii](#): > > Yeah, you should try to get a consistently usable signal where I live. And it is within 30 miles of a major metropolitan area and within 15 miles of an interstate highway. In the Midwest. The wireless network in this country is the laughingstock of the developed world. I blame an overzealous regulatory system standing in the way of capital flowing at the direction of the invisible hand. I mean…waitaminute… ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/172 "2018-11-06T05:07:14Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > I get arrowhead spring water delivered for my water cooler ……I cant drink la county tap water anymore with out getting stomach cramps after a bit …… Go see a doctor. I have fairly serious intestinal issues and drink tap water with no (additional) problems. ---
**Author:** ![LoneRhino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lonerhino/32/1311_2.png) [@LoneRhino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LoneRhino)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/173 "2018-11-06T07:20:42Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I give you…[The Electric Kazoo!](https://www.amazon.com/Kazoobie-HUMMbucker-Electric-Kazoo-colors/dp/B002GI55PY?fbclid=IwAR1T8hBIOGfi6RmLq9TqITCcJ_dg6HT1JNbhS5CXRLLP_Dt5i-FU5OzYDaY) Why do I have an urge to buy one and run it through a wah-wah pedal? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/174 "2018-11-06T08:06:44Z")
The most useless thing in existence? The Luddite. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2018, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/175 "2018-11-06T09:06:05Z")
Hey, wait a minute, _I am a Luddite_. Although, TBCF, I _have_ been called useless. ---
**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:** [November 6, 2018, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/176 "2018-11-06T11:22:11Z")
> [@Plumbkrazy](#): > > If cellphones had existed throughout human history, imagine the lives that could’ve been saved. > > “Do NOT get on that train, mom and dad. Auschwitz is NOT a vacation destination. I’ll send you a pic.” Too soon! ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Krupe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Leo\_Krupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Krupe)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/177 "2018-11-06T14:08:12Z")
I can’t see the market for the [amazing color changing shower head.](https://www.amazon.com/SHOWER-DOOR-DIRECT-LEDSHMC-Showerhead/dp/B009Z3RLVY) Unless you play Bee Gees songs in the shower, so you can boogie-oogie-oogie while you get ready for your office sex party. ---
**Author:** ![Brayne\_Ded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Brayne\_Ded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brayne_Ded)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/178 "2018-11-06T15:05:26Z")
I’m thinking of those stupid things that you attach to an engine to inject hydrogen produced by the alternator. Duh. Anyone who knows anything about thermodynamics who know that the whole concept of Brown’s gas is nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![CelticKnot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/celticknot/32/3392_2.png) [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/179 "2018-11-06T15:47:50Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Depends a lot on where you live. Sometimes bottled water is a filtered version of local tap water. But around here most of it is real spring water and the difference from chlorinated tap water is huge. I tend to buy a lot of it because I’m in constant fear of running out – having to drink tap water instead of beautiful clear cool spring water is a horror! The best that can be said about tap water is that it’s possible to get good quality heavy-duty filtering systems for it that produce results similar to spring water, but they’re expensive and have to be maintained. The last bunch of spring water I got, sourced from a northern Ontario spring, was $1.99 per case of 24. > > Because half the time, depending on how the carton top was glued, pulling it apart to get a spout would sometimes work and sometimes result in a shredded mess. The screw-tops are easy to open, just pull out the safety seal once, and you’re done. They also seal better for re-use. If the local tap water smells like a swimming pool, you want to drink something else. We use the 5-gallon bottles that get exchanged, so nothing goes in the trash. ---
**Author:** ![squidfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/180 "2018-11-06T22:49:11Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Jesus H. Christ. These kinds of posts can’t be sincere. > > Does someone here really need to post an essay explaining the usefulness of mobile phones and smart phones? I have a circa-2004 style flip phone. Rugged. Goes 2 weeks between charges. It doesn’t display emojis or other fancy stuff so I can be oblivious to half of what’s texted to me. I’m not fighting with it all the time. I can take screen breaks between work and home. The only weakness is that no one gives out good directions to anyplace anymore because they assume I have a magic map. But I like actually - you know - doing some navigation when I don’t know a place so I can actually see how streets are connected and such. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2018, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888/181 "2018-11-06T23:49:07Z")
**Fax machines.** I don’t mean now, that they have been supplanted by email and web services that handle documents. I’m talking back in the day, late 80’s/early 90’s when everybody and his dog had to get another telephone line send and receive documents. If you had the technology to scan it into the fax machine, you had the tech to scan it into email. I would watch as people printed out letters and such on sheets of paper, walk over to a fax machine, and feed the paper in. :smack: When I tried to explain the benefits of simply emailing documents to a recipient, I would get a snarky response on the order of “Really? What next, Einstein: warp drive?” :rolleyes: Talk about Luddism… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-is-the-most-useless-development-invention-of-the-last-50-years/823888.md?page=10)