Comments on: Brilliant Ideas Inspired by Mundane Tasks

By: brother Sewing Machine

brother Sewing Machine — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:31:11 +0000

I recall them coming into fashion in the sixties. In very little time the beaches were festooned in them and walking barefoot on a sandy strand became a real hazard. Hence the invention of the “stays on the can” pop top.

By: PJMurphy

PJMurphy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:48:49 +0000

My favourite inventor story goes like this…in 1907 or so, a gentleman was rowing across a lake to fetch an ice cream for his girlfriend on a hot summer day. By the time he got it to her, it had melted.

His name? Ole Evinrude, and he invented the outboard motor.

By: bud

bud — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:25:26 +0000

De Mestral appears to be a reincarnation of Howe. Am I the only one that sees a striking resemblance? It Looks like De Mestral posed for the engraving of Howe.

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:29:18 +0000

I only had the joy of being shaved with a straight razor once in my life. It was the best shave I’ve ever gotten but at the same time I was *really* nervous that the barber would slip when he went over my jugular … Better not piss off your barber beforehand!

By: MadMolecule

MadMolecule — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:46:12 +0000

Dan: My barber shaves my neck and sideburns with a straight razor, and it’s not a noticeably better shave than one gets with a standard safety razor, assuming the shaver knows how to use a safety razor properly. The hot lather treatment feels great, though.

By: Dan Schindler

Dan Schindler — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:22:16 +0000

A couple of points:

Surely King Gillette was using a straight razor, it was his invention of the safety razor that made it obsolete except for barbers. Some consider a shave by a straight razor to be the best but I wear a beard so I don’t know.

As for pop tops; I recall them coming into fashion in the sixties. In very little time the beaches were festooned in them and walking barefoot on a sandy strand became a real hazard. Hence the invention of the “stays on the can” pop top. Not to mention the change from heavy stiff steel cans to lightweight crushable aluminum.

By: K!P

K!P — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:18:34 +0000

@pwscot: check out badgerandblade.com (non affilate) just a bunch of guys shaving with all kind of razors, also where to get one. new safety razors are stil being made, by merkur for example.

By: pwscott

pwscott — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:13:08 +0000

you know I can find razor blades at Walgreens, but where can I find a safety razor.

By: Manticore

Manticore — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:05:06 +0000

RE: de Mestral: how many dresses do you see with velcro closures?