Rik
13-08-2005, 05:57 PM
Story link (http://www.tiscali.co.uk/news/newswire.php/news/pa/2005/08/11/technology/armedcorkscrewbeatscallcentres.html&template=/technology/templates/pa/technology_news_story.html)
Armed corkscrew beats call centres
Automated call centre phone systems are among the innovations which have made life more difficult, according to new poll.
Research for product consultancy, User Vision found that corkscrews with "arms" to help open wine bottles were voted 'most useful' from a list of 50 items that have made life easier over the last two decades.
Disposable nappies and television remote controls came second and third.
Pay at pump petrol stations, digital control washing machines and self-scan supermarket tills were among the least useful inventions.
Technology hardware such as computers, mobile phones and interactive TV systems were not included in the list of options.
Chris Rourke, director of User Vision, said: "This survey demonstrates the importance of usability in everyday life, these seemingly small and simple innovations which we take for granted but ultimately make life a lot easier."
The top 10 breakthroughs according to the survey are: 1. Armed corkscrews, 2. Disposable nappies, 3. TV remote controls, 4. Central locking, 5. Gas barbecues, 6. Push button telephones, 7. Electric screwdrivers, 8. Electric toothbrushes, 9. Compact broadsheet newspapers, 10. Ready-tied bow ties.
And who designed this corkscrew? Tullio Campagnolo, the man that also brought us quick release skewers and parallelogram derailleurs. He was a clever man, and changed the way things are done for alot of people. The cycling community would have to be the most greatful for his work, and I'm sure there's a few of you that'd appreciate his corkscrew as much as his derailleur.
Armed corkscrew beats call centres
Automated call centre phone systems are among the innovations which have made life more difficult, according to new poll.
Research for product consultancy, User Vision found that corkscrews with "arms" to help open wine bottles were voted 'most useful' from a list of 50 items that have made life easier over the last two decades.
Disposable nappies and television remote controls came second and third.
Pay at pump petrol stations, digital control washing machines and self-scan supermarket tills were among the least useful inventions.
Technology hardware such as computers, mobile phones and interactive TV systems were not included in the list of options.
Chris Rourke, director of User Vision, said: "This survey demonstrates the importance of usability in everyday life, these seemingly small and simple innovations which we take for granted but ultimately make life a lot easier."
The top 10 breakthroughs according to the survey are: 1. Armed corkscrews, 2. Disposable nappies, 3. TV remote controls, 4. Central locking, 5. Gas barbecues, 6. Push button telephones, 7. Electric screwdrivers, 8. Electric toothbrushes, 9. Compact broadsheet newspapers, 10. Ready-tied bow ties.
And who designed this corkscrew? Tullio Campagnolo, the man that also brought us quick release skewers and parallelogram derailleurs. He was a clever man, and changed the way things are done for alot of people. The cycling community would have to be the most greatful for his work, and I'm sure there's a few of you that'd appreciate his corkscrew as much as his derailleur.