“It’s Like A Medieval Torture Device”: 30 Inconveniences That Humans Should Have Solved By Now

I am very thankful to live in a time where I know that the vast majority of my medical issues can be resolved. I also appreciate that I can easily search the internet for just about any random fun fact that I can imagine and know the answer in seconds. But to be honest, what I really want is to live in a world where my toilet cleans itself, and I never have to receive a piece of junk mail ever again.

Redditors have recently been calling out annoying inconveniences that they’re surprised humans haven’t solved yet, so we’ve gathered some of their best points below. Enjoy scrolling through and imagining what kind of utopia we would be living in if these issues were suddenly eliminated, and be sure to upvote the things that infuriate you too!

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“It’s Like A Medieval Torture Device”: 30 Inconveniences That Humans Should Have Solved By Now When I was a kid, there were a bunch of vacuums around from the 60s and 70s that had retractable cords. What happened? I want retractable cords on everything. You just gave it a little tug and and swallowed up the entire cord. I want one on my blender, my stand mixer, and my food processor please.

helluva_monsoon , cottonbro studio Report

Final score:

196points

POST

Skogsrået 2 months ago

All the vacuums i owned had this feature.

42points

JoNo 2 months ago

This person is saying the retractable cords on vacuums should be a feature on kitchen appliances, not that vacuums no longer have them.

12points

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Jumping Jellyfishes 2 months ago

My hand mixer has a retractable cord. One time when I pulled it out rather robustly, my kid said for minute he thought doing that was going to start it up like a chainsaw

13points

Dorothy Reiser 2 months ago

I got an iron that has a retractable cord. They can surely do the same for other appliances.

12points

Aussiegirl 2 months ago

Wow, really? I hate it when the iron cord gets all messed up

4points

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RAM31280 2 months ago

Yes, this and car hoods that stayed up on their own without a separate stick to prop them on.

7points

Mason Kronol 2 months ago

Omg the worst is trying to prop the hood while it’s raining or snowing, especially if it’s a vehicle you’re not familiar with. Lot lizards know what I mean.

3points

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CrunChewy McSandybutt 2 months ago

Retractable cords are the first thing to break. Now you have a long cord and nowhere to hook it onto.

4points

Bisha Moten 2 months ago

They also could start fires, as people pulling on them too hard would loosen the wiring connection and cause shorts that could (and would) start fires.

2points

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David 2 months ago

They are still available on vacuums. I think the cords on most kitchen counter appliances are too short for a retractor mechanism to be practical.

4points

Auntriarch 2 months ago

I'm guessing they would add to the weight which you wouldn't want on your stick blender

3points

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john doe 2 months ago

I have a rice cooker from Japan that has one, it's one of my favorite appliances I think tiger is the brand

3points

Schmebulock 2 months ago

💯

2points

TheBlueBitterfly 2 months ago

Retractable cords are just another part/feature that can fail. Most items I've had that had retractable cords, it eventually stopped working g long before the appliance did. I don't mind non-retractable cords, I can better see all parts and inspect for damage.

1point

Sky Render 2 months ago

I am still amazed that this doesn't exist for USB charging cables. Being able to compress a 10-foot lead into a 2- to 3-inch reel would be very useful!

1point

Matthew Currie 2 months ago

I actually do have a retractable USB cable. I don't know where it came from, and unfortunately it's an obsolete type now, but it always worked fine.The fine cable makes this work well, and it retracts from both ends into a little spring-loaded container in the middle. The problem with bigger power cords is of course the bulk. It seems a nice idea, but do you really want all your appliances to have the apparatus? I think it makes more sense to have cords that plug into the appliance, as computer and some other electronic cords do, an as many kitchen appliances once did. You can then choose a cord length, and replace a worn out cord if need be.

2points

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Bisha Moten 2 months ago

They were removed because they had a very bad habit of starting fires. People would pull on them too hard, thinking that they needed more than just a gentle tug to get them to retract. Over time, this would weaken the electrical connections, cause short circuits, and run the risk of starting a fire. So, to offset this tendency, it was determined safer to just leave the cord always out. Less for people to yank on.

0points

Dogcat vet (retired) 2 months ago

How about on the kids?

0points

Robert A Reider Jr 2 months ago

My iron has it. Big reason why I bought it

0points

deejak 2 months ago

I love my vacuum's retractable cord, but isn't there an issue with running electricity through a coiled cord? As in, producing a magnetic field? (So, fully pull the cord out before using.)

0points

Maudelin 2 months ago

There are a plethora of retractable cord appliances.

0points

WickedLibra70 2 months ago

I was just wondering that a couple weeks ago 😆

0points

Brian Droste 2 months ago

Never had one of those vacuums but operated couple of them before.

0points

Deson 2 months ago

One problem with retractable cords is what do you do when the cord gets tangled up in the intake spool and jams?

0points

deejak 2 months ago

You get your screwdriver out and fix it.

0points

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keyboardtek 2 months ago

I would settle for a vacuum that does not require a mechanical engineering degree to change the bag.

0points

Cathy Hinz 2 months ago

Hell Yes!!

0points

shankShaw deReemer 2 months ago

I wish my Shark stick vacuum had a retractable cord.

0points

KittyGaming 2 months ago

That would be amazing for travel and moving, and school/work

0points

Wendell T Sasaki 2 months ago

I have USB cordless, much better.

0points

Nimitz 2 months ago

They required high quality steel for constructing the springs. By ditching that feature they save on steel and plastic since they don't have to house the coiled cord. Basically skimpflation

0points

Rick Seiden 2 months ago

Maybe I have them on the brain, but that vac looks like the head of a battle droid.

0points

Lynn Fitzpatrick 2 months ago

True true!!

0points

A Jones 2 months ago

My best guess is that it's cheaper for companies to not have this feature since it's more parts. These are the companies that care more about $$$ than convenience.

0points

Rastilabo 2 months ago

Suuure! A tug gives you more cord. Tug, tug tug gives you cord around your ankle. TUUUG, prayer, swearing, kicking will make it retract - but not past your ankle

0points

Nick Triantafyllidis 2 months ago

It was my favorite thing to do as a child after my mom vacuumed the house. There was a special button. <3

0points

Subaru645 2 months ago

Buy from Europe or Asia…

0points

Kat 2 months ago

The Bissell vacuum I have has a retractable cord and I love it. I agree, everything should have that.

0points

PewPew 2 months ago

My mom still has hers and it still works. I swear, that thing is like 40 years old by now and works better than most of the new stuff.

0points

Ace 2 months ago

Err yes, these still exist, where are you looking that you can't find these any more?

0points

Bat cat in a hat 2 months ago

Not just for cleaners, but everything with a power cord being retractable. Some very high spec ones might have it but it's not common

1point

“It’s Like A Medieval Torture Device”: 30 Inconveniences That Humans Should Have Solved By Now

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