I have a confession to make.  I’m a closet design nerd.  I complain to myself about the poorly put together GUIs of iPad music apps, I occasionally find myself nodding sagely when someone drops a Jon Ives quote, and I rock at this kerning game.

With that off my chest, I’d like to pay a quick tribute to an unsung and (as best I can tell from 45 minutes with Google) anonymous pilnth of the design community.  A man (I’m assuming) who successfully achieved Sir Ives directive to make “objects that you can’t imagine any other way.”  Ladies and gentlemen, I’m here to pay homage to the human being who came up with the toilet seat cover. 

I’m not sure what genius piece of physics and/or psychology guarantees that my aim is superior when my target is half an inch lower and maybe in inch greater circumference, but I can say with confidence that it is.  This simple oblong hinged piece of plastic has improved hygiene, public health, and countless relationships.  My gratitude goes out to you, you forgotten master whose work has passed into ubiquity, every time I don’t have to take the extra fifteen seconds to clean up after myself.

And, just in case anyone was curious, I had to use a squat toilet for the first time yesterday.  Wikipedia claims that there is some medical evidence that squat toilets are better for ones health than sit toilets.  I can testify, it’s a workout.

And, in one last toilet-related thought, I want one of these.