Create

Still not feeling the creative juices flowing. So what shall I write about today? I'll write about other creative things that people have made. We don't even notice them anymore, yet our world would be so different (ok, sometimes not so much) without these lovely inventions.

• The door stop. You know, the small rod with a rubber tip to stop the door from making scratches on the wall? Now there's even the circular kind that stops the doorknob itself. Our world would be such an annoying place without these door stops. We would frequently have to repaint and repair our walls from the scratches and even holes that would appear in an extremely forceful fling of the door. Not to mention the noise, 'wump', every time it hit the wall. Let's be appreciative of the invention, shall we?

• The bobble-head doll. Yes, I know that this one doesn't really fit under the "useful" category, but it is on my list because they are incredible. In-creh-dee-blay. Who would have sat down and thought, "You know what would be a great invention? A doll. But not just any doll. A doll that you can't play with. A doll that has no use but to nod it's head up and down once in a while." Can you imagine giving a pitch to some company to convince them to make an invention like that? It must have been a pretty good pitch, or to someone who had a lot of faith. But somehow, the invention took off, and now there are bobble head dolls for everything (including that little hula girl that sits on the dashboard). An invention I would have turned down turned out to be amazing. Who knew?
• The mouse pad. We don't take any notice while it's there, but when your cursor refuses to go where you are directing it, you slam down the mouse and say, "Where the heck did the mouse pad go?" (at least, you would think something like that). Thank God for that little square of flexible foam to keep our mice (mouses?) in check.
• The outlet cover. Protecting babies with forks everywhere. Or perhaps just curious minds and small fingers, but the first sounds more exciting.
• The toothbrush holder. A hollow container with holes in the top. Who would have thought of it? Who would have patented it? I have no idea, but I hope they are making millions. There are some pretty cool ones nowadays. Without it, my toothbrush would merely have to sit in a cup. Even worse, it might have to be laid down next to the sink- the toothbrush wouldn't stay upright and would have to turn over on its side, getting the bristles even germier as it touched your gross bathroom counter. So be thankful.

Well, I hope you feel more appreciative of those inventors out. Such simple ideas, yet so useful. Why can't I do stuff like that? I want to know their secret, but I don't know if they'd be willing to share. Oh well.