USA Doorknobs

[Joel]

Anyone that has travelled/lived overseas (from the US) may have noticed that America is the land of the round doorknobs. Why is this, where did this originate?

In case you might be interested in my opinion of round doorknobs, I think they are stupid. If your hands are full, it is much easier to push or pull a handle, such as most other countries use. I know most of europe uses handles rather than knobs, and in kenya, africa, there are no round doorknobs. Anyone have any knowledge of where the US got such a bad idea?

[Joel]

Anyone that has travelled/lived overseas (from the US) may have noticed that America is the land of the round doorknobs. Why is this, where did this originate?

In case you might be interested in my opinion of round doorknobs, I think they are stupid. If your hands are full, it is much easier to push or pull a handle, such as most other countries use. I know most of europe uses handles rather than knobs, and in kenya, africa, there are no round doorknobs. Anyone have any knowledge of where the US got such a bad idea?

[RyJones]

I think all doors on bathrooms should swing both ways so you don't have to touch a door with your hands. they always seem to open inwards, which means you're touching a door after someone else has peed on it.

[RyJones]

I think all doors on bathrooms should swing both ways so you don't have to touch a door with your hands. they always seem to open inwards, which means you're touching a door after someone else has peed on it.

[dbaker]

On 2001-09-23 05:24, RyJones wrote:
I think all doors on bathrooms should swing both ways so you don't have to touch a door with your hands. they always seem to open inwards, which means you're touching a door after someone else has peed on it.

Agree.

Unless you're really lucky and someone enters as you're preparing to exit. I've been willing to wait, in some cases, and act like the timing was just right. [img]/forums/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

There's always the towel trick, too. Arguably, that's a waste, but I'd rather that than be plagued with concern of what might be on my hands.

Daniel

[dbaker]

On 2001-09-23 05:24, RyJones wrote:
I think all doors on bathrooms should swing both ways so you don't have to touch a door with your hands. they always seem to open inwards, which means you're touching a door after someone else has peed on it.

Agree.

Unless you're really lucky and someone enters as you're preparing to exit. I've been willing to wait, in some cases, and act like the timing was just right. [img]/forums/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

There's always the towel trick, too. Arguably, that's a waste, but I'd rather that than be plagued with concern of what might be on my hands.

Daniel

[chodson]

Actually, here is .au there planty of round doorknobs. In fact, I'm looking at one now.

On the other hand, the lightswitches are upside down (down is on). Joke anout being on the underside of the world notwitstanding, what are other countries like in this regard?

[chodson]

Actually, here is .au there planty of round doorknobs. In fact, I'm looking at one now.

On the other hand, the lightswitches are upside down (down is on). Joke anout being on the underside of the world notwitstanding, what are other countries like in this regard?

[RyJones]

oooh light switches! Someone from Hong Kong came into my computer lab and wanted to turn on the lights, so she pushed the Big Red Switch. Apparently, in Hong Kong they have push button light switches. I can't imagine they're an inch across, red, with the words EMERGENCY STOP written on them... but hey, maybe they are that way.

[RyJones]

oooh light switches! Someone from Hong Kong came into my computer lab and wanted to turn on the lights, so she pushed the Big Red Switch. Apparently, in Hong Kong they have push button light switches. I can't imagine they're an inch across, red, with the words EMERGENCY STOP written on them... but hey, maybe they are that way.