Comments on: Astounding Examples of Innovation from Japan http://betterexplained.com/articles/astounding-inventions-from-japan/ Learning shouldn't hurt. Let's share the insights that made difficult ideas click. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:09:06 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Kalid http://betterexplained.com/articles/astounding-inventions-from-japan/#comment-262773 Kalid Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:32:26 +0000 http://betterexplained.com/articles/astounding-inventions-from-japan/#comment-262773 @Mladen: Thanks for the info! I haven't visited Europe that much (it's on my list) so I'll definitely be on the lookout. I'm just amazed at how long it takes some of these "everyday" things to make their way to the US ;). @Mladen: Thanks for the info! I haven’t visited Europe that much (it’s on my list) so I’ll definitely be on the lookout. I’m just amazed at how long it takes some of these “everyday” things to make their way to the US ;) .

]]> By: Mladen http://betterexplained.com/articles/astounding-inventions-from-japan/#comment-262650 Mladen Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:44:33 +0000 http://betterexplained.com/articles/astounding-inventions-from-japan/#comment-262650 Oh, I almost forgot, we also have motion sensor operated paper towel and soap dispensers, taps and flushing pretty much everywhere nowadays. Also disposable toilet seat covers in easy to deploy shapes :) Oh, I almost forgot, we also have motion sensor operated paper towel and soap dispensers, taps and flushing pretty much everywhere nowadays. Also disposable toilet seat covers in easy to deploy shapes :)

]]> By: Mladen http://betterexplained.com/articles/astounding-inventions-from-japan/#comment-262648 Mladen Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:38:38 +0000 http://betterexplained.com/articles/astounding-inventions-from-japan/#comment-262648 I live in Croatia and travel a lot around Europe. Most things you outlined here are in fact quite commonplace in Europe, and some even in my country (far from developed). The exception being the space toilet :) 1. Cartoon signs - really, quite common for pretty much everything 2. Swiveling seats - existing, but rare 3. Simple and active underground maps including scrolling info and even video info in public transport - all around Germany 4. Vertical parking - funny, I've first seen those in New York, USA :) 5. Efficient bike parking - in Denmark, you even have your bike's seat protected from rain when you park it :) 6. Additional rear view mirrors - several different designs exist 7. Fair pricing - European consumer protection is quite good - it's illegal in most countries to hide any portion of the final price from the consumer 8. Automated ordering - not common, but I've seen it 9. Horizontal escalators - already boring :) Having said all that, I find Finland to top everything shown here - their civil engineering and innovation in everyday items is simply mind blowing. I'd elaborate on that, but this comment is already too long :) I live in Croatia and travel a lot around Europe. Most things you outlined here are in fact quite commonplace in Europe, and some even in my country (far from developed). The exception being the space toilet :)

1. Cartoon signs – really, quite common for pretty much everything
2. Swiveling seats – existing, but rare
3. Simple and active underground maps including scrolling info and even video info in public transport – all around Germany
4. Vertical parking – funny, I’ve first seen those in New York, USA :)
5. Efficient bike parking – in Denmark, you even have your bike’s seat protected from rain when you park it :)
6. Additional rear view mirrors – several different designs exist
7. Fair pricing – European consumer protection is quite good – it’s illegal in most countries to hide any portion of the final price from the consumer
8. Automated ordering – not common, but I’ve seen it
9. Horizontal escalators – already boring :)

Having said all that, I find Finland to top everything shown here – their civil engineering and innovation in everyday items is simply mind blowing. I’d elaborate on that, but this comment is already too long :)

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