At $US50 a pop, these Toepeners would surely end up saving shopping centres, offices and other public venues money over the long run, with less paper wasted and thrown on the floor. Not to mention the debt to society they owe, with 999,999,999* different types of germs transmitted on bathroom handles every day. Public bathrooms of the world, please unite and buy a Toepener or two now! [Toepener via Marginal Revolution via OhGizmo]
*I could’ve just made that stat up. But I wouldn’t be surprised if it were true!
damo
Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 9:13 AMOh GOD YES. Make them madatory.
Jester
Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 9:38 AMBrilliant idea, but in the Australian nanny state, some drunk will lose his balance, fall over, crack his skull open and sue the pub/bar/nightclub for everything it’s worth. Tragic, yes, but you know I’m right!
Stew
Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 10:45 AMIt’s great – except that you’re standing on one leg after a few drinks at the pub & some guy barges in from the other side, knocking you even more off balance.
Stew
Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 9:39 AMOh yeah and good luck if you’re in a wheelchair or on crutches! Then again, they’d probably still have the “traditional” mechanism.
Mike
Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 2:25 PMJester and Stew hit the nail on the head. Not only that but bad idea in shopping centers as well. Lol I can picture some overweight noob trying it out and toppling themselves over.
Demitri
Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 3:34 PMthey should make the door opening automated, like star trek :)
But not only that how about the basin tap we’re getting germs from turning it on and off. It too should be toe operated. and i don’t mean you got to flip your foot over the basin to turn the tap on :) Something on the floor that you press that turns on for a few seconds.
jmb
Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 7:00 PMMy college here in Canberra has a large button that you lean on slightly with your leg, and it turns the tap on….plus the awesome new hand dryers :D
Paul
Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 11:50 PMNevermind drunks and fat people, what about skinny buggers standing there on one leg while they get hit with the door as some fat, drunk or fat and drunk person comes barging IN to the dunny.
Sam Cook
Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 9:52 PMSeriously people, whats so hard about using 4th and 5th fingers on your left hand (or right hand if you’re a leftie) to open the door? I mean, sure its not COMPLETELY germ proof, but no one puts those fingers anywhere near their mouths, and you’re gonna end up touching germs with the rest of your fingers sooner or later anyway.
Though, having said that – simpler suggestion for the bathroom door conundrum: reverse the hinges on all doors (ie pull open to enter the bathroom, push open to exit). That way you’re touching the handle BEFORE you wash you hands, and can use a wrist or an elbow to push the door open on your way out. Simple.
steve
Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 11:59 PMStepnpull has been around for a few years they are great and only 29.00