I just figured out the reason mechanical ice-cream scoops always break at our house is that they're designed for right-handed people. The half-ring by default rests on the opposite side of the part of the scoop that makes contact first.

if you're left-handed, the half-ring becomes a point of contact and pushing to scoop the ice-cream forces the half-ring to move against the gear, eventually misaligning the teeth

non-mechanical scoops (the one with just a demisphere) designed to remove moving parts prone to failure turns out to also allow for ambidexterity. Hooray for positive externalities of industrial design~

this *does* expose the quiet bias for right-handed dominance though. Some other tools aren't so cute when they fail because of this (firearms, heavy machinery, medical equipment)

and yah these three things are designed for right-handed people. Rifles' bolt handles are on the right side, chainsaws' pull cords are on the right, and medical shears are not ambidextrous.

Exceptions exist, but they prove the rule.

not sure why I created this thread.

maybe it's because since examining my own unconscious biases I think it's important for everyone to see these little potentially exclusionary things too.

Especially if we have the privilege of creating tools, systems, and rules for people to follow. Or when we have the voice to change it for the better.

OR maybe I'm just really annoyed that chilled cookie dough broke my new ice-cream scoop man they make such cute little scoopies augh

MORE design solutions that benefit lefthanders as a positive outcome of being improved in general:

touchscreen > computer mouse
box cutter > scissors
digital measuring tape > analog
ambidex can openers > regular style

and some on my wishlist
- smart device covers that flip to the *right*
- counterclock corkscrews
- lefty art palette
- stringed musical instruments
- pants zipper flaps on the right side
- lefthanded camera buttons

y'all righties probably never notice that Autopay / vending machines have the slots oriented for right-handed people.

I always take a little too long looking for where I should put my whatsits. I very soz everybody >_<