We’re all familiar with the USB - whether it is plugging in a memory storage stick, a mouse, a phone, or other gadgets and peripherals. The rectangle design has been adopted by most hardware manufacturer since Apple added these ports on its computer in 1998.
We have all experienced the hassle of plugging in the USB into its port: It never seems to ever go in on the first try!
In an interview with NPR this Friday, the leader behind the IBM team that designed the USB, Ajay Batt, revealed that he is well aware of the annoyances the public is experiencing. According to Batt, "The biggest annoyance is reversibility,".
For outsiders, it seems like designing the USB so it can be reversible would be an easy fix to everyone's problems, so no matter which way you stick it in it's a success. Bhatt told NPR that would have doubled the cost of the technology, requiring double the wires and circuits.
Another option that the Intel team floated was a round design, but that would have been even more difficult to plug in correctly.
An alternative that is not widely adopted yet, is the USB-C which is reversible. It may take a while but the Classic USB may become a thing in the past just like the VHS tapes and landlines.
Image: Wikimedia Commons