More unintended uses: cable car bar

After last week’s post on designs with unintended uses, one of my readers mailed in a couple of pictures of this rather extreme example: a cable car in the Italian ski resort of Cortina which has been transformed into a bar for tired skiers to have a drink and snack at.

Every design that makes it out into the real world is almost certain to be subverted. It’s just a matter of time. Designers should be aware of this when they set their own designs free and take advantage of the ingenious new uses that people find for them.

They should  should also remember that the designs of others can be used in ways that their makers would never have expected. Inspiration, if you are open to it, can be everywhere.

More below:

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