I’m sitting in the Huntsville airport, making my way back to Houston for a series of doctor’s appointments, when I have an experience that makes me stop and think. It’s not about flights, security lines, or even the overpriced coffee—it’s about something far more fundamental.

The restroom.

Now, before you roll your eyes, hear me out. Huntsville’s airport restrooms are clean, modern, and accessible. They’ve got family restrooms, handicap-accessible stalls—everything you’d expect in a well-planned public space. But then I encountered the toilet paper dispenser, and suddenly, I found myself questioning the intelligence of modern engineering.

This contraption, seemingly designed by aerospace engineers with a cruel sense of humor, requires a degree in physics to operate. The paper feeds in a way that twists it into a rope, making it nearly impossible to grab. If you do manage to get a piece, it’s either a single square at a time or an unraveling mess. Now, imagine a mother trying to manage two kids or someone with limited dexterity wrestling with this so-called convenience.

What’s wrong with people? How does something like this get approved? Did no one test it before installation?

This isn’t just about toilet paper—it’s about the bigger picture. It’s about how often we design things without truly thinking about how people use them. Whether it’s a useless dispenser, an inefficient online form, or a policy that creates more hurdles than help, we see these failures all the time. And yet, they persist.

Here’s the takeaway: Test what you create. Walk in the shoes of the people who will use it. Think beyond efficiency and consider practicality. Because when something as simple as a toilet paper dispenser makes life harder, imagine what’s happening in the more complex areas of our world.

To the decision-makers, designers, and engineers out there—pay attention. The little things matter more than you think.

And to my fellow travelers, if you ever find yourself in the Huntsville airport, be prepared: the restroom may be nice, but the toilet paper dispenser will test your patience, your problem-solving skills, and maybe even your sanity.

Now, what other absurd designs have you encountered in everyday life? Let’s call them out. The world needs better solutions—not unnecessary puzzles.

H. Marc Helm