Actually, writing this out, I came up with more than three:
The microeconomic reason manhole covers are round: If you go to a manhole-cover company and ask for a round manhole cover, they'll say "we have these sizes in stock, and for a small extra fee we can put your town name on it." If you ask for a manhole cover in some other shape, they'll say, "that'll be a custom job" and it will take longer and cost more. (Note: This is actually not true; square manhole covers are also a standard stock item at manholecoversdirect.com.)
The durability reason manhole covers are round: Manhole covers are typically cast iron, which is brittle. That means that corners are likely to get broken off. Round manhole covers don't have corners.
The strength reason manhole covers are round: A round shape has all of the edges contributing as much as possible to supporting the least-supported point in the center of the cover, making a round manhole cover the strongest choice.
The functionality reason manhole covers are round: The things that we put through manhole covers are round. Corners don't add any value.
The pop-Freudian-symbolism reason manhole covers are round: In Western tradition, circles typically symbolize the feminine and pointy shapes such as squares or triangles symbolize the masculine. Manholes are not only feminine symbols by being holes; they are literally portals by which men enter mother earth. Thus, it is symbolically necessary for the portal to be round.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2023-03-25 10:23 pm (UTC)The microeconomic reason manhole covers are round: If you go to a manhole-cover company and ask for a round manhole cover, they'll say "we have these sizes in stock, and for a small extra fee we can put your town name on it." If you ask for a manhole cover in some other shape, they'll say, "that'll be a custom job" and it will take longer and cost more. (Note: This is actually not true; square manhole covers are also a standard stock item at manholecoversdirect.com.)
The durability reason manhole covers are round: Manhole covers are typically cast iron, which is brittle. That means that corners are likely to get broken off. Round manhole covers don't have corners.
The strength reason manhole covers are round: A round shape has all of the edges contributing as much as possible to supporting the least-supported point in the center of the cover, making a round manhole cover the strongest choice.
The functionality reason manhole covers are round: The things that we put through manhole covers are round. Corners don't add any value.
The pop-Freudian-symbolism reason manhole covers are round: In Western tradition, circles typically symbolize the feminine and pointy shapes such as squares or triangles symbolize the masculine. Manholes are not only feminine symbols by being holes; they are literally portals by which men enter mother earth. Thus, it is symbolically necessary for the portal to be round.