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Re:Ask HN: What’s the most important modern simple invention? by TopHand on Monday February 10, 2020 @02:24PM (#22292291)
Window screens and indoor plumbing are the 2 greatest improvements for our daily lives.
Re:Ask HN: What’s the most important modern simple invention? by allhacks on Monday February 10, 2020 @02:27PM (#22292324)
Since OP didn’t provide reasons, I will.

Window screens: malaria prevention.

Indoor plumbing: make sanitation so convenient that you don’t have any reasons not to use it (vs throwing the old night bucket outta the window). Obviously city scale sanitation == no dysentery, cholera...etc.

Re:Ask HN: What’s the most important modern simple invention? by nickserv on Monday February 10, 2020 @03:38PM (#22293004)
Sanitation systems are really old, though.

I was impressed with the sophistication of the one present in Glanum, a small (but wealthy) Roman provincial town abandoned in the 2nd century. The sewer system runs underneath the main street: baths, villas, and the abatoir connect to it.

To say nothing of the ones in major cities of the time.

Re:Ask HN: What’s the most important modern simple invention? by phamilton on Monday February 10, 2020 @07:42PM (#22294963)
Except window screens still aren't common in Europe.
Re:Ask HN: What’s the most important modern simple invention? by indentit on Tuesday February 11, 2020 @02:40AM (#22296784)
That doesn't mesh with my experience. When I moved from the UK - where windows open outwards and its not really possible to have screens - to the countryside in mainland Europe where mosquitoes and flies are much more common, one can buy mosquito nets for windows from the supermarkets. I don't regret that purchasing decision at all - being able to have the window open at night in summer means I can actually get some sleep :)