Re:The rise of never-ending job interviews
by eecc on Monday August 02, 2021 @01:48AM
(#28033301)
My guess is it’s also a matter of practical usage: they’re made of heavy iron and a round one will fall in place whatever orientation it’s thrown over the cover, while a different shape needs to be carefully oriented. I suspect this also means less broken fingers.
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But round one is easier to steal.. just roll them off. Whereas a square or any such shape, would be very inconvenient to move.
[Edit in response to a question]
Some people have attempted to steal manhole covers in order to sell them for scrap metal. China Daily notes that there has also been a problem with taxi drivers removing manhole covers to "steal water and clean their vehicles". https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-52400235
If you're going around stealing covers, you're probably driving a truck and carrying them in the truck bed.
Re:The rise of never-ending job interviews
by bluedino on Monday August 02, 2021 @07:47AM
(#28035390)
Who steals iron to turn in for scrap? It's only worth about 10 cents a lb. And then you have to haul it to the scrap yard. It's heavy!
On the other hand, copper is $3/lb, brass $2/lb, aluminum is $0.50/lb
Read "Playing the Moldovans at Tennis". According to that book, most of the manhole covers had been stolen for scrap.
Re:The rise of never-ending job interviews
by adrianN on Monday August 02, 2021 @02:07AM
(#28033383)
Why would someone steal a manhole cover?
If Google is asking about them on an interview they must be important.
It's a very common thing to steal. Lots of iron. That's why they use concrete-filled ones. That's why they are stamped so a scrapyard can be checked (or alert authorities).
To sell them at the scrap yard. Gotta be careful driving in some countries; drive over an open manhole and you might crack an axle.