Gizmos and Doodads to Smooth Out Life’s Wrinkles

Question from Feb. 23:

What items should be invented to make our lives easier?

“A VCR that records programs and edits out commercials.”

--GRACE E. HAMPTON, Burbank

“Life would be easier if there were a device on cars that prevented them from turning, unless the person had put on his / her turn signal.”

--CHRIS GERSTENBERGER, Redondo Beach

“A welcome attachment to the Strap Hider Bra is the Butt Sling, a connected, elastic scaffolding that lifts both cheeks.”

--KATE YARBROUGH, Santa Barbara

“Zipperless pants for philandering husbands. It may make cheating more difficult for them, but it’s satisfaction guaranteed for their wives--or money refunded. More seriously, all cars should come equipped with emergency numbers only (911, AAA, etc.) on speaker phones. Punch in the number, get help, no hands.”

--SHARON KARP, Los Angeles

“A tab or color strip denoting the beginning of toilet paper rolls--before you ruin 12 inches of paper trying to find it!”

--ESTRELDA THOMAS, Fontana

“Attach a little shocking alarm clock to the shorts of the Laker team which would wake them up in the fourth quarter.”

--WALT HOPMANS, Santa Barbara

Question for March 2:

Dr. Seuss, a.k.a. Theodor Geisel, was born on this date in 1904. To commemorate his life’s work, we ask that you submit a Seuss-style stanza.

Send replies of 25 words or fewer to Smart Aleck, in care of SoCal Living, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or e-mail socalliving@latimes.com. Include your name and hometown. Replies will appear next week.