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MANHOLE COVER LOVERS

There must be billions of them in the world. We pass them every day. We walk on them. We do not take any notice of them. They are heavy, and usually made of cast iron. They come in many different shapes, sizes and patterns. Look, and you will find them everywhere.

What are they? MANHOLE COVERS, that provide access to local service systems such as water, electricity, gas, and telecommunications.

Post photos of any interesting ones you find here.

Location: Sigean, France
Members: 27
Latest Activity: 12 hours ago

Discussion Forum

rubbings 4 Replies

i noticed 2 on a short walk and wished I had brought my small art supply bag as it contains 2 bare crayons red and black to make "rubbings" of embossed , interesting surfaces. This is near home so…Continue

Started by Stephanie Lentz Morrison. Last reply by Stephanie Lentz Morrison Sep 2, 2023.

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Comment by Raphael Nadolny on June 23, 2023 at 1:32pm

Somewhere in Warsaw ... 

Comment by Valentine Mark Herman on June 23, 2023 at 7:56am

TOMORROW BRINGS AMAZON MANHOLE COVER BOOK DETAILS: TODAY DELIVERS HELEEN'S SECOND MANHOLE COVER CARTOON

Comment by Valentine Mark Herman on June 22, 2023 at 7:27am

COMING VERY SOON VIA AMAZON....DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED AT THE WEEKEND......MY 'MANHOLE COVERS' BOOK

Featuring 120+Manhole Covers from 40+ different countries, AND two special Manhole Cover cartoons from Heleen

Comment by Valentine Mark Herman on June 19, 2023 at 9:47am

Job Interview Question And Answer: Why Are Manhole Covers Round?

This question was made famous when Microsoft began using it in job interviews. It is an example of a creative problem-solving question that is used to assess how a person approaches a problem with more than one possible answer, and to test their logic, common sense and ability to think through an unusual question in a high pressure interview setting.  

According to Joel Spolsky, one of Microsoft’s early program managers, questions like these distinguish between people who are smart and get things done, people who are smart but don’t get things done, and people who get things done but are not smart.

Microsoft must have been onto something, because this type of question has been adopted by many other companies as an alternative to more traditional interview questions.

A number of possible explanations for why manhole covers are round include:

  • A round manhole cover cannot fall through its circular opening, whereas a square manhole cover could fall in if it were inserted diagonally in the hole.
  • Circular covers don’t need to be rotated or precisely aligned when placing them on the opening.
  • A round manhole cover is easily moved and rolled.
  • Human beings have a roughly circular cross-section.
  • Round tubes are the strongest shape against the compression of the earth around them, so the cover of the tube would naturally be round as well.
  • It’s easier to dig a circular hole.
  • Round castings are much easier to manufacture using a lathe.

                            (No, I didn't get the job)

Comment by Carien van Hest on June 18, 2023 at 6:15pm

Souillac, Corrèze, France:

Comment by Raphael Nadolny on June 12, 2023 at 2:25pm

Somewhere in Warsaw ....

Comment by Valentine Mark Herman on June 9, 2023 at 8:11am

FOUR FROM HAN FISCHER IN EINDHOVEN, HOLLAND : BEDANKT, HAN

Comment by Valentine Mark Herman on June 9, 2023 at 8:07am

FOUR FROM KATERINA, ALL FROM ATHENS (where Katerina is now living). THANKS, MOM KAT!

Comment by Valentine Mark Herman on June 8, 2023 at 10:58am

Thanks Heleen, and sorry to put you under (even more) presssure. I have sent the completed-but-for-your- contribution(s) text to the people who will turn it into a book, and told them that I may add a page or two in the next few days, so there is no great rush (ie you have all of 17 minutes!). Send me something when you can, ajb. I can use 2 cartoons -- one at the end of the Intrioduction, the other at the end of the photo section. Regards, Val

Comment by Heleen de Vaan on June 7, 2023 at 7:25pm

Sure I love to make something(s). I altready made some pencil sketches, though in the coming days I'm too busy with work and other tasks so time is a bit a 'thing'. Saturday evening and the whole Sunday I'll have more time, but I see you need it sooner, so I'll try to do my best to proceed asap..

 

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