Submitted by: Randy W via Submit a Kludge!
Right. Reading light. That lotion bottle is clearly for dry skin. >.> – Ms. Fix-It
Favorite Comment: Fixer Anodean says, “The first one always looks like that. You get better at it with practice.”
Afternoon Fixers! If growing up watching Captain Planet taught me anything, it is that heart is a stupid power pollution is bad. Unfortunately the Planeteers didn’t exist prior to 1990 so how was Cleveland to know that pumping toxic sludge into the river was a bad idea? Oh I don’t know, the raging fires might have been a clue.
Yes, the river itself is on fire. This image is from 1952 but there were many, many more watery blazes which didn’t culminate into anything resembling concern until after the fire in 1969. Below is an image to give you a better idea of what exactly was feeding the fire.
Luckily, the fine people of Ohio finally realized that water catching fire wasn’t normal and instituted some changes; the most kludge worthy by far being the plastic tarp.
Basically, the mayor of Cleveland decided that in order to garner more support for cleaning up the river, he should make people want to use it. So on two of the beaches the city put up what amounted to a giant plastic tarp and anchored it to the riverbed. Then they pumped chlorine into the “pool” until the water level was clean enough for swimming. I beg you Fixers, if you have an old family photo of this please send it in for the gods of Google are being finicky.
The plan worked. Combined with growing concern for the environment in general, the Cuyahoga River fires led to sweeping reforms including the Clean Water Act and the creation of the EPA. Today, most of the river is within safe levels of pollutants, the fish population is soaring and the slick sludge reminiscent of the Ankh River is no more.
Thanks to Green City Blue Lake, Timelines.com, Cleveland Memory and Fixer The Deathbunnie for the information. One more photo and a vintage video about the problem after the jump!
Click to see more… »
Submitted by: joelj1161 via Submit a Kludge!
They might regret this plan when they have to wash dishes to drink beer later. – Ms. Fix-It
Favorite Comment: Fixer SaDaniel says, “Are you sure this isn’t a meth lab? Glade, fast food cups, missing counter top, chemical jug, GREEN baseboard…”
Submitted by: Brian via Submit a Kludge!
I see someone is finally taking their addiction to Hot Pockets seriously. – Ms. Fix-It
Favorite Comment: Fixer Ken says, “There will be NO more burned popcorn smell in my office.”
Submitted by: OE Alfonso via Submit a Kludge!
Thor has really taken his fall from the superhero A-list hard. – Ms. Fix-It
Favorite Comment: Fixer Azkyroth says, “As told to me by an old hand in the construction equipment maintenance business…
Mechanic’s three rules:
1. Always use the right tool for the job.
2. A hammer is the right tool for any job.
3. Anything can be used as a hammer.”
Submitted by: Tesha via Submit a Kludge!
Matthew McConaughey must be so relieved. – Ms. Fix-It
Favorite Comment: Fixer Pat says, “People on this site are so insensitive. The National Association for People with T-Rex Arms (NAPTA) will be hearing about this.”
Submitted by: dunno source via Submit a Kludge!
Someone went to a lot of trouble to have a great view of the back of a truck. – Ms. Fix-It
Favorite Comment: Fixer ¡Great Scott!, “I don’t see a shingle thing wrong with that.”
Submitted by: Tjon Malaconda via Submit a Kludge!
I’m too OCD for this. The little triangle that shows orange if the baby isn’t at the right angle would drive me insane. – Ms. Fix-It
Favorite Comment: Fixer Dogmeat says, “If ever there was a vehicle that cried out to have a “BABY ON BOARD” sign, it would be this one.”
Submitted by: enos76 via Submit a Kludge!
Do Jedi Mind Tricks work on eight year olds? – Ms. Fix-It
Favorite Comment: Fixer jam says, “A superb example of how to build internet relationships.”
Submitted by: David Hampson via Submit a Kludge!
Unless the owner of this has the worst poison oak rash in the history of man on their back…no excuse. None. – Ms. Fix-It
Favorite Comment: Fixer Dogmeat says, “Forget those wimpy luffa/loofah sponges! Try our new, industrial-strength scrubber. For when you absolutely, positively need to ensure those germ-ridden problem areas are clean…and void of all layers of skin.”
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