Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's another instance of "people are stupid". Yes, for any educated person it's obvious that one line is faster, that's the first thing about queueing theory, but most people don't know the first thing about queueing theory. Other instances of "people are stupid" leading to poor design: * Some cars come with a CVT (continuously variable transmission) rather than having to shift gears. The audible pitch of the engine…
Do you have a source for that Coinstar playing jangly coin sounds?? I would love to read more about that.
"Counting 600 coins per minute, Coinstar machines detect the metal content of the coin, as well as the size to accurately identify the coin denomination - and efficiently sort out all kinds of debris typically found in consumer coin. The company has found paper clips, key chains, wedding bands, gum wrappers, even teeth, all of which are identified quickly as non-coin."
http://web.archive.org/web/20100324183932/http://www.coinsta...