A new essay in The Guardian highlights how rolling suitcases were undermined by gender roles.The anecdote showcases how systemic biases shape our economy.Today, rolling suitcases are the mainstays of moving sidewalks, duty-free shops, and business commuters pacing while on the phone. But while it's a no-brainer that rolling a suitcase is easier on your arms than carrying it, they're still a relatively recent addition to the mainstream.
Eventually, as Marçal chronicles, solo travel by women became more ubiquitous in the 1980s — and a new design in 1987 somehow made the rolling suitcase safe for men to use, too. The anecdote showcases how what is seen as the traditional cycle of economics — products meeting demand, and consumers buying them — can't be separated from perceptions around gender roles and other systemic exclusion. In the case of the rolling suitcase, men went without a more useful device for years, for no reason besides bias. But economic history has more serious repercussions than sore arms from similar instances of prejudice.in 2019.
“For instance, many smartphones are too small for women's hands…” … shouldn’t it say “too big”?
I read this and wondered what I could have better done with my time.
good