Smiley Socket

Posted by oliver
Tue, 05/13/2008 - 03:38

See the face?! Ooh, see the cute little baby face, and the other face on top of it?!

Why babies like electrical outlets.

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Comments

Scott Moonen - Mon, 06/02/2008 - 02:36

Interesting observation! My hypothesis is that babies love outlets for the same reason they love little ants crawling across the floor, cracks in the wall, etc. They are an intriguing -- even distracting -- interruption of the normal.

As to outlets being installed upside-down, I believe that it is normal to install an outlet upside-down only if the outlet is partially switched. E.g., if a switch in the room controls the bottom but not the top socket, then typically the outlet is installed upside-down as an indication of this fact. I don't know if this is a matter of building codes, but it does seem to be a very common practice.

Antun - Tue, 05/27/2008 - 17:29

The outlets don't have to be installed face-side-up. It's perfectly acceptable (although less common) to install them with the "mouth" at the top.

Actually, outlets remind me more of Much's scream than a cute face :O

Koral - Mon, 06/23/2008 - 08:29

Here in Denmark our outlets also have the smiley faces, its something i've always noticed.

Josh - Sun, 05/18/2008 - 16:58

An interesting thought. I personally believe it is because they resemble the "put a block into a slot" style games - and babies seem preoccupied with inserting things into slots, especially their own mouths.

Of course, your hypothesis could be tested. It would make a nice experiment.

Sarah Allen - Sun, 05/18/2008 - 04:00

Looks like a frowny face to me... :)