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In modern
''Mostly Harmless''
Vol. 5. Pan Macmillan, 2009, p. 113.
In modern English
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usage, the informal term idiot-proof or foolproof describes designs that cannot be misused either inherently, or by use of defensive design
Defensive design is the practice of planning for contingencies in the design stage of a project or undertaking. Essentially, it is the practice of anticipating all possible ways that an end-user could misuse a device, and designing the device so ...
principles. The implication is that the design is usable even by someone of low intelligence who would not use it properly.
The term "foolproof" originates in 1902. The term "idiot-proof" became popular in the 1970s. It may have been invented as a stronger-sounding version of foolproof, as the force of foolproof had declined due to frequent usage. Perhaps for the same reason, "foolproof" is now a formal term, whereas "idiot-proof" remains informal.
Several Murphy's law adages claim that idiot-proof systems cannot be made, for example "Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool" and "If you make something idiot-proof, someone will just make a better idiot." Along those lines, Douglas Adams
Douglas Noel Adams (11 March 1952 – 11 May 2001) was an English author and screenwriter, best known for ''The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy''. Originally a 1978 BBC radio comedy, ''The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'' developed into a " ...
wrote in ''Mostly Harmless
''Mostly Harmless'' is a 1992 novel by Douglas Adams and the fifth book in the ''Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'' series. It is described on the cover of the first edition as "The fifth book in the increasingly inaccurately named Hitchhikers ...
'', "a common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools".Douglas, Adams''Mostly Harmless''
Vol. 5. Pan Macmillan, 2009, p. 113.
See also
*Defensive design
Defensive design is the practice of planning for contingencies in the design stage of a project or undertaking. Essentially, it is the practice of anticipating all possible ways that an end-user could misuse a device, and designing the device so ...
* Hanlon's razor
* Inherent safety
In the chemical and process industries, a process has inherent safety if it has a low level of danger even if things go wrong. Inherent safety contrasts with other processes where a high degree of hazard is controlled by protective systems. As per ...
* Murphy's law
* Poka-yoke
is a Japanese term that means "mistake-proofing" or "inadvertent error prevention". A poka-yoke is any mechanism in a process that helps an equipment operator avoid (''yokeru'') mistakes (''poka'') and defects by preventing, correcting, or drawing ...
* Unintended consequences
In the social sciences, unintended consequences (sometimes unanticipated consequences or unforeseen consequences) are outcomes of a purposeful action that are not intended or foreseen. The term was popularised in the twentieth century by Ameri ...
References
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