we lived without dishwashers, washers, dryers, etc., but women didn't live to be very old, if you care to look back.  They also had a passle of children who spent large parts of their time doing these necessary tasks.  Should we go back to having 10 children each and ceasing their formal education at sixth grade so they could be home in order to help us with these necessary tasks?

I do get a kick out of all of the patents, though...I've read other pieces that poke fun of many that are applied for.  I think this just goes to show that we are still a very innovative society.  What would I like to see invented?  Self-cleaning clothes.