door handles, ashtrays, and window switches

[Brett Dikeman <brett@pdikeman.ne.mediaone.net>]

Ok, I'm feeling kinda bored sitting in a friend's driveways waiting for her
to get ready, talking to another friend who was with me.  The conversation
turned towards door handles(ie, "I'll go see what's taking her so long.
Umm...where the hell is the door handle?")

Here's my question.  Interior design should be oriented towards convenience
and function, right?

So why the hell do Audis have lighted ignition keys, ashtrays, window
switches(and now shifter knobs), but NOT door handles?  It is quite
possibly THE most important thing on the damn door.  No one smokes, and
power windows don't get used that much except by the driver, who's very
familiar with the car.

I must admit, the first week or two I had my 200q, in the dark, I couldn't
find the damn inside door handle for a good minute or two.  I had to whip
out my lighted Audi key a few times to find it, which was stupid and
embarassing.
The whole thing could be solved by installing a small, dim red LED driven
off the window-switch light wire, into the plastic "dish" that goes behind
the door handle.  One could set it up very easily to be invisible
direcly(ie, hidden by the handle) yet would provide a dull "locating" glow.
If you wanted to get fancy, get a set of clear "copies" of the plastic made
and light it that way.

Whatcha all think?  It sounds stupid, but if you think about it for a bit,
the door handle is THE most important feature of a door, and being able to
find it, even in the dark, is important!  Install would be very easy...

Brett

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Brett Dikeman
brett@pdikeman.ne.mediaone.net
~)-|
Hostes alienigeni me abduxerunt.  Qui annus est?
Te audire non possum.  Musa sapientum fixa est in aure.
Ita, scio hunc 'sig file' veterem fieri.
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