Symmetry is wonderful. It is part of the whole balance thing. The ying for the yang. The right for each left. And a necessity for those of us who believe there is a place for everything and everything has its place.
I was reminded of the need for symmetry and balance the other day when I had a hangnail and trimmed it off with some clippers. Then I decided to trim all the nails on my left hand. My daughter told me we were late to go somewhere, so I put the clippers down and decided I would do the right hand later. I was off kilter all night, as I couldn’t get the unfinished nail thing off my mind.
My barber told me of a similar story when he was trimming those crazy eyebrow hairs on a customer. He said he trimmed one side and then got caught up in a conversation and forgot to do the other. The customer came back — with his head tilted.
Have you ever noticed how many things are truly symmetrical? Cut them in half, and you get the same thing on both sides. Our faces are symmetrical. So are our bodies. When cut the long way, a bicycle is even symmetrical. But a car isn’t. Huh?
Can someone explain why steering wheels are not in the middle of otherwise-symmetrical vehicles? I sort of understand why we in the U.S. do the opposite of those in the U.K., but why isn’t the steering wheel in the middle on all cars, everywhere?
Some say it is safest when the driver is placed closest to the middle of the road, which is on the left side in America. OK, I will buy that. But then why are the steering wheels for boats traditionally placed on the right side? Well, according to boatingbasicsonline.com, there are several “technical and conventional reasons, lookout theories, and even international disciplines that come together and keep the steering wheels of boats on starboard.”
In plain English, it comes down to propellers. According to the same website, “as propellors spin clockwise, the motion tends to put the left side down. The port side is then pushed by around 2 to 3 degrees physically. In turn, the right side of the boat will significantly rise out. The weight of the one behind the steering wheel may prevent this rise and keep the ship afloat.” Phooey.
Meanwhile, some modern pleasure crafts and wooden speed boats do have steering wheels on the left. Sometimes, they can also be found in the center. That makes sense, at least from a symmetrical point of view.
Now pass me the nail clippers.
Have a wonderful Wednesday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305 | 
