h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Ditto trousers. And Jackets. In fact, a no-ironing-needed fabric. On which remembers the shape it's meant to be and springs back into shape after washing. If it had built-in deodorant and a teflon coating to negate the need for washing too, this would be good. I would have an extra 3 or 4 hours a week to spend in the pub. There's a thought!

Or, of course, an ironing machine.

Why is the most hated of household chores the only one to have had no attempt to automate it (or at least no successful attempt)?

Or is it the most hated because it is the last truly manual job?

The person who invents the ironing machine will become very rich, very fast.

You could always abscond with the trouser press from the next hotel you stay in.....

I work in my local Red Cross charity shop as a volunteer and we use this wonderful thing called a "steamer" which you just run over clothes while they're hanging up! It's much faster than ironing!

Do people still iron? I thought that went out in the 60's?

I agree ironing went out many years ago. The secret is to tumble-dry clothes gently, take care when hanging on the clothesline, and fold them neatly before putting them away in their proper place. Perfect.

What we really need is heavily-scented 3-ply toilet paper. That way the little room will always smell nice.

Not after a curry it won't. Trust me.