electric relaxation

Apparently those little fold out wedge things that hold the gas pump down so you don’t have to are called “nozzle hold open latches”. I’ve always been fascinated by these devices, having spent several years pumping gas in the Great White North where they’re both far more useful and far less common than in California. Actually, they’re not entirely missing, they’re just not available at self-service pumps. My theory on the matter was that it was an incentive for you to go with the more expensive full-service option.

Anyway, I’m visiting my folks in Albany, and pumping gas in 21-degree (F) weather without the benefit of a hold open latch prompted me to wonder why Albany was missing them as well. I ran my well-crafted theory past my father, who informed me that it was a load of crap, and that the real reason New York pumps didn’t have the latches was some bogus fire code restrictions.

However, with the aid of the Intarweb I have managed to salvage my reputation, or at least confuse the issue enough to satiate my thirst for inanity. According to a state website, there is no such restriction specified in the fire code.

So what’s the real reason? Who cares. I totally lost interest like half an hour ago.