During the American roadtrips of our college days, every rest stop had the same bank of porcelain sinks that you'd see in a roadside diner, gas station or truck stop. But lately we've noticed they've all got Bradley Corp "Lavatory Systems," which are more design-y. Question is, why? Are they cheaper? Do rest stop owners actually care about aesthetics?

It appears to be a combination of things. Bradley's sinks install 50% faster, have tankless hot water heaters, infrared controls to cut down on the germies, and they typically spread one soap dispenser among two sink basins under the assumption that not every sink will be in use at the same time.

Whether they're any easier on the eyes is a judgment call, but we appreciate that design and efficiency are becoming more integrated into even the basest of American institutions.