If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Here are some examples of people and things in the “don’t fix it” class.

Tim Lincecum, who was a Major League pitcher for ten seasons: 2007-2016. He was nicknamed “The Freak” because his throwing mechanics were so unorthodox. He was not powerfully built, being only 5 feet 11 and 170 pounds. But he was a power pitcher and strikeout king. Trying to “fix” his technique would have made his pitching worse, not better.

Vladimir Horowitz, one of the greatest pianists of all time, played with his hands in the “wrong” position. His palms were usually below the level of the key surface. He often played chords using straight fingers, and the little finger of his right hand was often curled up until it was needed to play a note. His technique had other faults, as well. But the sound he produced melted the hearts  of audiences.

Ethel Merman was a strong and unique singer. I believe it was George Gershwin who told her to never take a singing lesson.

When I was in the army in the 1980s, our unit had a .50 caliber machine gun, model M2. The design was created by John Browning near the end of WWI. The M2 was used extensively during WWII, we used it in the 1980s, and it’s used today by armies all around the world. It ain’t broke.

Neither is the ram pump, invented in 1774. A stream of water flowing down hill enters the pump, causing a valve at the end to close. As water continues to flow into the pump, pressure builds up, causing another valve to open, allowing the pressurized water to shoot into a vertical chamber. There is an exit pipe part way up in the chamber.

Pressure in the chamber forces water out that pipe to whatever location needs the water. The escaping water relieves the pressure in the chamber. Once the pressure eases, the chamber valve closes and the first one opens again. This cycle is repeated 40 to 90 times a minute. So without electricity or a gas-powered engine, a ram pump pumps water.

In many a cowboy movie, there is a windmill, used to pump water from a well. Instead of using the force of downward running water, these use the power of the wind. Invented in 1854, the windmill is still used on many ranches in the U.S and Australia. It ain’t broke.

Chopsticks. The design hasn’t changed in thousands of years. I eat popcorn with chopsticks, which keeps my fingers unbuttered and slows my consumption. Neither a fork nor a spoon are useful substitutes.

Fountain pens. At my desk, I use a fountain pen and a bottle of ink. It’s immensely satisfying and smooth.

One guy added this entry to the ain’t broke category: “The horseshoe crab. Still working fine after 450 million years.”

Today, in the name of profits, companies are constantly trying to sell us “new and improved” versions of things that ain’t broke. (I’m looking at you, Microsoft.)