International Lefthanders Day: Gadgets we wish were made for us lefties

Our world is designed right-handed. And whether we realise it or not, as lefties, we’ve seen ourselves being moulded into an overwhelmingly right-oriented ecosystem. Now, there’s no natural way to reverse learnings passed on to us by generations of right-handed people. However, I’ve often found myself struggling with routine activities, only to realise they’re right-handed, and I’m not actually terrible at them!

Whether it is learning an instrument, mastering a craft or simply using electronics, being a leftie can cause you to feel stunted at multiple day-to-day tasks. Electronics (believe it or not) have also conditioned us to work a certain way. Not all are as seamless to use with a dominant left hand. Don’t believe me? Here are some gadgets I wish were a bit better designed to suit us lefties.

Gimbals

Gimbals are a great way to give your smartphone much-needed stability and get those ultra-smooth shots. Ergonomically, a gimbal will always feel awkward to use with a left hand. A lot of it also depends on the controls developed for the comfort of a right-handed user.

ALSO READ: What is a gimbal?

While I’ve managed to shoot my favourite destinations without complaining, there’s always the afterthought of the orientation seeming ‘off’ when using it with my left hand.

Calculator

Have you ever struggled with a calculator? Yes, a problem no one really talks about! A closer look at the device can show you how many crucial functions are placed towards the right side. Some might say I should’ve been better at math to avoid this inconvenience, but I really hoped to see a calculator with the essential keys on the left back in the day!  

Cameras

A whopping 10 per cent of the population today is left-handed. Still, not many realise that every device, from a DSLR to an instant camera, is created for the convenience of a right-handed individual. If you’re wondering how that’s possible, the placement of the shutter button, or any other control, might be a giveaway.

ALSO READ: What is a DSLR camera and is it for you?

The build and exterior are also moulded to fit a right hand, making it uncomfortable – to say the least – for a southpaw. A left-handed camera would be the dream, but for now, I only hope there’s a workaround for the shutterbugs.

Keyboards

Not a lot of people know that a mouse is designed right-handed. While you have the option of switching the primary keys, most left-handed people (including myself) have learnt to use the device with their right hand.

A keyboard, too, comes with the number pad on the right. And, of course, I’m sure most of us have gotten the hang of typing the traditional way, but we could do with the added comfort of having the arrow and function keys on the left.

That said, a lot of devices today have been re-designed for the convenience of both these orientations. However, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t remind the right-handed ones of this struggle on International Lefthanders Day!