Teach a man to fish...

... and you feed him for a lifetime. Give him instant noodles, and you don't have to teach him anything.

The inventor of instant noodles has died, which is surprising since we never thought that it was invented by a single person. Unlike, say, the steam engine or the light bulb, instant noodles have always given the impression that they were the product of industrial design, a team effort. Oh well, you learn something new everyday. The New York Times has a wonderful editorial (registration required).