On Wed, 11 Jan 2006 23:48:22 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

If someone invented a plug which could mate with another plug (electrical
wise) they'd make a fortune.

Surely you've seen them ! 1960s(?) VHF coax connectors which I'm sure
the BBC must have used somewhere or other. They have a "tulip" shaped
connector with four leaves, two of which go inside and two outside. If
they won't mate, turn them by 90° and try again. The centre "pin" is
actually tubular, a miniature version of the shield.

Probably got the SWR of a hacksawed waterpipe, but they were workable
hermaphrodite plugs.