Looking at the myriad plug designs in Europe alone I have to wonder. Since
they're so huffy about the EU over there, are they looking at adopting a
common electrical standard as well? My god, it must be hell traveling from
one country to another over there - although that Swiss plug looks pretty
well designed - even has an inset socket so the plug doesn't cantilever over
from the weight of the plug head.


Different systems have different advantages and disadvantages.

Euro-style plugs like the one you mentioned has that inset socket
advantage, but it makes plug strips that are awkwardly shaped and
usually have fewer outlets than the US- North-American System. The
wall wart transformers that I've seen in Europe have generally been
physically larger, in most cases.

Also... 240 V. wiring requires stronger insulation, but less conductor
size for the same wattage (because of the higher voltage). The
spacing between the conductor prongs at the plug must be slightly
greater, thus requiring a bigger plug.

In my opinion, the world would be more convenient for international
travelers (and probably better for world trade, as well) if there was
one set of standards for electric power (voltage, frequency, and
plug-style), telephone connectors, cellular phone systems, and TV
broadcast Standards (terrestrial, cable, and satellite) and DVD world
regions (the latter was forced upon us by the motion picture
industry).

It's unlikely that this will ever happen... Not during our lifetimes,
anyway.

Beachcomber