Editor's note: This column is part of 'Why Do We?' — a weekly video series hosted by culture expert Martin Lindstrom that untangles unique quirks of human behavior. Click here for the full series page ...

Can we speak, for a moment, about the humble elevator button? I know, there could hardly be a more seemingly inconsequential design element, yet the elevator button has become the bane of my existence ...

Let's be honest, shall we? Every single one of us has pushed the 'close door' button in the elevator whether someone was coming or not because we just want to keep moving. Hey, I've done it. I've even ...