The Blue Man group has been utilizing PVC pipe, cut and bent to various lengths to make music for a few years now. They started out sans a lot of the electronics but later morphed into a major concert draw complete with drums, strings and all the glitz and flash that has made them what they are. They’re interesting to say the least.
My father installed aluminum storm doors as a part time job for several years back in the 60's. He brought home all the aluminum molding scraps. I used to put them end to end to make marble runs. This was one of my favorite things to do. So I watched several videos about development of this Marble Machine. He got up to 50,000 marbles. Then there was a surprise ending. He said he started with a poor design and had stubbornly refused to give it up, so he quit, at least for the time being. (Advice from Elon Musk: "Make your requirements less dumb.") Marble Machine X - A Lesson in Dumb Design BTW, they make toy kits similar now.
I followed the guy for quite a while and think I even posted a video back around 2016 or so. Just when I’d think he had it finally finished he’d come up with another idea or repair to a problem or yet another addition to his very expensive musical toy.
I don't believe it was always that easy. Think of all the out-of-square door openings there are in the world. No battery powered tools. Cold and snow in the winter. Layers of insulated clothing. (This all does tie into your thread topic, by the way. Making extra money for what some might call pipe dreams. )
Today's "storm" doors, seem pretty light weight, compared to the ones your Dad installed. His could weather a real storm, I'll bet!
"Our hugely talented and fun percussionists at the Mountbatten Festival of Music 2019 from the Royal Albert Hall, London." Pipe Dream | Funny Percussion Duet | The Bands of HM Royal Marines