Ask HN: What non-computer system have you hacked to your advantage?

Taken from my recent YC app:

When I was a freshman in high school, I spent a lot of time building custom PCs for friend's parents to make some extra cash on the side. An issue I ran into early was I never budgeted for the cost of Windows XP Pro so I was left either telling them their order would cost an additional $200+ or use a hacked/stolen/whatever key. I decided that neither was the most opportune option. "The Art of Deception" by Kevin Mitnick was one of my favorite books at the time, and using some of the knowledge gained from that, I found a loophole in Microsofts phone-tree that allowed me access to a high-tier representative. I then came up with a few clever and elaborate scenarios and ended up receiving over $5000 worth of Windows XP Pro keys without ever paying a cent...or buying an initial copy for that matter.

I used to start my grandfather's pickup truck - a Chevy Indian from the 1950s or so - without operating the starter. I left off the parking brake, it coasted backwards down the driveway, then at just the right moment I released the clutch. With some practice I could start the engine every time.

This was the only way to start manual transmission vehicles when I was growing up, not out of necessity but because it could be done. Living at the top of a hill, I'd let the car start rolling and pop the clutch once I got going. Worked every time after, like you said, some practice.

Side question, am I crazy or has YC just removed this semi-iconic question from their application page?

It's under the individual founder's profiles.

trying to get ideas? :)