Why is it that the vast majority of USB cables are 6 feet long? The majority of my time, I need a 1-footer to connect random gadgets to my USB hub. Heck, even a 6-incher would be nice, but a USB cable that coils like a phone handset cord isn’t a bad alternative. 

instructables’ user, Plusea, has a comprehensive walkthrough on how to make one of these puppies. All it requires is a usb cable, a handset cord, snipes, shrink wrap, and a solder gun. It doesn’t look very hard — maybe a one beer project — and suddenly, your desk could a retro, but feel to it.