What may also be "dumb" is the NEMA standards themselves. For example, one interpretation of the NEMA 14-50R standard is that this receptacle can be used "up to 50A". But, it is not as well understood by most consumers that the 50A rating does NOT apply to "continuous loads", in which the maximum current should not exceed 80% of the full load rating (i.e. 40A). Thus, it probably would have been better if NEMA spec'd the 14-50R (and mating 14-50P) as having a maximum "continuous" rating of 40A.
Apparently, at this AC power level possible loads were arc welders, curing ovens, boat winches and the like, only suppose to present a temporary higher load to the outlet, dedicated circuit wiring and protection device. Nevertheless, in the rapidly emerging world of electric vehicles and L2 EVSEs, this type of outlet could (and should) be thought of as a "40A only outlet".
I suspect most consumers (including EV owners) don't relate to maximum outlet ratings as much as the maximum rating of their circuit breaker or fuse protection, which again, does not make it clear how the protected circuit should be derated under continuous load.
