People Needed Help Identifying These Bizarre Objects
We tend to recognize pretty much everything we see on a daily basis, which makes it especially confusing when we discover a gadget, widget, or random device that has no apparent purpose.
Thankfully, it's possible to crowd-source answers from the internet - and the good people at the r/whatisthisthing subreddit can help to unravel the mystery and identify the actual purpose of these deeply strange objects.
Metal, dangly, pointy thing on car
Some commenters guessed that this mystery item may have been some kind of tow strap, but its strap clearly isn't strong enough to haul a vehicle.
Instead, this is an item known as a tsurikawa. While it's intended as a handle to allow subway passengers to hang onto high railings, it's become a decorative item in its own right.
Little nib on backpack chest clip
The clip itself is straightforward enough - just buckle it across your chest for a snug backpack fit. The little nub, though, seems out of place.
As it turns out, the answer can be revealed by literally blowing into it. It's an emergency whistle.
Weird 15-foot tower on Oregon property
This looks almost like a gigantic version of a handheld periscope, the kind that will give you a higher vantage point thanks to the magic of mirrors.
As it turns out, that's exactly what this thing is. It's perched at the edge of a property, at the end of the driveway, and is designed to give the property owner a bird's-eye view of the land.
Heat-producing grate with hoses/tubing coming out
Digging around a newly-purchased property will usually reveal a few mysteries, and this is a perfect example. However, in this case, it may be deadly.
A utility worked commented to explain that this is an electrical transformer, and any visible wires are likely high-voltage - and as such, extremely deadly.
Wall-mounted bucket in a fancy mansion
This mansion is worth $25 million on the open market, but its shower is as rustic (or, at least, faux-rustic) as they come.
In lieu of a standard shower, the homeowner has opted for a bucket shower. It's exactly what it sounds like: fill the bucket with water, then tip the water over your head.
Found hidden in a workplace tissue box
It's a simple button-cell battery attached to a circuitboard with another small piece of equipment - perhaps a speaker or microphone.
While this employee feared it was a covert listening device, the reality is far more harmless: it's literally a prank tool, designed to emit annoying sounds while being difficult to find.
Neighbor just installed this odd box
This looks like some form of advanced surveillance equipment, and it seems that's exactly what it is.
It may be overkill in a suburban setting, but it seems to be military-grade surveillance equipment. It was likely bought second-hand, and conventional security cameras could be installed inside its housing.
What's in this weird case?
A traveler spotted this odd case in an airport and had no idea what it was for - maybe a musical instrument of some sort?
The answer is obvious once you really think about it: it's a hat case, designed to store cowboy (or other wide-brimmed) hats without destroying their shape.
Spikes outside old city gate
These implements can be found on some of the city gates in Florence, Italy. While they're not for causing harm as some may have thought, they're certainly very old.
Known as ferro de facciata, the metal implements date back to the Renaissance era. The spike is a holder for a torch, while the ring is for tethering horses.
Elevated section of flooring
It looks like the hearth for an old-school stove, but this was found in a newer build. While it's possible that this is the case, the power outlet and drywall likely wouldn't play well with a wood-burning stove.
Instead, this is likely designed to place a refrigerator on top of. It isn't a common feature, but the power outlet is a strong clue.
Found in glovebox after an oil change
This is a sign that the mechanic who worked on the car may have done more harm than good, unfortunately.
It's an extremely specific widget known as a glovebox damper, which (had it not been removed) helps the glovebox door open and close smoothly without slamming.
Tubes in the ceiling of an operating room
These clear tubes are too clean and too small to be typical ductwork, yet they're a common feature in older, larger buildings.
Many people have no doubt already guessed this, but they're part of a pneumatic tube system. Messages can be placed inside purpose-built containers, which are then loaded into the tube and sent all over the building thanks to air pressure.
Slots cut into pews in Catholic cathedral
Here's a fascinating one, because there's no definitive answer. The notches would fit a walking stick or an umbrella, but that's likely not the intended purpose.
One commenter noted that some churches get hot and parishioners are given hand fans to cool themselves - and these notches are the perfect size and shape for a small hand fan.
Found in glovebox of a brand-new car
This may have been a mystery, but only briefly. Objects like this come in all shapes and sizes, but their purpose is familiar to just about any driver.
This is a bog-standard glass-breaking tool. It has a sharp, hard nub on one end that can be used to force open windows in case of an emergency.
Tiny mug found in thrift store
It's so small and cute that it looks like a dollhouse accessory, but the notations on the side suggest some sort of actual purpose.
There were plenty of wild guesses, but this is part of a vintage porcelain egg cooker. It helps determine how much water is necessary for individual cooking times.
High-pitched noise emitter
The poster noted that this thing emits a constant high-pitched tone, which sounds deeply annoying.
While it's annoying to humans, it's unbearable for insects and other pests. That's because the tone is designed to drive away mice, insects, and other pests.
Found on hotel room ceiling
It looks almost like a smoke detector, but there are no electronics involved and the disc is made of solid wood.
So if it's a purely analog device, what is its purpose? Commenters believe that the old plaster ceiling was brittle, and using a wooden disc as a de facto washer would help the ceiling stay intact.
Round metal thing (with parachute) fell out of the sky
One could take this as proof that aliens are among us (and sending us gifts to boot), but the reality is far more benign.
This is actually just the weight to a high-altitude weather balloon. It's of earthly origin, but is still a cool thing to hang onto.
Small electronic device with a suction cup
This looks like some sort of spy device, and was found in a secondhand store.
As it turns out, it has nothing to do with spying, even if it is an intriguing form of tech. In the days before radio waves could be used to trigger a long-distance camera flash, devices like this could detect light from a primary flash, thus triggering a secondary flash.
Glass vial with purple liquid inside
This was found on a sidewalk in California, and is about the size of a pen lid.
There were many guesses, from an anti-theft device to part of a fire sprinkler system, but it seems to be a case of medical-grade superglue. When crushed, the glue seeps out and will seal any lacerations.
Inscriptions "explosive, dangerous, detonator" written on it
A police officer said that this was a battery charger of some kind, but the original poster didn't buy this explanation.
As it turns out, this isn't any kind of battery charger but is actually a blasting cap for detonating underground explosives.
Case of small brass caps
This seems like a huge mystery - that is, unless you're familiar with the world of novelty laser pointers.
Each cap here is a head that can be screwed onto a laser pointer, allowing it to cast its light in a variety of shapes.
Heavy bowl with removable insert
This looks like it would be a good popcorn bowl, if only the purpose of that removable thing with holes was known.
Evidently, it would actually be a perfect popcorn bowl, because it's literally designed for the task. That bottom piece is designed to sift unpopped kernels into their own compartment.
Gold plate can rotate, has a plug but does nothing
This was found in a hotel room of all places, and is a weird discovery indeed. If it actually powered on, though, its purpose would be obvious.
As it turns out, this is just a lamp for a bedside table. A bulb in the top (if it worked) would shine onto the gold plate, casting light at the desired angle.
Small reflective square tacked on post
A homeowner woke up to find that someone had tacked this little reflective square onto their fencepost overnight.
It may have been a bit of a mystery at first, but this is a standard survey target - essentially a small target surveyors can focus on to determine elevation.
Ziploc bag of small glass discs
These aren't perfectly disc-shaped, as they have a series of ridges and are slightly convex - almost like tiny ashtrays.
While not as common anymore, these were once used as furniture coasters - little dishes to put furniture feet into so they don't dent the carpet.
Glass barrier hanging from roof of mall
These are the kinds of features that practically everyone overlooks, but become baffling when you really think about them.
In this case, it's one of those nearly-invisible pieces of tech that's designed for safety. In the event of a raging fire, this barrier would help prevent smoke or even the flames themselves from reaching new areas.
Playground bridge with pole at the end
It's a cute little bridge that crosses nothing, but this is standard in playgrounds. That said, what's the pole for?
In all likelihood, the pole was added later on, after neighborhood kids began using the bridge as a bike ramp. It encourages kids to play, but not launch over it.
Found in washing machine, doesn't dissolve
This odorless little smiley face popped up in a washing machine, with no clear sign as to where it came from.
It appears to be the rubber or plastic stamp from a cheap stamp set - likely from something that was left in somebody's pocket.
Solid white block with a handle
This is a really unique one, as it looks pretty bland but has a highly specific purpose. It's known as a standardizing block, and is composed of a known density so it can be compared against the compaction level of soil.
It's actually kind of absurd that this was just left out and not stored properly.
