It may not happen all that often, but when it does, it can be pretty annoying. I’m talking, of course, about finding a random object that you can’t identify.
It happened to these people, and they were pretty stumped . Luckily, the internet is a powerful place, and they were able to find the answers they were looking for pretty quickly, just by asking the good folks over at Reddit’s r/whatisthisthing community.
“Weird triple outlet on the floor of my office? Located in America. Too wide for a regular plug.”
A bunch of people commented under this post with the right answer. It’s a power supply for multiple outlets in a cubicle. Makes sense.
“Ceramic plate with 6 circular divots. Often found in thrift stores near kitchen items.”
For some reason, I thought these things would be related to paint palettes. But according to the Reddit comments for the original post, they’re escargot plates.
“Okay, this item has a name which explains its purpose, but what I would like to know is its practical application? What did it come off?”
From the name, you might be able to guess that this thing is a leveler of sorts. What does it level, exactly? Well, according to the Reddit commenters, it’s for RVs (and boats).
“Small metal object with a red spring and pointed tip. The top has the words, ‘⅛ LOXIT.’ When you press the top down it pushes the bottom tip out.”
The Reddit comments called this thing a temporary rivet. It’s some kind of hardware tool, I guess — a rivet that is, you know, temporary.
“Metal tool found when digging a trench. Maybe farm tool? – MS, USA.”
The Reddit comments identified this strange things as an anchor rod, which would’ve been used for utility lines and stuff like that.
“Found on a beach in Thailand (Koh Phangan). We thought it might be a pearl, but googled pictures of pearls and they don’t match.”
Along with the help of the comment section, OP found the answer. This thing is a nut from a plant called caesalpinia bonducella .
“Large blue cog, 21 inches diameter and 7 inches wide. It’s pretty heavy, 36kg.”
Based on the comments, it looks like this is a machine printed… thing. Could have been a test, or maybe something else. We probably won’t know exactly what it was supposed to do, sadly.
“Found on the surface whilst walking through a WW1/2 coastal artillery battery. Handle/cog looking thing. 100mm long, but clearly broken, 35mm outer diameter, 25mm inner diameter.”
The Reddit comments identified this thing as some kind of old carbon battery core. How interesting…
“Metal object. The left hand tip is threaded and has a small cap that screws on it. The different sized cylinders slot onto the long rod. They are numbered 3-6. About 6” long.”
Reddit user roccomonte guessed that they “look like slip fit drill bushings a structures mechanic would use.” And that was right!
“What is this thing in the side of the interstate? It’s a pipe coming up out of a cement “box” that is round. There were 5 or 6 spread out over about a mile.”
The Reddit commenters were no stranger to this thing. It’s a vent pipe. Come to think of it, I feel like I’ve seen one before…
“Some kind of device was left in my office. If you press the black button it starts flashing lights.”
Apparently, this thing is nothing more than a keychain LED light. No big mystery to be seen here, I guess.
“Several metal poles on scaffoldings, with 2-3 orange strips affixed on top, in a street of Zürich.”
Reddit user Bergfalkin had the best explanation for this: “In Switzerland you have to show planned new buildings this way for a certain amount of time before you’re allowed to start building. The purpose being that neighbors or other affected people can raise an objection if they feel the new building would inconvenience them or devalue their own property, etc..”
“It is about 1.5 inches square and flips open when you press the lever on the side. It also has what looks like crosshairs etched into the glass, but the lens makes everything look smaller instead of magnifying.”
The Reddit comment section seems pretty adamant that this is a viewfinder for an old camera. That would… make sense.
“Found in a truck’s console. Looked it up and it is some sort of credential reader but I’m confused on what it does.”
Funny enough, OP ended up answering their own question. It’s a credential reader that… reads credentials. But I’m glad I know what a credential reader looks like, now.
“Royal(?) copper ’tile’ stamped backwards with ‘Lady Lovelace, Kensington Palace.'”
If the comment section is to be believed (and I’d say they should be), this is some kind of old timey printing plate, probably for a card. Pretty neat, if you ask me.
“Little crystal ball thing hanging on the wall of the living room and bedroom. What is this?”
The comment section had some pretty good guesses, but at the end of the day, they decided that it had to be a holder for canopy ties. Which actually makes perfect sense.
“A clown thing. It’s made of glass and is open on the bottom end. The inside is hollow.”
Believe it or not, this is a Christmas tree topper (according to the Reddit comments for this post). No word on why it’s a clown, though.
“Kids pack on air flight contained these with no explanation or instructions. What are they?”
The Reddit comments knew what the deal was with these things. They’re supposed to be airplane wings, so that kids can make little toy airplanes while they’re in their seats.
“Old folding desk in my prof’s office.”
My first thought was that it could be a sewing desk, like you’d put a sewing machine in the hole there.
According to the Reddit comments, I’m right!
“Small blue circle with silver circles, came in green and yellow silky pouch.”
According to the Reddit comment section, this thing is just some faux “magical” knickknack, with a nice little pouch. Well, I guess the pouch would be useful.
