Some of the things out there that people need help identifying are mostly normal-looking, like they’re slightly different versions of things we already know and love (or hate?). Other things are just weird. That’s it. They have no other explanation .
People took to Reddit to find out what these things are, and so many of them are just strange. It really makes you wonder how people are always finding this kind of stuff.
“What is this piece of seemingly old tech? Found in a pile at a university.”
Reddit user guessimcanadiannow gave us a really random explanation for this chunky bit of tech: it just so happens to be some kind of wearable computer from the 90s. Like a strange, primitive smartphone or something like that. Technology sure is weird.
“I started seeing these utility pole guards in Massachusetts. Many, but not all poles have them.”
These strange things were put on some utility poles in the area. But why? Probably to protect them from something, I’d guess.
And that would be right. The theory on the web is that they’re used to keep them standing after they start decaying and stuff like that.
“Circular metal tool, found in new construction home plumbing.”
It’s a little hard to see what’s going on in this picture, but you can sort of tell that it’s some kind of strange item inside of a pipe.
As it turns out, it’s a pipe reamer that the previous plumber probably lost in there.
“What sport is played on this court? Green painted concrete with 6 ~6ft blue squares painted on. Just recently was added to local park, no signs up though.”
For once, I actually know this one (and no, it has nothing to do with strange alien or cult-like practices).
It’s a pickleball court. Never played the game, but I’ve seen people draw those squares on the ground to play.
“Seen yesterday in Columbus, OH; seems fragile to leave uncovered on a truck.”
Of all the strange things trucks transport across the highway, I’ve never seen anything like that before.
But a surprising amount of people on Reddit have. They’re called pipe pigs, and they’re used to inspect pipelines. Who would’ve thought.
“Old numbered roughly 3″x 5″ cubbies on the wall of an old bar outside Chicago.”
Sometimes, the simplest explanation is the right one. I looked at these and thought they could be mail boxes, but then thought they were probably too small to be mail boxes.
Turns out, they’re mail boxes. And super old ones, at that.
“This has a wooden handle and metal top with 5 sharp pointy tips and is about 8 1/2 inches long. Was found with a bunch of antique kitchen utensils.”
This thing looks like the more heavy duty cousin of a cocktail fork. But don’t worry, it isn’t that.
banjomama11, the person who originally asked about the object, decided it has to either be some kind of old ice pick, or some kind of old meat tenderizer.
“Metal roll (aluminum or tin) found in Upstate NY. It has been outside for 10+ years.”
Whatever this strange, mechanical object is, it probably doesn’t work anymore.
Redditor Special-Attitude-242 described it as some kind of Catholic book of sermons, and that’s probably the most we’re going to be able to go off of. Either way, it’s definitely something related to the Christian faith.
“This is seemingly a glass flask covered in paper that feels like paper-mache. It’s like a small pumpkin with a spout and a lid with plastic ridges and a wood ball.”
Is it a bottle that holds some kind of potion that lets you travel anywhere on the globe? Probably not. But it is a decanter of sorts, according to multiple Reddit users who know this kind of thing.
“What is this giant Lightbulb? Markings all worn away.”
Thanks to MitsyEyedMourning on Reddit, this was one mystery that was able to be solved quickly. Rather than being some kind of lightbulb, it’s a radio electron tube. For a radio. That’s actually a pretty neat piece of old tech.
“Round hole in the wall with a push button and rubber seal. The hole goes upwards in the wall.”
One of the perks of living in an older home is that you actually see some of these random things from time to time.
This is a plug for a central vacuum. You plug the vacuum into one of these wall sockets, and it sends all the dirt into a receptacle somewhere in your house.
“Zipper case with a padded bit inside that hooks onto a button.”
Although this little pouch looks a bit strange, it has a pretty normal explanation. It’s a travel jewelry pouch. That would explain why the inside is all soft and padded. Seems like it could come in handy on a vacation.
“What are these metal signs stuck in the ground all over England that have feet and inches stamped into them?”
For starters, it’s pretty weird that something in England has imperial measurements on it, since they do metric over there.
But multiple people knew exactly what this was, including Redditor inny_mac, who wrote, “it’s a fire hydrant marker. The hydrant will be in the ground and the numbers on marker indicate things like depth and diameter.”
“What is this very powerful black light in a metro area?”
There were a few theories about this one online, including some people thinking it might be related to stopping illegal drug use. But the most likely reason this light is bright purple is that it just needs to be replaced.
“Small glass jar with electrical connections, check valve, PEX style fitting, and an adjustable fitting connected to a dip tube on the lid.”
Reddit user Aintaword gave a pretty good answer for this strange science experiment-looking thing: “Looks like a hydrogen generator contraption someone homemade to increase fuel economy. They don’t work.” That would explain why it’s just a jar with connectors sticking out of it.
“Single gang wall plate with holes in commercial office space.”
IRunSlowButFar on Reddit identified this strange contraption as a fire extinguisher monitoring solution. Not entirely sure what that means, but it seems like the kind of thing that you’d probably find in a commercial space, and not in a home.
“What is this stuff growing out of the nail holes in my ceiling?”
If you have anything coming out of the holes in your walls or ceilings, you should probably be concerned. In this case, as Redditors were quick to point out, it’s termite frass. Which means there are termites in the structure. Not good.
“20cm long rod with blue handle and shallow thread on the end. Any idea what it’s used for?”
In all honesty, it looks like some kind of weird, long screw. But, as multiple people on Reddit were quick to point out, it’s a tent stake. It probably got separated from the rest of its set.
“What is this object? About 25cm long, quite light, wood covered with red/gold fabric and other decorations.”
This object is definitely cooler than it is weird, but the fact that it was found in a canal is kind of strange.
And as it turns out, it’s something called a Manek Stambh, which is used in Hindu wedding ceremonies.
“My great great grandad was interned in the UK during WW2. He made this while interned. My family has no idea what the fabric squares of flags and regiments come from.”
A few different people chimed in on this on Reddit. Each of those patches are cigarette cards, which used to be made of silk and came from cigarette cartons. Not the strangest thing to use as a decoration, that’s for sure.
“What are these 10 cm long metallic pieces found on a ridge line in Telluride Colorado? They appear rusted and have man made markings, possibly shrapnel from avalanche blasting?”
These super strange objects, as Reddit user Youneededthiscat describes, are probably debris from some kind of avalanche prevention mechanism, like a howitzer. How fascinating.
“Prickly roller.”
This is a mystery that this Reddit user hoped to finally solve after originally posting a picture of the item to the site 8 years ago! And they got pretty lucky, because a few Reddit users identified the object easily.
It’s some kind of pain relief roller, made in Germany.
“This tool looks like a screwdriver. The end bent and has a hole.”
A few Redditors offered some suggestions, but nothing really stuck. That is, until Reddit user TheBuffChicken identified it as “an old tool for plugging tire punctures.” And as it turns out, that’s exactly what this thing ended up being.
“What is this metal thing with a wooden handle? Is it missing something? Found at Goodwill.”
There are people out there who just know what these kinds of things are without a second guess. Like codece on Reddit, who described this thing as a fireplace trivet: “You can put it in the fire and then put a kettle or pan on it.”
“What is this tool? About 2 inches tall, made of metal with a screw in the back. Found in a bathroom after a repair.”
Whether you’re a plumber, or someone who does a lot of repairs or renovations, you might know what this bit is. It’s the end part of a drain auger or sewer snake. Makes sense that it was found after a bathroom repair job.
“Found at an antique market in Wisconsin USA. About 6″ across the top, the hole is about 3.5″. Tiny spittoon!?”
Believe it or not, this incredibly tiny receptacle has been identified as an antique chamber pot! For kids, though. Like, toddlers being potty trained and such.
Definitely not a teacup, so whatever you do, don’t drink out of it!
“Plastic pole with fork, about 21″ and extends to 27″. Fork at the end folds close to pole and at 90 degrees both ways, it’s a soft plastic do probably not for gardening.”
Here’s another one that’s actually really easy. Most of us have probably seen these, just not looking the way this one does now.
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It’s an off-brand Swiffer duster. You know, without the actual duster part on it.
“Is this gold inside my activated carbon undercounter water filter?!”
Well, it’s a filter, so whatever it is probably helps purify water. Redditor spyrenx says, “Looks like it’s probably copper-zinc, used in filters to filter heavy metals.” I think we have a winner on this mysterious substance. Turns out it’s nothing to worry about (or try to sell).
“A three inch long suspected cooking utensil. The knife like edge is blunt. No words or other markings.”
I’m pretty convinced now that any strange-looking knife-like object is probably some kind of tool used to make decorations out of fruit. And this, of course, is one of them. Can’t say I’m too surprised.
“Wooden Roller approximately 6.5″ long has a stamp that says made in the USA.”
Apart from the fact that it’s clearly meant to roll over something, this strange object is pretty mysterious.
That is, unless you’re Reddit user likkachi, who knows exactly what this is for. It’s called a brayer, and it’s used for printmaking.
