Life is full of puzzles, from jigsaws to riddles and beyond. However, not every puzzle can be solved alone, and we need to reach out for some help.
When faced with mystery objects, these people took to the internet, and with the help of some knowledgable strangers, were able to put a name to their find.
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“Large metal structure with 4 circles on tall poles which can be moved.”
No exact name, but it’s part of a low-cost solar energy project that has been launching in a few states. Worth keeping an eye on to see if they become more common in our future!
“Wooden cup with straight handle and center spike.”
Pretty simple, it’s a rice mold! Creates a small divot on top for garnishes and accompanying foods.
“What is the use of this fourth piece of cutlery I’ve seen in a German museum?”
This is known as a food pusher. More common in the 1800s, it was mainly used by children to push food onto their forks as not to get their hands dirty.
“Large metal abandoned object.”
The uploader guessed it was the top of a building, and they wound up being correct, but someone managed to find the exact building based off the location.
Seems it was originally atop Gosford House in Scotland!
“I found this and can’t figure out what it is.”
Have you ever gotten an ad or seen a video of those paint-by-number kits, but instead of paint you stick on tiny rhinestones? This is the pen used in that craft to pick up and place the jewels.
“What is this metal object we found in the woods in Stockholm, Sweden?”
This is a smudge pot, specifically one used in construction. Or, one that used to be used in construction. It was used as warning lights along roads at night to mark off where construction was happening.
“A relative who traveled a lot passed away. She had this at her house. The oval ball in the middle is loose and shakes around.”
A bit of a morbid object, this is a cannibal fork. More likely a replica, but the shape matches.
Cannibal forks were used in centuries-old Fijian tribes to feed human flesh to leaders, chiefs, and priests, as they were considered too holy to touch the food. Hopefully not what this one will be used for.
“What is little circle thing for on this toothbrush?”
Finally, something I know, and it is perhaps the most mundane on the list. The colored rings are just identifiers so you know which toothbrush is yours. When you have a whole family using these, it could quickly get confusing without them!
“This is in our front yard in Philly. […] It’s extremely light, isn’t very large, and the texture seems to be resembling wool […].”
Not quite wool, but still animal hair. Someone guessed that someone nearby must be working on an upholstery project, as this looks like stuffing from antique upholstery, namely horse or hog hair.
“Wooden stand with spindles. Gap in between bottom two planks.”
Odd at this angle, but it makes more sense when turned on its side. The square plank currently on top can slide up and down the poles, making it an adjustable book rack .
“Bundle of rubbery sheets found washed up on a beach in the Caribbean.”
In a fun line of connection, someone knew the answer due to the show How It’s Made ! These are rubber sheets that were made from harvesting rubber trees that must have fallen off a boat during transport.
“Strong white ivory pen sized, flat object.”
The uploader and her husband thought it could be used in either knitting or kilting, but both were incorrect, though it is still used in crafts. It’s a folding bone, used most often by bookbinders and other paper workers to create sharp folds.
“This white handle in the wall next to the toilet in a 1920s Los Angeles apartment bathroom. Cavity is open on both sides of the slot. Couple of inches deep.”
Before toilet paper rolls, there was interfold toilet paper. Think napkin dispensers and tissue boxes. Same concept, but in a wall!
“This tool is in a shed that we are cleaning out, belongs to a trail maintenance conservation corps.”
A fitting tool, this is called a Swedish clearing axe, and is made for clearing brush and small trees.
“Why is there a ‘Super Antenna’ glued onto a drain cover?”
Would you believe this is actually connected to a form of microphone? Not for those walking above, but for water below! A water industry worker explained that it’s the antenna for a noise logger, a device that records pipework to detect leaks.
“In a bag of frozen beef from my raw dog food supplier.”
This isn’t some alien parasite in a bag of dog food, it’s a cut of ox cheek! The spikes are part of a membrane that was left on and super common.
They’re better off removed, and easily done so when cooking, but in this case, it might be easier to just throw the piece away.
“[Flat] plastic utensil (?) found in the tupperware drawer, made from flimsy plastic.”
A specific design for a specific purpose, this is a tool made for stacking funnels, just to keep them organized!
“What is this kitchen item? About the right size to hold an orange with 5 pointy spikes.”
An object that when separated from its other half, makes absolutely no sense. The spikes are there to hold food as you drag them along a mandoline slicer!
“Believe this is an ashtray but mostly confused by the square bit on the top.”
The ashtray part is correct, and the square on top is to hold a small box of matches. Kept everything convenient.
“Feels like hard rubber and was found in the ground.”
The symbols in particular are cattle brands, but the rubber disc is actually a base for a horseshoes set. Like, the game.
