I honestly have no idea what we used to do before the internet . Like, how else would we find out what the random mystery objects we find really are? I seriously doubt libraries would be able to tell you where to look for answers.
But that doesn’t matter, because the internet is here to stay. And thanks to it, these people were able to identify these strange things.
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“These bricks underneath an aggregate slab where I am digging my pond (close to 4 feet deep). Water keeps rushing in.”
When it comes to digging a pond, this thing will definitely complicate things. It’s the remnants of an old septic tank that’s no longer in use (OP confirmed that they use city sewers at this property).
“What are those pliers called and used for? It has some sort of spring scales at the front. Used to belong to a blacksmith.”
It didn’t take long before a bunch of Reddit comments appeared, most of which saying that this is a pair of wire strippers. You know, I’ve used wire strippers before for installing light fixtures (yup, I’m pretty handy), but they didn’t look anything like these.
“Clear plastic, spring mounted clip for something. The two circles align when you squeeze the clip.”
According to Reddit user Rawkish, this thing is one of those clips that help to keep blinds up. Which makes a lot of sense, actually.
Honestly, how do people think of these things so quickly?
“Freebie at work. Keychain. Breaks apart. Black is rubber and solid on the inside and oddly shaped (I think that’s for its purpose). White piece is just hollowed out hard plastic. Approximately 2 inches.”
“I think it’s like an amplifier for a cell phone, you would stick your phone in it and it basically megaphones the speaker,” Reddit user fleanine said. And what do you know? When OP went to try it out, that’s exactly how it worked!
“Found this dry mass in an unused cupboard.”
There were some pretty freaky answers (like some people thinking it was the remnants of a dead mouse), but in the end, Reddit user bush_warden said, “They look like a collection of husks from the Larder Beetle larvae.” And that was it! Still not good, but better than a mouse.
“Yellow pillar with lights, buttons and a keyhole on it at a German train station. The train driver interacted with it using a key.”
Reddit user Vollpfosten knew what was up with this intricate-looking switch panel:
“Those buttons are used to signal the train staff to close the doors, to warn them, etc. (the Zp buttons). The Zfm buttons are to tell the dispatcher that the train is ready to go.”
“Metal piece found in field, light (10g?). No sharp edges, sure I’ve seen one before.”
Reddit user Acetabulum99 had the incredibly specific response to this incredibly specific thing: “Looks like the internal lock back mechanism of a folding pocket knife.”
Seriously, how do people just know these things?
“Curved metal piece with attached leather strap.”
Reddit user jackrats, who’s proven time and time again that they’re a pro at finding obscure things, knew this one from the get-go. Apparently, it’s a thing called an Arm Blaster, which can be used to help during bicep curls when weight training. Wild.
“Received this with a spatula and whisk so I assume it’s something for the kitchen. Same size as a standard whisk. What could this be used for?”
To be clear, the thing is the rod on the left, not the whisk on the right.
In any case, a few Reddit users chimed in with the right answer. It’s a honing steel, or knife sharpener. I feel like I should’ve known this one…
“Made from a single long thin piece of wire forming interlocking coils.”
Reddit user KenDB3 identified this one pretty quickly as an “original kinetic spring toy.” So the big mystery here just ended up being some kids’ plaything. Not as interesting as I’d have thought, but still pretty cool.
“This thing high up on the wall in my apartment living area will not stop beeping. I tried to make out the letters but it’s been painted over. What is it?”
A bunch of different comments identified this thing as some kind of old fire alarm, but Reddit user somewastelander figured out the exact brand. It’s Gentex (which honestly means nothing to me, but at least it was helpful).
“Aluminum pipe coming out of ground where an old non-working outdoor kitchen was. 6.5” diameter and connected was connected to the cooktop.”
“That is galvanized air duct material. There was either an air supply for a burner or if it was a Jenn Air type (or similar) cook top it was for the down draft vent van they use,” Reddit user old-uiuc-pictures said. OP confirmed that their old cooktop was Jenn Air, so it checks out!
“I found some metal rods in a coffee can in my attic. I was thinking leather punches but i don’t know. Rough numbering is 1-19.”
Reddit user PKDickman, another pro at finding obscure things, figured this one out pretty quickly: “They look like dapping punches for making small domes in metal ( think beads).” This was, of course, the right answer.
“Not really an object, but does anyone know what this thing in my basement is for? Looks like previous owners or the contractor have closed it off.”
After a few different theories, Redditor rumenocity5 figured it out. It’s some kind of old cistern:
“The top would be open and it would have water in it. How much would depend on how much rain there was. They are considered a liability now and are always filled in (here in the USA anyway).” So strange.
“Clamshell shaped plastic piece on metal rod. Found on the dash of vintage truck. Looks like it can bend at the joint. Plastic looks like it can diffuse light but for what?”
According to Reddit user nascraytia, it’s a “traffic light viewer.” These things apparently used to help people see traffic lights without their sights being obscured. I never would’ve guessed.
“A wall in my house (built in the 50’s) made from some fibrous, flaky unknown material.. what is this stuff?”
Although pretty much every single comment on this thread identified this thing as an old particle fiber board, the right answer ended up being from Redditor Cruush_Halochek, who called it horse hair plaster. How specific.
“What would this kind of ratchet strap be used for?”
According to Reddit user dbaser13, “It is for pulling flooring planks/panels together as they are installed.” And it looks like this was a good enough answer for OP, which means it’s a good enough answer for the rest of us.
“In a kitchen drawer, came with the house, spring loaded and metal.”
Once again, this incredibly specific item got an incredibly specific answer, this time from Reddit user justsumgurl. It just so happens to be a pizza pan gripper, which I think is self-explanatory.
Man, the internet sure is one powerful place.
“It’s a kind of ‘book’ made of wood; I don’t know what the language is. It is lot of long, fine wood slices, connect with a cord in the center and two bigger wood parts that protect the written slices. No idea where it came from (found it at a garage sale).”
Reddit user PinAndKneedle happened to know exactly what this thing is:
“The script is old Javanese script called Kawi. The whole thing is called Lontar Kawi. Lontar is the strip made from palm leaves.” Color me impressed!
“Cast, about 6 inches long, the cross arm is spring loaded and catches on what looks like a trigger. Possibly a marble shooter but for what?”
This time, it was Reddit user ponytail1961 who had the right answer, identifying this thing as part of a 3 Dogs Marble Shooter game. How people know these things is beyond me.
