I will never not be amazed by the ability some people have to identify really random things. But that’s honestly one of the coolest parts of the internet to me. There’s really someone out there who can answer and question.
So of course, when it came to the strange things in this list, there was someone to answer them all.
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“Found this while diving in a lake. It’s mostly metallic, but the center tube it’s made out of some sort of glass.”
The fact that it was found in a lake should’ve been a tip off. But Reddit user SaintBaal was quick to identify this strange, rusty thing as a spinning tackle. Like, for fishing.
“What is this loop towards the end of both the sleeves on my jacket? Who would hang their jacket up by the sleeves? What are these for? Solved!”
Just like that last jacket mystery, this one was a pretty simple solve. Reddit user jackrats said, “The fleece can go inside an outer shell jacket. The loops connect inside the sleeves of the jacket so that the sleeves of the fleece don’t come out of the jacket when you take it off.”
“These thin toothpick like objects seem to be made of ivory and are supposedly from the 1900s from China, maybe a game?”
As it turns out, these pieces aren’t from China, they’re actually from Germany. Reddit user Master_Chipmunk was easily able to identify these things as part of a German game called spillikin , which is kind of like pick up sticks.
“What are these strange light pillars in the sky? 0°F in Midwest USA. they are not by powerlines and shown further away in distance.”
It was Reddit user Sydeburnn who showed up with the right answer this time. These light pillars are, in fact, light pillars , which is a light phenomenon that happens during cold nights from time to time. It has something to do with light and ice crystals.
“I have got this strange sealed off door thing in my bathroom and a small hole under it, I recently just thought about it and wanted to ask here so what can it be?”
My guess is that this is a access panel for pipes, which isn’t really so strange of a thing when you think about it.
And everyone in the comment section guessed the same thing. I guess if you don’t know what it is, it would be kind of weird.
“Clear plastic triangle from a sewing kit. Seems to open up slightly, not sure what it is.”
The Reddit commenters quickly identified this thing as a tip protector, for either a thread ripper or a pair of scissors. And here I was thinking it was some kind of weird thimble.
“Toy wheel, or a bearing maybe? About the size of a button, but thicker (~5mm). Material in the middle is coarse.”
Reddit user I_Me_Mine showed up quickly to drop the right answer to this strange little mystery: “Looks like a vintage disc eraser (aka typewriter eraser).”
I didn’t even know you could erase typewriter mistakes.
“WITT small shed at the base of a hill, alongside a burn. No metalwork inside, completely bare.”
Reddit user meowmom1988 said, “It looks a lot like a spring or well house used to house pumping equipment or contain and store water.” And after OP found an old map of the property, they confirmed this answer to be right!
“What is this box with dials, switches, and no labels whatsoever? Wooden box, covered in a grey leatherette/tolex material, found with no labels or information at an antique store in Atlanta, GA.”
“It’s a Radionics Machine. Total BS, but might be worth some money to the right sucker,” said Reddit user GornsNotTinny. So it’s useless, but still kind of cool.
“Rope, pullies and loops. What is this contraption we were gifted?”
Reddit user brock_lee busted out a super obscure response that ended up being the right answer. It’s some kind of resistance band exercise device. Kind of a weird gift to give someone if you ask me.
“What is this object in a restaurant construction site with a handle on top that goes into a plastic ring surrounded by hefty plastic bag material and goes down into a stand with carrying strap on lower left?”
Reddit user robertbadbobgadson had a very simple yet correct answer: “Air flow meter for HVAC to help balance the system.” Don’t you just love it when the answer is that easy?
“Heavy metal object made up of several plates bolted together on a wooden handle. Some markings on either side including what we think is the letters C and a large W.”
Reddit user shockzone quickly identified the thing as a bush hammer for stonework. Then, Reddit user Buttfor3 gave a bit more info on the hammer:
“Bushing hammers are used to flatten rougher surfaces of stone when chipping would remove too much but filing too little.”
“Found in a river in Manchester UK (white number painted on) – seems to have a light bulb but no electric mechanism inside, knob on top pushes down and twists, then releases with a loud click.”
Reddit user rjstoz said, “Looks to be an Eveready bike light of some kind. I recall something about bikes and cars in WW2 having that kind of deflector to reduce lights in blackouts.”
Another amazing catch from a clever internet person!
“Metal cage-like object with a metal piece hanging in the middle. Possibly cast iron 4”x6”.”
The Reddit comment section came to the conclusion that the cage and the clamp inside are two unrelated pieces. The cage is probably for a light, while the clamp looks like some kind of tool for power lines.
“Found near a train track construction site in Germany. Probably around 2m high.”
According to Reddit user da_real_Bearsuit, they’re “Lights. Tall very bright lights with Generators to illuminate the site. They are expandable? Or devices for telemetry?”
Yeah, that makes sense.
“Small silver-colored metal cylinders with flat tabs at the top. No markings. Tabs have a small hole.”
OP ended up finding the answer to this thing on their own:
“Per one of [late step-dad’s] former coworkers, it is something that they would use to calibrate some machines at work. Likely made on-site, which is why they don’t have any writing on them.”
“About 8 inches tall threaded metal with a plastic knob and a platform on the bottom. Has some sort of metal insert on the threading.”
Reddit user the-crab-restaurant had the right answer to this small thing right away. Apparently, it’s a “Clamp for a mitre saw or chop saw.” Yet another amazing solve thanks to the internet.
“Bought this two-tiered wooden rack from a thrift store thinking it was to store shoes. Wasn’t until I got it home that I realized it’s ridiculously small for adult shoes. What is this supposed to be used for?”
That thing is definitely not for shoes. According to Reddit user jackrats, it’s a media shelf, probably for either DVDs or VHS tapes. In other words, it’s somewhat of a relic from the past.
“Some kind of chain with two T’s at the ends.”
Reddit user jackrats once again came through with the right answer. It’s a “Toggle chain. A form of restraint.” It looks like this is something police would’ve used instead of handcuffs at one point in time.
“Metal funnel. It took a lot of beating. Imprinted ’24 AW,’ no other marks. Lighter for scale. Dirt/rust/residue in the tube.”
If you ever played a brass instrument, you’ll probably recognize this thing. The Reddit comments quickly identified this thing as a mouthpiece, apparently specifically for a tuba.
I thought it looked familiar…
“I received an old hard plastic Tupperware utensil shaped like a seahorse. No idea what it is or what it is to be used for.”
Reddit user thatonedesignerguy had all the info on this thing:
“Vintage Collectible Tupperware ‘SLI-SAW-ALL’ Gadget. Tupperware plastic kitchen tool with serrated edge for slicing tomatoes, veggies, soft fruits, even some types of cheese.”
That’s… kind of random.
“Kitchen drawer with sliding metal lid containing perforations.”
Reddit user SnapCrackleMom identified this strange drawer as a bread drawer. It looks like they used to be pretty common in old houses.
I don’t know about you, but I think a bread box would do just fine.
“What is this structure beside a parking garage that is pouring water from inside?”
Reddit use usaroamer took one look at the condensation along the top part of the windows, and declared that this thing is a “Cooling Tower.” I’ll never not be impressed by how easily people can identify the most random things.
“I just moved into this apartment and have no clue what this is. It has a De Dietrich logo, and is approximately half a meter by half a meter in size. The top grates can be lifted like in the photo but I don’t see anything else that can be moved.”
As it turned out, there was someone who could identify this thing. It was Reddit user lejuliendelux, who said, “It’s a fuel powered heater. De Dietrich Europe or Eurolacq.” Nice!
“About 66mm, found half buried outside Great Shelford train station about 10 years ago.”
Reddit user Mackin-N-Cheese had the answer for this one. As it turns out, it’s an old rocket toy : “you put a cap in it and toss it and it makes a bang.”
“Hard, very lightweight blob without any sort of smell. Feels waxy.”
After some back and forth, and finding out that OP found this on a beach years ago, it became clear that this blob is a chunk of foam insulation for a boat. At least it looks cool.
“What is this? Found it in my grandparents house. The bottom of the box is bare except for an address (my grandparents’ house) carved in.”
Reddit user GornsNotTinny said it’s “Just a nice example of a wood turned box with a memento inside.” The thing that was inside the box (on the left of the box in the picture) is still unknown, though.
“Found this gel-like substance in one of my shirts when I took it out of the washer. Already checked and there were no pads/diapers or anything in there. What is this from?”
The Reddit comment section was very unified in identifying this strange substance as a pack of silica gel beads that were left in a pocket during the wash, and got wet and expanded. Makes sense.
“What is this loop inside my coat, next to where the sleeve is?”
Reddit user zzznyk did a little sleuthing and found out that this particular coat is supposed to have a belt, and that loop is where the belt goes. I love how simple the answer ended up being.
“It’s heavy, shiny, looks a bit like a cup, but it has a screw.”
I honestly would’ve never guessed what this thing was in a million years. But I didn’t have to, because Reddit user jackrats swooped in with the right answer. Believe it or not, it’s a nutcracker.
