Sometimes, a mystery seems so complex, you wonder if you’ll ever find an answer to it. But that doesn’t always have to be the case. A bunch of mysteries can be solved pretty easily — with the help of the internet, that is.
No, it didn’t take magic powers or psychic abilities to find out what these weird things were. Just a bit of good old fashioned internet sleuthing.
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“A kitchen utensil with a wooden handle, attached to a round metal cup with 3 spikes (with holes in).”
What’s clear about this thing is that it’s some kind of funnel. The consensus online for it is that it’s either for making funnel cakes (or similar pastries), or for making noodles.
“Found this by the campfire. Has a glass water compartment attached, with a hole on the top. The water doesn’t escape the hole very well. Any idea of it’s purpose/use?”
Reddit user ultrasource said, “I have one of these. It’s an oil lamp. The glass is filled with lamp oil and there is a wick that soaks the oil and protrudes out the top of the rock through the small hole so that the flame looks like it is floating on the rock slab.”
Makes sense that it was found at a campsite, then.
“A pocket-sized metal box from 1924 with a plunger-ejector mechanism.”
Reddit user gn_like_lasagna figured this one out really quickly. It’s a pipe filler , which is essentially a thing that fills tobacco pipes with, you guessed it, tobacco. I love it when the answer is nice and easy.
“What is this thing my friend got into his shop? Looks like a chopstick set to me but can’t work out what the other pieces would be for.”
This one was a pretty simple solve. A few Reddit users chimed in to say that the fish-shaped and block-shaped pieces are rests for the chopsticks so they don’t sit directly on your table.
“Anybody can help with what type of power connector is this? This a percolator from around 1960s-70s era.”
According to MrDorkESQ on Reddit, “It is just a mains voltage 2 prong appliance cable. Sometimes they are brand specific, and they are definitely country specific.” And it looks like OP doesn’t have a connector that will work with it.
“This looks like a typewriter but the letters are in alphabetical order.”
It really does look like a typewriter, doesn’t it. But it is, in fact, not one at all. Reddit user An-Old-Fart said, “It looks like a keyboard panel from a tabletop jukebox selector.” Come to think of it, that actually makes a lot of sense.
“What is this tub-like cage mounted on a stick found at an ancient Arabian bath?”
A few Reddit users were on the right track when they suggested it might be some kind of lamp holder, but it was taskergeng who had the right answer: “This is called a cresset. You would burn wood in it to provide light.” Wood, huh. Who would’ve thought?
“PVC pipe with drilled out holes in the woods. There were many of them, 10-30 feet apart, seemingly randomly.”
According to Redditor PoweRaider, these things in the woods are “methane vents. These woods are set atop a remediated landfill.”
I mean, I guess it’s better than having to look at all the junk that’s probably buried underground.
“Holes on exterior brick wall, no corresponding hole on the inside on a building in Sibiu – Romania.”
Reddit user ponytail1961 figured this one out quickly. At one point, there were power lines attached to the top of this house (and probably all the other ones in the area) via those bits there. I guess they moved the lines underground or something.
“70 profiled steel blades found in an old tool chest, 2-4” long, 5/16” thick.”
A couple of Reddit users could tell just by looking at these things that they’re lathe tools. From the looks of them, though, they’re pretty rusty and dull – no surprise, since they were found in an old tool chest.
“This tool was in a pallet of miscellaneous stuff. There are no markings or numbers on it. It is made of plastic and metal. The metal part screws into the handle. I have no idea what it could be.”
Somehow, Reddit user jackrats knew right away that this thing is a “watch band pin remover.” How they could tell so quickly is beyond me, but that’s what it is!
“Small hard triangular objects found in gravel road.”
Apparently, the internet has seen these kinds of bits a few times in the past, because there were plenty of answers stating that they’re ceramic tumbling media, which are used to polish jewelry. Another mystery solved thanks to the internet!
“This thing is made of Terracotta and has sunflowers on each end.”
I was today-years-old when I learned what a taco holder is. And apparently, it’s this thing. The Reddit commenters on the original post were very sure about this being true, and who am I to say they’re all wrong?
“Metal circular object attached to the bathroom ceiling above a bath.”
A bunch of commenters were sure that this was the base for a light fixture, but Reddit user old-uiuc-pictures suggested it could be the base for a hanging planter instead. It looks like the planter idea is the right one.
“These patches on a U.S. Army Jacket worn around the 1960’s?”
According to many Reddit users with military knowledge (including some actual veterans, even!), the patches represent the 4th Infantry Division. That… makes sense.
That’s actually so cool! It’s like looking at a piece of history.
“These 6 metal bars in a carrying case.”
Reddit user mekaneck84 came up with the right answer in lightning speed. Apparently, all of these pieces make up a carjack handle. I’ve definitely never seen one in pieces like that before!
“This shower knob marked with an H is behind the bathroom door. We just bought this house and have no idea what it is for. Water rushes through pipes when we turn it on but have no idea where the water is going.”
OP left the tap on for a bit and responded with an update:
“The weirdos that built this house for some reason put the water connection to the swamp cooler in the bathroom? …The house has had AC since like 2014 but they left the swamp cooler up there.” So, uh, that’s one mystery solved, but it looks like a whole new problem started.
“5 inch tall plastic object found in a back office. The ‘pump’ can be depressed onto a thin metal rod connected at the base. Solved!”
Reddit user Netopalas said, “I think that is a ‘safety’ version of a memo/receipt spike. You put the ticket or receipt on the rod and push the top down punching the paper onto the rod.” I guess it’s a pretty old office tool, then.
“Two construction-type objects, the size of a child’s rocking horse. Appears to have ability to be stationary or on wheels. Maybe GPR?”
Reddit user TopYeti had all the info on these things:
“Those are automated gates for when they close a two-way street and make it only one lane, additional parts you don’t see here are a stoplight and a gate type arm that comes down like at a railroad crossing.” Seems like they would really come in handy on the job.
“What is this eight stringed instrument that I’ve had for a couple years?”
Well, whatever it is, it’s really cool!
Reddit user HitomeboreInaho idenitfied it as a “gusli (гусли), a traditional Russian instrument. The writing on it says St Petersburg… and the picture on it looks like Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral.” Wow, neat!
