There’s a lot of weirdness in the world. Some of that weirdness doesn’t really need an explanation . At the same time, though, there are some weird things that we’re just dying to learn more about.
Like these weird things, that people decided to put on the internet in order to find answers . And it was a smart move, too, because that’s exactly what they got — because they asked Reddit’s r/whatisthisthing community, who have a crazy track record for identify the weirdest, most random and obscure things out there.
“Emergency light on the wall of the Baltimore Aquarium labeled Venom Alarm.”
The comment section got to the bottom of this one, figuring out that it was for venomous animals, and the events in which they might be dangerous to the zoo employees/patrons. Creepy, but also probably necessary.
“Pointy metal object less than a cm long found in lawn after landscapers left. Part of a tool? Necklace or chain?”
Reddit user Kanadark said, “Looks like a sew on cone spike to me. Could be used on clothing, could be used on accessories like bracelets/ necklaces/ hats whatever. They come in 2 and 4 hole variations.” And that was right!
“What is this thing? Metal “scissors” with a fork like grip.”
Many people had different guesses on this thing, but it ended up being a meat mincer. And here I was thinking it was some kind of special pair of wire strippers…
“Purchased at Goodwill. Glass earthenware box with holes on the sides. No holes in the lid. No markings to indicate manufacturer.”
The Reddit comment section seemed pretty convinced that this thing is just a random box some kid made in a pottery class. No mystery to be found.
“What are these ~4 inch wooden sticks, some with sharp metal tips? I got them from an elementary school teacher (now deceased) in Montana.”
The Reddit comment section figured it had to be for art of some kind, either for sculpting, paper craft, or something else entirely.
“Found these brown lumps in the frame of a sliding door.”
Reddit user sc0tty0 said, “Spray foam…aged to perfection! If your jamb is wonky/bulges that’s why.”
Actually, that makes a lot of sense. Spray foam probably changes color after a while.
“My parents sell antiques. They had this really cool old board in their barn. Not sure what it was used for.”
There was a bit of a debate over what this thing is, but it looks like it was used for stretching/tanning hide at one point.
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“Possible kitchen gadget with spring-loaded metal triangular disks, mounted on a handle. From decades ago.”
Doesn’t look like this thing is a gadget. The comment section was pretty convinced that it was a removable pot lid handle (so you could put the pot in the oven). Without its matching pot, it’s probably useless.
“What is this wheel that’s been mounted on the wall at my school for a while. it’s metal, not sure if it spins.”
Once again, the Reddit comment section saved the day. This thing is some kind of old scientific calculation tool. Neat!
“Long wooden implement with two tines, not sharp at all (probably not a pot fork) – fork is for scale.”
If you’ve ever done fondue, this might look familiar to you. Because it’s a fondue fork. Very classy.
“Electrical insulators connected in a triangle, on a truck in Nebraska. What is it for?”
According to Reddit user noob_picker, “It is a high voltage switch (three way switch here). Designed to be mounted on a single pole.”
Like those metal things you might see sticking out of the top of an electrical pole. Cool!
“Strap with plastic pieces sewn on.”
Reddit user HoagieSub was able to identify this thing pretty quickly: “Looks like a Perfect Curve door mounted hat organizer. I had one growing up.”
Very specific, but also the right answer, so…
“Curved wood block with stick and ceramic tile -This was found this while going through an estate, the stick can be placed in either hole but the tile is fixed in place.”
According to Redditor SucculentVariations, it’s a hot glue gun holder. Who would’ve thunk it?
“The cloth belt would be wetted as it cycled through the reservoir. As it’s cranked, a stack of something would be pushed under the belt to be pressed. Then repeat.”
Reddit user Riccma02 called it an Elliott addressing machine, and said it was probably used to seal envelopes. I’ll… consider that solved.
“3.5 inch metal object with a 1/4 inch round shaft and a circular flare at one end, found in a used trumpet case (though it may have nothing to do with a musical instrument).”
According to the Reddit comments, this thing is a valve for an engine. What the heck was it doing with a trumpet!?
“Very heavy, the angle of the metal plate sits can be adjusted. No markings anywhere. Found it in the basement along with a lot of bike tools so maybe related?”
The Reddit comments had this one down, too. It’s a vise for wood carving. Makes sense.
“Decorative looking small pendants of some kind?”
Spoiler alert: these little things aren’t pendants. In fact, the Reddit comment section deduced that they’re actually fossils, and are probably hundreds of millions of years old! Now that’s pretty impressive.
“Found this behind a commercial freezer while doing renovations. Plastic casing, plastic looking balls, metal shroud, about 1.5 inches in length.”
The Reddit commenters identified this thing as some sort of component for moth traps. I guess that makes sense.
“Large chunk of (metal?) Weighs quite a bit in your hand and hasn’t changed in color in decades.”
Reddit user Croquant23 showed up to save the day here!
“The circled m logo is the logo of the réunion des musées nationaux, the French public museums… Probably a copy of a cuneiform tablet available as a souvenir at the Louvre, among other museums.”
“Antique looking foot operated spikey thing?”
It seemed like everyone agreed with Reddit user nnfhjs in that this thing is an eyelet press. For leather? Possibly. But the important thing is that we got a right answer!
