In today’s world, it seems like almost everything has already been invented. From strange gadgets to peculiar tools, you’d be hard-pressed to come across something truly unique. However, that doesn’t stop people from stumbling upon mysterious objects and wondering, “What on earth is this for?”
Thanks to the internet, particularly the community-driven platform Reddit, people have found an outlet to post pictures of the most puzzling discoveries and have fellow netizens explain what they are. Below, we dive into 30 of the strangest finds, and the insightful, sometimes surprising, explanations behind them.
1. T-Shirts Over Wing Mirrors on Cars
Answer: These are placed to keep birds from attacking the mirrors, which can happen when birds see their reflection and mistake it for another bird.
2. Strangely Textured Object Called “Dangerous to Health”
Answer: These are butterfly mines, which are small explosive devices designed to detonate when disturbed.
3. A Strange Bench With Tubing Near a School Parking Lot
Answer: This is old playground equipment from the 70s-80s. Children would lay on their back and pull themselves through by grabbing the bars.
4. Rusty Metal Plate with ‘Stop’ Cutout Lettering
Answer: This is a rear light stop face plate from a vintage Ford car, specifically part A-13442-AR.
5. A Panel That Lights Up When the Basement Light Is On
Image source: pippiethehippie
Answer: It’s a simple alert system to let you know when the basement light is still on, often used to prevent leaving lights on by accident.
6. Candy-Making Tool with Embedded Twisty Screws
Image source: maybetwobabka
Answer: This is a tool for making spun sugar, a decorative element often used in confectionery.
7. Tiny Brown and Tan Beads Found in the Carpet
Image source: SomeGuySurviving
Answer: These are termite frass, which is essentially termite droppings.
8. Strange Lights Behind a Mirror in a Hotel
Image source: rizcriz
Answer: It’s likely an “infinity mirror,” created by layering a one-way mirror over a standard mirror with LEDs in between, producing a tunnel-like effect.
9. Clamp That Only Says “China”
Image source: 11varine
Answer: This is a gang lock for lockout/tagout safety protocols, used to prevent equipment from being activated during maintenance by multiple workers.
10. Glass-Covered Drawer in a Bedroom
Image source: Smokinsumsweet
Answer: It’s a bedside cabinet with a protective glass top to place hot cups or dishes without damaging the wood.
11. Hamburger Press Found in a Commercial Kitchen
Image source: Normal_Skill3212
Answer: This is a hamburger press used to shape ground meat into uniform patties.
12. Wooden Box with a Dial Found in a Pew
Image source: loverofmosthings
Answer: The dial is a potentiometer, likely indicating it’s for a headphone socket with a volume control, possibly used in old church sound systems.
13. Window Grills with a Bulge in Spain
Image source: lw1999
Answer: These are called “belly bars” and serve two purposes: security and a space for flower boxes.
14. Mask Held Against Someone’s Mouth
Image source: aintnufincleverhere
Answer: This is a stenographer’s mask, used by court reporters to quietly dictate what’s being said without disturbing the court.
15. Underground Wall Found While Digging a Dog’s Grave
Image source: Key_Guidance9806
Answer: This is a dry well, designed to collect and redirect excess rainwater to prevent yard flooding.
16. Light Fixture at a Restaurant
Image source: NerdMachine
Answer: It’s the lift mechanism from a dumbwaiter, a small freight elevator typically found in older buildings.
17. Unusual Graves in a Village Graveyard in Iran
Image source: ap2094
Answer: These graves feature figural carvings that indicate the occupation or status of the buried individual, a practice seen in some parts of northwest Iran.
18. Grid of 100 Squares with Different Patterns in a Math Teacher’s Room
Image source: MacerSpaceflight
Answer: The squares represent numbers and times tables, with colors and patterns illustrating multiplication sequences.
19. Small Gold Pig Container with a Spoon Tail
Image source: merlee13
Answer: This is a salt cellar, sometimes called a salt pig, used to store and serve salt.
20. Firm Object Found on a Beach After a Storm
Image source: freeeicecream
Answer: It’s likely a lump of industrial wax or fats washed ashore, a common occurrence near sewage outfalls or ship routes.
21. Metal Ring in Every Toilet at a Hospital
Image source: sassyclassychassy
Answer: This is part of the Traptex Plumbing Protection System, designed to prevent people from flushing inappropriate items like wipes.
22. Heavy Small Object Found in Southern Germany
Image source: VivaZane
Answer: This is a medieval pilgrim’s badge, a token worn by religious pilgrims to show their faith or travels.
23. Park Bench with Cutouts in a Strange Shape
Image source: ouqw3
Answer: The cutouts are designed for bicycles. Riders can sit on the bench while keeping their bikes parked directly behind them.
24. Burned Log Found at a Campsite
Image source: LavastormSW
Answer: This is a Swedish log burning technique, where a log is split in sections to create a controlled and long-lasting fire.
25. Circular Object on a Post in an Antique Shop
Image source: LPineapplePizzaLover
Answer: This is an Engine Order Telegraph, used on older marine vessels to communicate between the bridge and the engine room.
26. Tool Being Displayed by a Woman
Image source: professor_doom
Answer: This is a bed warmer, which was used to heat beds before modern heating systems existed.
27. Metal Tray Embedded in the Countertop of an Airbn
Image source: GBinAZ
Answer: It’s the remnants of an old scale, where the tray would hold items to be weighed.
28. Ice Formation Found on the Forest Floor
Image source: ConclusionWorking
Answer: This is known as a “frost flower,” caused when moisture freezes as it escapes from plant tissues.
29. Loops on the Sleeves of a Jacket
Image source: XEcksDeeD
Answer: These loops are designed to attach the fleece liner inside a shell jacket to keep the sleeves from sliding out when you take the jacket off.
30. Bronze and Lead Object Found While Digging
Image source: Administrative_Film3
Answer: This appears to be a German artillery fuse, used in older artillery shells.
Conclusion: The Internet’s Power of Collective Knowledge
From ancient tools to obscure modern devices, it’s clear that sometimes it takes a community of curious and knowledgeable people to solve the mystery of strange objects. These 30 examples are just a small sample of the thousands of times everyday people have turned to the internet to identify baffling items. Thanks to online communities like Reddit, the internet has become a virtual treasure trove for unraveling these mysteries. So, the next time you find something curious, you know exactly where to go for answers!
