Have you ever stumbled upon a mysterious object and had no idea what it was used for? Whether cleaning out your attic, moving into a new home, or even taking a stroll outside, sometimes you find things that seem completely unfamiliar. Fortunately, the internet is full of curious minds ready to help solve these mysteries. Across various online communities, people share their strange finds, and often, their discoveries lead to some truly fascinating answers.
In this article, we’re diving into 17 peculiar objects found by internet users whose purpose was revealed only after turning to the online sleuthing community. Let’s explore these strange objects and their surprising uses!
1. “What are these little sticks for?”
Answer: These tiny sticks are polishing tools used for working with leather. People often mistake them for something more obscure, but they’re used in leather crafting to smooth out edges.
2. “I found this while selling a property. The mechanism has numbers from 1 to 31 written on it.”
Answer: This is a tachometer, a device used to measure the rotational speed of machinery like motors. It helps monitor efficiency and operation speed.
3. “I saw this in an old telephone booth and thought it was a heater.”
Answer: Actually, this is the base of an old fan, specifically designed for telephone booths to keep them ventilated in the days before air conditioning.
4. “Found this in a dollar store. Pull the lever, and something moves inside.”
Answer: This is a vintage camera timer. Before smartphones had built-in timers, these gadgets helped people take pictures without needing someone to press the button for them.
5. “What is this thing hanging on the wall of an old house?”
Answer: You’re looking at an old-fashioned ice crusher, once used to prepare ice for drinks before the days of electric ice machines.
6. “This instrument belonged to my grandfather, but I have no clue what it is.”
Answer: It’s a manual lathe, typically used by jewelers or watchmakers to make small, precise repairs.
7. “I found this strange pair of scissors with an adjustable ring and a bottle opener on it.”
Answer: This unusual tool is designed for cutting herbs and vegetables, combining both scissors and a utility opener into one handy device.
8. “This leather item was found in a basement and seems pretty tough.”
Answer: It’s a thimble-like tool used to push a needle through thick fabrics. It protects your hand while sewing through tough materials like leather or denim.
9. “A tiny container with a miniature spoon found at my grandmother’s house—what is it?”
Answer: This is a miniature salt cellar. The small spoon is used to sprinkle salt onto food, a common practice in days gone by when larger salt shakers weren’t as common.
10. “I moved into a house with a bar, and these two things are hanging near the bottle openers.”
Answer: These are towel holders commonly used in bars. To hold the towel, you squeeze the bars together and slide the towel in place.
11. “Found a small copper box. No idea what it’s for.”
Answer: It’s a portable ashtray, popular in past decades when smoking was more common. It features a holder for cigarettes inside the lid, making it easy to dispose of ashes without littering.
12. “This item is incredibly light—what could it be?”
Answer: This is a güira, a musical instrument from the Dominican Republic. The musician scrapes a special stick across the textured surface, creating a unique sound.
13. “What could this odd tool found in my grandmother’s attic be?”
Answer: It’s a specialized pair of scissors used for cutting candle wicks. Before electric lights, keeping candle wicks trimmed was crucial for maintaining proper lighting.
14. “Found a strange-looking metal device with spikes—what is it?”
Answer: This is a rare anti-theft device from the 19th century designed to protect pocket watches. When someone tries to steal the watch, the spikes pop out, preventing the thief from getting away with it.
15. “What’s this tiny cup with strange designs on it?”
Answer: It’s a fruit juicer! The fruit is pressed against the rounded end, and the juice runs down through the grooves into a glass below.
16. “Found these perfect circles on the beach—what are they?”
Answer: These circles are the remains of scientific equipment used to measure the amount of shellfish on the beach. Researchers use this device to calculate the density of shellfish in a given area.
17. “I pulled this ring, and four spikes shot out—what’s the deal?”
Answer: This is another version of a 19th-century anti-theft device used for pocket watches. Pull the ring, and the spikes extend, ensuring no one walks away with your valuables.
Conclusion: Everyday Objects, Extraordinary Stories
Sometimes, the objects we come across in daily life seem like relics from another world. From old tools to forgotten gadgets, it’s fascinating to learn how these items once served practical purposes. Whether it’s a vintage timer or an antique ashtray, each object has a story that connects us to history.
Have you ever come across something you couldn’t identify? The internet’s collective wisdom is always here to help. But next time, don’t just toss that strange object aside—you might be holding a piece of history in your hands!
