18 Mysterious Objects Finally Identified Thanks to Reddit
Human genius has no boundaries. No need to mention space technologies or the achievements of exact sciences: we have plenty of unknown yet quite useful things that may help us in our everyday lives.
5-Minute Crafts has compiled 18 photos of things from our past and present that may seem strange, until you discover their real purpose.
1. “Metal curved ornamental rod. No other markings on the box.”
Answer: “Bookmarks”
These bookmarks are made of metal and are used both to mark pages and to decorate books.
2. “Second time I have found this small crumbly disk in my garden. Potentially thrown over from the neighbors?”
1. I would say go straight to the police right now... If something happens in the future, the police will already have a history of this happening.
Throwing poison in a neighbor’s garden is pretty serious. © tehlegend1937 / Reddit
2. It’s a nitrogen pellet for fertilization. It’s more likely the neighbor is gardening or planting something. © Unknown user / Reddit
3. “What kind of pan is this and what is it used for?”
Answer: “Allows you to pour off liquids without the stuff you’re cooking.” © VivaNOLA / Reddit
This fat-draining frying pan has a pouring lip on the side that helps you to get rid of unwanted fat.
4. “Ok, I know it’s a chair, but what’s with the extended arms?”
Answer: “a plantation/planters chair”
This piece of furniture is called a planter’s chair. It was designed for planters during the existence of the colonial plantation system. The unusually long arms of the chair provide support for arms and feet at the same time. It was also used for when a servant needed to remove the planter’s boots.
5. “What are these metal things on the corner of these stairs and what is their purpose?”
6. “Item of cutlery made by Tudor Plate. Made of silver. 9 cm long and 4 cm at the widest point.”
Answer: “It’s a food pusher!” © MaryN6FBB110117 / Reddit
This kitchen appliance is used to push food onto a fork or spoon. Sometimes it is used to take food from serving to individual plates.
7. “This hotel has a tub. When the button is pressed, one side is filled with hot water for about 30 seconds. Then the other side is filled with cold water.”
Answer: Tub for contrast bath therapy.
This reservoir is divided into 2 parts for contrast bath therapy. The idea is to alternate hot and cold baths. This kind of therapy may help to improve blood circulation.
8. “Staying at an Airbnb and we have this little metal tray embedded in the countertop.”
Answer: “It’s where a scale used to be. We have the same in our kitchen.” © swiss_aspie / Reddit
This metal plate is designed as a spot for a removable kitchen scale.
9. “Cylindrical silver basket weave locket charm with 2 hinged lids. One deep compartment and one very shallow.”
10. “Plastic and hollow, size of a big SUV, attached to the ground.”
Answer: “Large ship bumper/fender” © stilloldbull2 / Reddit
This huge pneumatic rubber fender is used to protect ships from bumping into a pier.
11. “Found at a farmhouse, the arm swivels, and the drum spins.”
Answer: It is for making butter.
This impressive kitchen tool is a butter worker with a fluted roller. It was used to remove the buttermilk from the butter. The butter lasted longer after this kind of treatment.
12. “Thumb protector possibly, but for what? Found at a yard sale.”
Answer: “it’s an antique butcher thumb guard” © deceptiveshadow / Reddit
This chainmail device was used to protect thumbs during meat and fish chopping.
13. “Small red flippable plates outside windows.”
Answer: “Pretty sure that’s a survey prism.” © dancing_omnivore / Reddit
A survey prism is a tool used by engineers and surveyors to measure the change in position. For example, they can be used to measure the settling of the buildings over time. It helps to control the condition of old buildings and to make sure the walls are not falling.
14. “Weird glass ball, suspended by screws, in a metal frame, bronze or gold color in appearance.”
Answer: “It is a Campbell-Stokes sunshine recorder.” © tharookery / Reddit
This impressive antique thing is called Campbell—Stokes sunshine recorder. The glass sphere focuses the sunlight, and the rays burn holes in a piece of photosensitive paper. As the sun moves across the sky, it leaves burn marks on the paper card. The time and strength of the sunshine are detected by the position and intensity of the marks.
15. “Found this in my grandparents’ kitchen. What is this?”
Answer: “Egg shell cutter.” © Thud2 / Reddit
This tool is used to cut the shell and to take the top off the soft-boiled egg.
16. “Cleaning out my grandma’s house to sell and found this. What is it?”
Answer: “It’s a flour duster.” © janefromvegas / Reddit
This manual kitchen tool is a flour duster. It is used to dust flour on pans, rolling surfaces, bread, etc.
17. “My girlfriend got a used car and we found this under the seat. Can anyone tell me what it is?”
Answer: “A backpacking camp stove”
This device is used for outdoor cooking. It is attached to the top of the fuel canister and fits different types of small pots and pans.
18. “Can someone help me identify this object?”
Answer: “Pretty sure it’s a mate straw/bombilla.” © kaeorin / Reddit
This hollow metal object with a filter on its bottom is a bombilla used for matte tea drinking. It is also good for filtering different types of tea, coffee, and other drinks.
Do you have any odd but handy tools at home? Share your photos with us in the comments!