In a world that feels increasingly familiar and explored, stumbling upon an object you can’t identify can feel like discovering a hidden treasure. The internet has become a haven for solving these mysteries, especially on platforms like Reddit where curious minds converge. Let’s dive into 30 intriguing finds that baffled observers and how the online community helped decipher their purposes.
1. T-Shirts on Car Mirrors
Curiously, people still frequently encounter bizarre and unfamiliar objects in their everyday environments. Often these are relics that modern generations have long ceased to use, or they serve purposes that are now obsolete but were once significant.
These items may not be integral to our daily lives anymore, but their mystery only adds to their allure. There’s even a dedicated subreddit for these enigmatic finds, aptly named “What Is This Thing?”, where users share their unusual discoveries and speculate on their uses.
Mystery: Two cars parked on a street both had t-shirts over their wing mirrors on the side facing the road. Solution: This is a clever trick to prevent birds from attacking their reflections in the mirrors.
2. Mysterious Hazard in Ukraine
Mystery: The Ukraine National Police shared an image of a strangely textured object, labeled as dangerous.
Solution: It was identified as butterfly mines, a hazardous and unwelcome find.
3. An Unusual Schoolyard Find
Mystery: A strange “bench” with tubing near a parking lot of an old elementary school.
Solution: Redditors reminisced that this was playground equipment from the 70s-80s, designed for children to lay on their backs and slide through by pulling on the bars.
4. Rusty Metal Mystery
Mystery: A slightly rusty metal plate with “STOP” cutout lettering.
Solution: It’s a rear light stop face plate from a vintage Ford—a delightful piece of automobilia.
5. Basement Light Indicator
Mystery: A panel next to the basement door that lights up whenever the basement light is on.
Solution: It simply indicates that the basement light is on, a useful reminder to save electricity.
6. Candy Making Conundrum
Mystery: An odd tool found in a box of candy-making supplies, featuring many twisty screws.
Solution: This tool is used for making spun sugar, an essential for professional candy makers.
7. Tiny Mysterious Beads
Mystery: Tiny brown and tan beads found in a carpet and on a windowsill.
Solution: The consensus pointed to termite frass, commonly known as termite droppings.
8. Hotel Mirror Lights
Mystery: Lights that appear to be behind a mirror in a hotel.
Solution: Likely part of an infinity mirror setup, designed to create a visual effect of depth.
9. Industrial Clamp
Mystery: A clamp found with no clear markings besides “China.”
Solution: Identified as a gang lock for lockout/tagout procedures to ensure safety in industrial settings.
10. Thin Glass Drawer’s Purpose
Mystery: A very thin, glass-covered drawer in a bedside cabinet.
Solution: Designed to hold hot beverages like coffee or tea without leaving rings on the furniture.
11. Hamburger Press Discovery
Mystery: A large metallic device found buried in the closet of a commercial kitchen.
Solution: It’s a hamburger press, likely used in the restaurant previously housed there.
12. Church Pew Mystery
Mystery: A small wooden box with a dial found in a church pew.
Solution: The dial is a potentiometer, likely part of a system for headphone sockets with volume control for hearing sermons clearly.
13. Spanish Window Grills
Mystery: Window grills in Spain with a noticeable bulge.
Solution: These are “belly bars,” typically used for holding flower boxes while also providing security.
14. Stenographer’s Mask
Mystery: An object held against someone’s mouth in a courtroom.
Solution: A stenographer’s mask, used to dictate quietly without disturbing proceedings.
15. Backyard Archaeology
Mystery: A wall found while burying a pet in the backyard.
Solution: Identified as a dry well, used to prevent yard flooding by collecting excess rainwater.
16. Nostalgic Light Fixture
Mystery: An old-looking “light fixture” observed in a restaurant in Newfoundland, Canada.
Solution: Actually a lift mechanism from an old dumbwaiter, repurposed for aesthetic appeal.
17. Mysterious Iranian Graves
Mystery: Unique graves in a village graveyard in Northwest Iran, with unknown markings.
Solution: The gravestones might feature figural carvings that depict the occupation of the deceased, a traditional practice in some regions of Iran.
18. Educational Tool in Math Classroom
Mystery: A board with 100 squares, each different in patterns and colors.
Solution: It’s a teaching aid for multiplication, with colors and arrangements representing different numbers.
19. Tiny Gold Pig Container
Mystery: A small gold container shaped like a pig, with a tiny spoon for a tail.
Solution: It’s a salt cellar, charmingly referred to as a salt pig, used in gourmet kitchens.
20. Beach Find Post-Storm
Mystery: A firm, smooth object found on the beach after a storm.
Solution: Likely a clump of fats from treated wastewater or synthetic waxes from industrial discharges, commonly found after being washed ashore.
21. Hospital Bathroom Mystery
Mystery: A metal “ring” in every hospital toilet, seemingly without function.
Solution: Part of the Traptex Plumbing Protection System, designed to prevent flushable wipes from clogging the plumbing.
22. Relic in Southern Germany
Mystery: A heavy, small object discovered in Southern Germany.
Solution: A medieval pilgrim’s badge, possibly carried as a token of faith and protection.
23. Park Bench Design
Mystery: A park bench with odd cutouts, seemingly impractical for securing bikes.
Solution: Actually designed for bikers to park and sit with their bikes positioned behind them, despite appearing unconventional.
24. Campfire Log
Mystery: An oddly burned log found at a campsite.
Solution: Recognized as part of a Swedish log stove technique, where a single log is burned from the inside out to create a longer-lasting campfire.
25. Maritime Communication Device
Mystery: A circular object on a post in an antique shop.
Solution: An Engine Order Telegraph from an old ship, used for captain-engine room communications.
26. Cozy Historical Artifact
Image source: professor_doom
Mystery: An obscure tool displayed by a woman, resembling historical domestic equipment.
Solution: It’s a traditional bed warmer, once used to warm beds before the advent of modern heating.
27. Integrated Kitchen Feature
Mystery: A small metal tray embedded in a kitchen countertop at an Airbnb.
Solution: The remnants of where a kitchen scale once was, now a curious artifact of past conveniences.
28. Winter Forest Phenomenon
Mystery: An ice formation discovered on the forest floor.
Solution: Known as a frost flower, it forms from moisture freezing as it escapes from plant tissue in cold conditions.
29. Clothing Design Quirk
Mystery: A loop towards the end of the sleeves on a jacket, puzzling in its purpose. Solution: Designed for integration with an outer shell jacket, the loops prevent the inner fleece sleeves from slipping when removing the jacket.
30. Mysterious Metallic Object
Mystery: A bronze and lead object with a scale, found while digging. Solution: It appears to be a German artillery fuse, a relic from a past conflict.
These 30 instances highlight how every day can turn into an adventure when you stumble upon something unfamiliar. The collective wisdom of the internet not only provides answers but often unveils stories and histories connected to these mysterious objects. Whether it’s a tool from yesteryear or a piece of forgotten technology, each discovery offers a glimpse into the ingenuity and resourcefulness of prior generations. Remember, the next time you find something peculiar, there’s likely an exciting explanation waiting to be uncovered.
