Join the Fun!

Bored Panda reached out to Matt Johnson, Ph.D., a professor of consumer psychology at Hult International Business School and Harvard University, and he told us about the apparent functionality of products, as well as the law of the market. Moreover, he explained the difference between market-driven and market-driving products. Johnson is the host of the Neuroscience of Branding blog and is the author of 'Branding that Means Business: How to Build Enduring Bonds between Brands, Consumers and Markets.'

According to consumer psychology expert, whether it's vital for an object to have its function apparent from the moment someone sees it depends on the product itself, the industry, and how it's sold. "While consumers will always use a product in the greater context, they don’t always encounter them in this way, especially if its a product they’re unfamiliar with," he said.

"If, for example, the product is being sold via online marketplaces, the 'apparent functionality' can be an important factor in consumer decision-making. Consumers want to understand, intuitively, how to work the product. If they can simulate this in their heads, they can imagine using it, and if they can imagine using it, they can imagine owning it."

#2

What Are These Medal Things On The Corner Of These Stairs And What Is Their Purpose?

Answer: Corner dust guards. They make it easier to sweep dust out of the corners.

LocalSalesRep Report

Final score:

348points

POST

Rumina Io 1 year ago

I love the design. They look like little magical protection amulets.

18points

#3

Small Elephant Filled With Water Left At Flat After Party. Debating With Flatmates Over What It’s Purpose Could Be

Answer: It's a melted reusable ice cube

A1DANN Report

Final score:

341points

POST

MarchingBanda786 1 year ago

Awww I want one

75points

However, when it comes to digital products like "mobile apps and digital interfaces with high substitutability," immediate functionality becomes especially important.

"User experience is, of course, very important for digital products and experiences. Being able to 'see' this in the product is typically a reflection of its general intuitiveness," the creator of the Neuroscience of Branding blog told us.

Bored Panda asked Professor Johnson about the extent to which the products that we use are a reflection of our needs as a society, and how much brands themselves influence these needs.

"To a large extent, the products we use follow the 'law of the market': they reflect consumer demand and companies’ ability to capitalize on it. Ultimately, many of the products that have gone out of use have become obsolete, given other technological advancements. We don’t need stationary phones in houses anymore since nearly everyone has mobile devices, etc.," he gave an example.

#4

What Are These Blue Reflecting Markers For? Mounted On A Pole, Facing The Field

Answer: They are reflecting the headlights of cars to the fields, so that deer avoids crossing the road. So it's for safety of cars and animals.

Z1337M Report

Final score:

339points

POST

CAT /ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ QUEEN 1 year ago

thats smart! i wish we had these in arkansas!

82points

#5

Object Found While Hiking Off-Road In Bosnia. Notice The Spikes Near The End! Wondering What It Is

Answer: DON'T GO HIKING IN BOSNIA IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE ARE YOU GOING. it is full of unmarked mine fields.

FreezeHuddle Report

Final score:

337points

POST

Couldnt_find_a_decent_name 1 year ago

Oh how lovely, never going near here. Ever

113points

#6

Old Ruler. I Don’t Know How It Is Used Or What Does It Measure

Answer: Slide rule, logarithmic calculating device. These put humans on the moon.

anewerab Report

Final score:

330points

POST

Kate Haslam 1 year ago

Asked my parents (71 & 69), who were both math teachers, how to use a slide rule. They don't remember. XD

114points

"These are called market-driven products: they reflect the ability of companies to serve existing needs and capitalize on existing consumer demand."

However, there's also another influence—market-driving products. "Brands also have the ability to create needs that didn’t already exist, and then create and market products that serve these needs," the author of 'Branding that Means Business' said.

"The classic examples are luxury brands, which have an outsized influence on what society deems cool, attractive, and aspirational. However, other popular brands have the power to 'create' needs as well; Nike, Apple, and even Starbucks are great examples of brands that do this at relatively more accessible prices. There’s no deep-seated human need for a pumpkin spice latte. And yet, every Fall, there’s a massive market for PSLs, of which Starbucks created and continuously dominates," Johnson explained.

"All in all, the products on the market reflect commercial technologies best abilities to serve existing human needs. At the same time, the consumer world shapes these needs, and delivers products that purportedly assuage them. It’s a complex interplay between brands, consumers, culture, and market forces."

#7

Found On The Dashboard Of An Old Gmc. A Lucite Like Material, With Ridges

Answer: It's a traffic light viewer. Traffic lights back in the day were mounted on the same side you stopped on which sometimes made it difficult to see the light if you were first in line, this helped reflect the light from above so you could tell when the light changed.

harrekrsna Report

Final score:

324points

POST

Will Cable 1 year ago

On a side note to this, one things really making my p**s boil is in the UK how councils are only putting street name signs on one side as you drive down the road, so you haven't a clue what the street name is until you've passed it if you are driving in the wrong direction to see it

12points

#8

Sunset Pic I Took From Jfk Airport. Could These Shadows Be The Manhattan Skyline?

Answer: I live near Mt. Rainier and this happens too, only at dawn. The mountain casts its shadow on the underside of the clouds. This is just as impressive as that.

Jazzyfart Report

Final score:

321points

POST

MarchingBanda786 1 year ago

This happens in Arizona every evening, it’s really pretty

54points

#9

Came Across This While Hiking Behind An Old Mine In Southwestern Pennsylvania. Several Miles Off Of The Old Access Road. Appears 40 Feet Long, Nothing Written On It, Appears Nothing Is Inside Of It. 25 Feet Or So Off Of The Ground. No Sign Of Life Around It For Miles

Came Across This While Hiking Behind An Old Mine In Southwestern Pennsylvania. Several Miles Off Of The Old Access Road. Appears 40 Feet Long, Nothing Written On It, Appears Nothing Is Inside Of It. 25 Feet Or So Off Of The Ground. No Sign Of Life Around It For Miles

Answer: That, my friend, is the daddy of all deer stands.

Ok_Olive_6733 Report

Final score:

308points

POST

CAT /ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ QUEEN 1 year ago

OMG MY UNCLE MADE SOMETHING LIKE THIS!

15points

Created all the way back in September 2010, the ‘What Is This Thing’ subreddit has a very orderly, neat, and systemic approach to solving mysteries. Members of the moderator team have created a series of pages detailing solutions to pretty much any question you might have about becoming a member of the community.

They have a fully functioning Wiki, a great FAQ, as well as a guide for new members. The FAQ, in particular, is fascinating: it’s a compilation of commonly perplexing objects. Check it out before posting anything and asking for help: someone else may have already answered your question years ago.

The subreddit has been so successful that some members of the community actually work with international law enforcement. They are, in a very literal way, making the world a better place using their amateur sleuth skills.

#10

Random-Ish Straight But Not Paralel Lines Next To My Office Building… What’s Happening Here?

Answer: You probably live in the UK, where planning authorities often require developers to do "evaluation trial trenching" to make sure there are no important archaeological artifacts that might be destroyed by excavation. If the trial trenches turn up anything interesting, a more serious archaeological dig may be required before building can begin.

putonurseatbeltz Report

Final score:

303points

POST

JB 1 year ago

Time Team!

115points

#11

4m High Funnel With 3 Outlets Near A Playground And A Beer Garden In Germany

Answer: It's a three-way basketball hoop (Balltrichter mit drei Ausgängen). You can score, but you don't know who gets the ball next. My kids school just got one. The kids love it.

PietOnTheRoad Report

Final score:

294points

POST

Dozingdahlias 1 year ago

It’s interesting that it’s on grass though, seems harder to dribble on. All the ones I’ve seen are on asphalt.

71points

#12

Brass Or Copper Like Thing In Bathroom Door Handle

Answer: Copper kills bacteria and germs.

nukkumattii Report

Final score:

272points

POST

Couldnt_find_a_decent_name 1 year ago

Ooh now I know what to get my germaphobe friend for Christmas!

72points

Everyone can take part in helping solve the mysteries. However, if you do that, it’s best to provide a source to back up your claims. That helps filter out facts from opinions. On the flip side, those searching for answers ought to do their best to provide as much info and context about the object as they can. “Help those trying to help you. This will help to eliminate vague posts,” the r/whatisthisthing moderator team notes.

Meanwhile, members who get the answers they were looking for are encouraged to reply, ‘Solved!’ in their threads. They’re also reminded not to delete their posts after this. The idea is to slowly create a massive internet archive of answers. Deleting your posts can lead to a (temporary) ban.

#13

What Is This Growth On My Mugs After I Microwave Them?

Answer: Ceramicist here. So clay bodies are porous, depending on the material. Porcelain is dense, and earthware and stoneware is less. Either way liquids can move through fired clay. Glaze that goes on the outside can look solid, but can have hundreds of tiny cracks and holes. When you microwave liquids or just let them sit in a ceramic vessel they can seep through and crystallize in the cracks and holes. This usually only happens with hand made or cheap ceramics.

munizfire Report

Final score:

261points

POST

Couldnt_find_a_decent_name 1 year ago

This may be the most interesting one to me

95points

#14

Found At A Used Book Store. All Parts Rotate And The Markings/Months Makes Me Think It Could Be For Mapping?

Answer: An astrolabe, the ancient times GPS. Used usually for navigation, also for time measure and other science uses. I got one similar as a keyring.

sterling97 Report

Final score:

261points

POST

🇳🇬 Asi Bassey 🇳🇬 1 year ago

I just feel like we should not forget how to use these older devices, slide rule especially.

12points

#15

What Is This Hatch I've Seen On The Outside Of Houses In The UK?

Answer: It's a boot scraper, for getting the mud off your shoes before going in. They are pretty common.

Kattfiskmoo Report

Final score:

260points

POST

Robert Trebor 1 year ago

Looks like a high security cat door.

261points

One of the moderators running the subreddit previously told Bored Panda that there are a wide range of reasons why someone would want to become an amateur detective on the internet. For some, it’s the “thrill of the chase,” as people want to show off their talents and skills. Others, however, are drawn in by their curiosity.

“Many [people] have unique and obscure knowledge and they like to use it. Get enough of them together and they cover most things,” the mod said that this is a very extensive group of knowledgeable individuals. Less than 1 in 10 cases go unsolved on the sub. Most people get an answer within 15 minutes. These redditors are incredibly good at what they do.

#16

A Scissors Like Device I Bought Years Ago On Flee Market

Answer: It’s a vintage umbilical clamp. That’s why it’s shaped like a stork! Eventually this style did evolve into several types of embroidery scissors that the midwives would use while awaiting labor.

OffpeakPL Report

Final score:

258points

POST

D. Pitbull 1 year ago

Oh. My. Gawd. THAT'S why all those embroidery/thread scissors are shaped like storks??? Dayam.

150points

#17

Blue Glass Thing Found At Goodwill. About 5 Inches High With A Hole In Top

Answer: That is a whale oil lamp. Hand blown glass. Very odd blue color. Not cheap !

Red-Bell-Pepper Report

Final score:

245points

POST

Tuna Beach 1 year ago

Cobalt glass.

82points

#18

Sliding Tray With Holes On Both Sides Of This Sofa

Answer: Tray table. It has another piece to it. It’s a tray with matching pegs. Tray goes on top and the pegs slide in. They fit together so the tray sits tightly. Then you take the tray back to the kitchen and put the sliding part back so it’s not in the way.

belokan Report

Final score:

244points

POST

Maggie 1 year ago

Very nifty, i wish the new furniture had those little quirky additions.

95points

#19

This Little Hole Appeared In My Parents' Bedroom

Answer: Was a kid. Shot my parent’s window with a bb gun once and got grounded for a month. Hole was exactly this.

kiwisupremo Report

Final score:

240points

POST

JB 1 year ago (edited)

Can confirm. Someone shot at my school once

67points

#20

This Is A Steel Wire Frame With Two Glass Marbles. It Was Found In An Old Garage Among Various Stuff. The Marbles Can Turn Inside The Frame

Answer: It's a razor blade sharpener.

samburket2 Report

Final score:

238points

POST

BravePanda 1 year ago

I had no idea! I found one in my attic when I was a teenager, and was sad for the earlier generations of kids for having such boring toys.

123points

#21

Thumb Protector Possibly, But For What? Found At A Yard Sale

Answer: Old timey fish monger/butcher thumb guard.

deceptiveshadow Report

Final score:

237points

POST

D. Pitbull 1 year ago

NOT the appendage I thought this went on. I... I need to go scrub my brain. I am so sorry.

47points

#22

These Little Specs On My Bed? Every Time I Dust Them Off, They Reappear Within 2 Hours And I Have No Idea How. They Just Kind Of… Spawn? It’s Really Grossing Me Out

Answer: The shape (slightly oblong) looks like termite frass (poop). It's likely they are eating the wood beams in your ceiling and have made a hole through the non-wood material of your ceiling to have a place to dump their poop. You should get the place inspected ASAP.

Prncssbbykitten Report

Final score:

231points

POST

JoJo Anisko 1 year ago

A house we rented had termites. I knew because I could hear them chewing in the ceiling, but no one believed me until the sawdust poop started showing up.

19points

#23

What Is This Thing Used For? A Book With Black Blank Pages Alternating With Thin Translucent Pages

Answer: Photo-Album. You stick paper photos on the black pages. The transparent pages are for protection.

gahyeonology Report

Final score:

224points

POST

RJ 1 year ago

OMG... I can't possible be THAT old.

401points

#24

What Is This Big Round Well-Type Thing In The Middle Of The Women’s Restroom? It’s In An Older Bathroom And It Doesn’t Seem To Have Any Water Running To Or From It… Just A Big Cylinder With A Drain In It

What Is This Big Round Well-Type Thing In The Middle Of The Women’s Restroom? It’s In An Older Bathroom And It Doesn’t Seem To Have Any Water Running To Or From It… Just A Big Cylinder With A Drain In It

Answer: It's a sink. For washing your hands. You step on the ring to start the water.

lilithrebbecca Report

Final score:

220points

POST

UselessKnowledgeFont 1 year ago

I love 5hose types of sinks in a busy restroom!

64points

#25

What Are These Sets Of Seven Dimples On Styrofoam?

Answer: While many plastic objects have little marks on them where the liquid plastic is injected into the mold, expanded polystyrene objects ("Styrofoam") aren't made this way. Instead, small granules of plastic are pre-treated with steam in a large hopper, which causes them to expand into little foam pellets. These foam pellets are poured into the mold, and then additional steam is injected in, causing the pellets to swell even more until they completely fill the mold. The little seven-dot marks are steam injection points.

spencerwnelson Report

Final score:

209points

POST

Dodo 1 year ago

I admit, I've wondered about this one before

48points

#26

Found A Large Metallic Cylinder On The Beach Of Husavik, Iceland. What Is This?

Answer: Solved! We asked around and it turns out that these are submarine detectors, nothing to worry about, no explosive inside!

TheRealWarrior0 Report

Final score:

208points

POST

JB 1 year ago

But did you have to reset the numbers every 24 hours or the smoke monster would eat you (or whatever, that show made less sense with every episode)

57points

#27

Small Plastic Pouch With Red Gel And A Metal Disc Inside

Answer: Hand warmer. You can "click" the metal piece and it will start a chemical reaction and heat the pad.

nullbuilt_ Report

Final score:

199points

POST

beautiful plumage 1 year ago

the great thing about this variety of hand warmer is that they're re-usable. most commonly available ones today are basically iron powder in a sealed filter-like bag. as the iron reacts with oxygen in the air, it rusts forming iron oxide. that process is exothermic--it gives off heat. to stop it if you want to use a pack later, seal it in a zip loc bag with as much air squeezed out as possible. but they're overall disposable and come wrapping in plastic packaging. the kind pictured here is a supersaturated solution of sodium acetate in a sturdy plastic bag. when you click the little metal disc it precipitates the formation of sodium acetate crystals to form throughout the solution. that process is exothermic. but unlike the iron powder kind, you can "reset" the reaction by just immersing the bag in a bowl or pot of really warm water. that will cause the crystals to go back to the liquid phase ready for another cold day of use.

168points

#28

What Is This Drain In Front Of The Door Of This House? Living In Snowborne Areas, I Never Saw A Drain Like That Anywhere. Anyone Know The Purpose?

Answer: To kick snow off your shoes.

bpwoods97 Report

Final score:

196points

POST

Robert Trebor 1 year ago

Why are you wasting time posting this when the cat is waiting ?

245points

Bright-Antelope4029 Report

#29

What Is This Thing? Several Surgical Instruments Were Found Nearby, But It Might Be Not Related To Them At All

Answer: It looks like it was a primitive tool used in the past to assist in birth. Yeouch. A bit of further googling tells me they were used to reduce the size of a babies head if it was too big to deliver, by drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid. Known as destructive delivery. Generally (I hope) for cases where the fetus is already non-living. Frightful.

Final score:

193points

POST

Rebelliousslug 1 year ago

That is the most horrifying explanation I’ve ever read in one of these articles

179points

#30

What Is This Silver Metal Thing With Narrow Bridge And Spoon Like End?

Answer: Ear cleaners, use them to scoop wax more common in eastern countries. Might be confused for a drug utensil by American police as they imagine people snorting the tiniest cocaine hit ever.

Mist4h20 Report

Final score:

192points

POST

BravePanda 1 year ago

This definition. LOL!

84points

#31

What Is Using This Little Wooden House In My Garden?

Answer: It's for any of the solitary bees, like mason bees.

bendog1616 Report

Final score:

185points

POST

Katie Lutesinger 1 year ago

I have a bee house a lot like that on my wall! Mostly it was settled in by wasps and spiders, but then this *is* Australia. Everything is spiders.

66points

#32

This Piece Of Brass And Possibly Lead Is Embedded In A Piece Of Planed Wood. It Has Been Sitting On A Shelf For Years And I Have No Idea What It May Have Been

Answer: That's a bullet. Someone shot it into a tree and cut it in half. The rough part of the wood is the bullet path.

junkcollector1979 Report

Final score:

181points

POST

Sargio 1 year ago

I see a doggo

199points

#33

What Is This Large Vessel I Found In The Basement Of An Old Psychiatric Hospital?

Answer: Looks like a great big autoclave.

BonelessHotdogs Report

Final score:

176points

POST

Tuna Beach 1 year ago

.....which uses pressurized steam to kill bacteria. It's like a pressure cooker for sterilizing things.

180points

#34

Bunk Beds (?) In A Crawlspace Of A Home From 1959

Answer: Yep, bomb/fallout shelter. For 1959, effectively the same thing.

AFThrowaway777 Report

Final score:

173points

POST

Couldnt_find_a_decent_name 1 year ago

Those look hella uncomfortable

68points

#35

Older House 1960. Chimney But Opening Is On The Outside Not Inside ?

Answer: Looks like a chimney cleanout door.

Joshyyboyy Report

Final score:

171points

POST

RJ 1 year ago

Can Confirm. Chimney cleanout. Remember to sweep your chimneys regularly folks.

70points

#36

Signs On The Truck Say ‘Radioactive’. Metallic Dumbbell-Shaped Container

Answer: It's a radioactive waste transport cask.

smellerr Report

Final score:

169points

POST

Stephanie Did It 1 year ago

I'd give this thing a very wide berth!

68points

#37

Seen While Walking Down The Street. A Ziplock Bag Tacked Above A Door. Seems To Contain Water And A Few Pennies. What Could This Be For?

Answer: Homemade mosquito/fly deterrent. The light reflecting off the water and pennies is supposed to scare off pesky bugs.

Charker21 Report

Final score:

169points

POST

Stephanie Did It 1 year ago

Good for preventing wasps from building nests under the eaves.

55points

Puzzleheaded_Sea_423 Report

#38

Piece Of Silver Found On Mustang Island Right Off Of The Gulf Of Mexico. It Was On The Beach

Answer: Definitely a coin. For a second there, I thought you hit the jackpot, too bad its just a replica.

Final score:

167points

POST

Stephanie Did It 1 year ago

Has anyone found the glasses I lost on that beach yet?

58points

Auntriarch 1 year ago

No but I found myself a new pair 😈

24points

Load More Replies...

Cyber Returns 1 year ago

Yes. I traded them in for a replica coin and lost it on the same beach

20points

Zoecat 1 year ago

Do they look like this 👓

12points

Guile main 1 year ago

Are they the ones I'm wearing right now?

8points

WoodenLion 1 year ago (edited)

i lost a pair in the water off mustang island

5points

Vera Diblikova 1 year ago

I lost by glasses some day nel la spiaggia, the secon day I found it completely ruined by sand.

0points

Julie 1 year ago

Dang, I thought someone finally found the Jean Lafitte treasure..

4points

hcaballero57 1 year ago

How can you tell, its a replica?

3points

lauralett50 1 year ago

Did you see Captain Barbosa and the crew of the Black Pearl??

2points

Steve Robert 1 year ago

As a retired numismatist, it's either a very rare coin, if real, or a button.😁

1point

Graham Berry 1 year ago

It is a replica coin. You can sometimes get them at sca/ren fair's and a couple of different museums. I personally found one at the bottom of a used washing machine once. It's still neet even if it not worth much.

0points

Adam Francis 1 year ago

I've seen that same writing on the side of a UFO

0points

Dr_Sodium_Chloride Report

#39

These Bakery Window Decorations From Kiki's Delivery Service

Answer: Knäckebröd. The movie's aesthetics is heavily inspired by a trip Miyazaki took to Sweden. Yes just to clarify its a Swedish/Scandinavian hard bread.

Final score:

165points

POST

Panda Kicki 1 year ago

Usually you baked Knäckebröd in large quantities and hung them in the kitchen ceiling, to keep away from mice.

57points

#40

I Found This Odd Set Of Disposable Cutlery (?) In A New Flat I Just Moved Into

Answer: Yes, definitely cake or clay modeling.

Riverendell Report

Final score:

164points

POST

Abigail Hill 1 year ago

I think I had this exact set a few years back :)

30points

#41

What Is This House In The Middle Of Ocean? This Was About A Mile Off The Coast Of Mobile Al When I Went On A Cruise

Answer: It's the Middle Bay Light.

Jacknut187 Report

Final score:

162points

POST

Robert Trebor 1 year ago

You didn't think you'd get land for free with the house.

53points

#42

Black Stone Object Found Buried In A Garden In Somerset, UK. Ornate Carving On Front, Uneven Scratch Marks On Back

Answer: The material appears to be “Whitby Jet”, a material that occurs on the Yorkshire coastline. It was made extremely popular by Queen Victoria as mourning jewelery but it has been used and carved by people in the Bronze Age, Roman era, Viking era etc.. to me it looks like a Victorian amateur carved plaque in Whitby Jet but could be an earlier thing. You can tell if it’s jet by rubbing it-it will retain a static charge and attract dust or lint.

Edit-just realized how small it is. Probably part of a bracelet or necklace from Victorian era.

The_Eret Report

Final score:

161points

POST

Apatheist Account2 1 year ago

Scale for scale.

43points

OnlyDansPhilosophy Report

#43

Witt I Found A Bunch Of These Small Red Cylinders Under My Couch. They're Filled With Cement Like Material Wrapped In Paper Similar To The Paper Crayons Are Wrapped In

Answer: That is a firecracker my dude! Watch your fingers!!

Final score:

160points

POST

Couldnt_find_a_decent_name 1 year ago

Blow them up 😈

25points

#44

Witt I Found At A Thrift Store? Compass, Clock (?) And Springloaded Slots

Answer: 80s car insert. Compass for use with maps Slots for holding coins for tolls. Ford or mazda is my guess.

Toadkalle Report

Final score:

152points

POST

Imanuella 1 year ago

I used to have one of these. Am old.

50points

#45

Small Black Balls That Came Out Of My Cat’s Fur When Brushing

Answer: OK, hear me out, does the furminator brush yhat you have have a black handle with bumps and are some of those bumps missing? Because it looks like the grippy bumps on the handle of mine broken off...

Lewca43 Report

Final score:

151points

POST

CAT /ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ QUEEN 1 year ago

i hate it when those get stuck in my fur....

64points

#46

Thin Decorated Metal Plate, 7 Inches Long

Answer: From the catch tray for a Kuerig coffee maker.

yeti_button Report

Final score:

151points

POST

Sawdust 1 year ago

Finally one that I recognize. :-)

71points

#47

Weird Symbols In Saskatchewan Taken From 21,000ft

Answer: Here’s your answer: Ducks Unlimited waterfowl habitat.

Ace_Laminar Report

Final score:

149points

POST

CAT /ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ QUEEN 1 year ago

so no aliens? *takes of tinfoil hat*

92points

#48

Hotel Room Bed Leg Has Red Flashing Light Coming From Rubber Piece…

Answer: There's a YouTube video that says it's a mesh bed bug detector. Video calls it Wirepas.

kikogeruk Report

Final score:

146points

POST

Couldnt_find_a_decent_name 1 year ago

Or is it a camera?? Lol

33points

#49

Paper-Wrapped Substance Inside Plastic Box Inside 60s Czech Military Bag

Answer: This looks like the soap that was used to prevent a gas mask from fogging up.

Skaramuche Report

Final score:

145points

POST

AJay 1 year ago

Does it work on glasses to stop them fogging up when you wear a mask with them? I had that problem a lot during the covid restrictions, I would go out shopping and be wiping my glasses often or I could not see.

37points

#50

I Was Watching A Remastered Clip Of Netherlands In 1919. What Are These Reflectors On Their Caps?

Answer: They're called 'oorijzers'. Started out as hat pins, became their own bit of pointless fashion.

Tod_Lapraik Report

Final score:

138points

POST

Caro Caro 1 year ago

Initially, the ear iron was a metal bracket to hold the caps in place. It was worn over an under cap and a luxurious over cap was attached to it. Over time, the ear iron grew into a showpiece. Decorated gold plates or curls protruded from the front of the ear irons. Hat pins were used to attach the hood to the ear iron.

58points

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#51

What Is This Thing? Someone Is Sticking Them To Walls And Doors Around The Office

Answer: Security check-in. When security roams the floor they use a device to scan the code to indicate they have patrolled the area.

bma4843 Report

Final score:

50points

POST

Mystery Egg 1 year ago

They could have at least stuck it in straight. It’s annoying me being on the wonk

52points

doublecheekedup123 Report

#52

Friend Found Both Together While Diving At Makaha, Hawaii. Orange/Brown, Hard, And Looks Like They Have Layers

Answer: Mouth plates of some kind of fish, possibly pufferfish!

Final score:

49points

POST

Couldnt_find_a_decent_name 1 year ago

Ooh very cool

15points

little_blue_narwhal Report

#53

There Are Two Of These Large Xs On Our West Texas USA Ranch. They Are Next To County Roads. There Are No Other Markings. Someone Came And Put Them In Earlier This Year Without Telling Us. They Are About 4 Feet Square. Thanks!

There Are Two Of These Large Xs On Our West Texas USA Ranch. They Are Next To County Roads. There Are No Other Markings. Someone Came And Put Them In Earlier This Year Without Telling Us. They Are About 4 Feet Square. Thanks!

Answer: Aerial survey targets for photogrametry.

Final score:

47points

POST

Fraxinus excelsior 1 year ago

It's where the treasure is buried

20points

#54

Bought A Coat Dress From Vintage Store In North Eastern Us And Found Brown Powder Sewn Inside While Letting Out Seams. Haven’t Touched It But It Appears To Be Sewn Into The Entire Garment. Think The Coat Is From The 60s Or 70s

Bought A Coat Dress From Vintage Store In North Eastern Us And Found Brown Powder Sewn Inside While Letting Out Seams. Haven’t Touched It But It Appears To Be Sewn Into The Entire Garment. Think The Coat Is From The 60s Or 70s

Answer: Some plastic/rubber foam where the polymers have broken down.

captainlexan Report

Final score:

47points

POST

Ruth Hempsey 1 year ago

Yes, we had several old cushions I decided to recover and inside was a foam square deteriorating like that. Garbaged of course.

18points

#55

Two Wires On Busy Suburban Street, Reappears At Fixed Intervals

Answer: Pneumatic traffic counter.

hungrydit Report

Final score:

47points

POST

Kate Haslam 1 year ago

With the two-wire setup, it's also measuring average speed as well as number of cars.

44points

#56

What Is The Small White Plastic Tube, It Has A "Lot" Number Stamped On The End And Unscrews To A Smaller White Tube Inside. The Inner Tube Smells Minty But Does Not Open Further

Answer: An "inhaler". It's supposed to smell strongly of mint and menthol or eucalyptus, and open blocked nasal passages.

Wild_Wild_Sea_999 Report

Final score:

47points

POST

Almostfoxlike 1 year ago

Its a vics vapor rub inhaler to be exact

52points

#57

The Liquid Rises When You Hold The Bottom. We Don't Know Where It Came From. Supposedly It Measures Blood Pressure But Idk

Answer: It is just a toy or a demonstration of a liquid with a very low boiling point.

sciip Report

Final score:

47points

POST

Pedantic Panda 1 year ago (edited)

Got one of these as a physics gift. Liquid didn't actually boil but expands slightly due to the heat of your hand causing it to rise up through the glass. Same effect then causes the air to expand and bubble up through the liquid giving the effect of boiling.

17points

#58

Made Of Metal About 5 Inches Long

Answer: It’s more accurately a cobbler’s shoe anvil for repair. They come in different sizes and fit onto a stand interchangeably.

GDscNFA Report

Final score:

46points

POST

Stephanie Did It 1 year ago

I believe it's called a last.

24points

#59

What Is This Thing? An Inflated Plastic Bag Sticking Out Of The Window Of One Of The Houses On My Street

Answer: It's a positive pressure vent. It's used when mold is being remediated. When demo of the affected area is being done, it causes dust with mold spores in them. The tube is hooked up to an air scrubber machine and that tube sticking out is the machines exhaust.

GreatScot4224 Report

Final score:

45points

POST

Carter Allen 1 year ago

Looks a little sus…🤨🤨🤨

17points

#60

Small Pointy Curved Metal Attached To Bicycle Frame, Point Facing Front Of Bike

Answer: That is to hold an air pump. There should be another one on the opposite side.

Newhousewhodiss Report

Final score:

45points

POST

Ruth Hempsey 1 year ago

We all had those on our bikes once upon a time. Included with the bike. Have a slow puncture in the back of beyond you could get home to fix your inner tire with enough stops to pump it up. This thread is becoming a history lesson. I wouldn't mind but it makes me historical knowing this stuff.😎

30points

#61

A House Warming Gift. It's Half Wood, Half Marble, Two Semi Circle Dips, Mini Spoon. What The Heck Is It?

Answer: It's salt & pepper "pinch pot".

Lower-Tiger-5129 Report

Final score:

45points

POST

Couldnt_find_a_decent_name 1 year ago

I want one, it looks so cute

18points

#62

At An Airbnb In A Beach Town On East Coast, Us. Kitchen Island Has These “Indents” With A Handle? Seems Like Repurposed Wood But Curious If There Is A Purpose In The Kitchen Or Just A Design?

Answer: It was part of a hatch door, on a barn or a ship.

pinkwhitney24 Report

Final score:

44points

POST

BravePanda 1 year ago

Love the banana for scale

41points

#63

What Is The Red Pointy Plastic Used For? I Can’t Get A Straight Answer

Answer: It's for opening old style, push tab style cans... so you don't cut your finger.

PRG013 Report

Final score:

43points

POST

Not Bored 1 year ago

Cute Dog

36points

Pineapple_Incident17 Report

#64

What Are These Small White Boxes Around The Base Of Our Bed At The Excalibur Hotel?

Answer: Bedbug monitors that they monitor remotely.

Final score:

43points

POST

Wubbleyew 1 year ago

Are bedbugs a worldwide thing? Never come across them in NZ

12points

#65

Recently Moved Into A Older House, There Are 2 Of These "Outlets" In The House With This Weird Device Behind Them, What Is This Thing?

Answer: I would say motion sensor for an alarm system the two placed should be directly across from each othe to make an electronic trip indication.

lordarryn Report

Final score:

42points

POST

Burnt Bagel 1 year ago

Lots of Big Brother s**t actually going on in this post!

10points

#66

Pyrex Globe With Ceramic. Found By A Relative This Morning

Answer: Glass Toilet Tank Float.

curious382 Report

Final score:

42points

POST

C L 1 year ago

If you ever find one that is flatter, could be a pyrex baby nursing bottle

12points

#67

Plugged In And Secured With A Screw In My Airbnb (USA)

Answer: It is a NoiseAware party detector.

undothewinnings Report

Final score:

42points

POST

DonnerDinnerParty 1 year ago

What..?

17points

#68

Heavy (Brass?) Part. Discovered In The Belongings Of A Wwii Veteran. Can Rotate And Unscrew Parts, As Displayed

Answer: It's an artillery fuze.

bermudajoe Report

Final score:

42points

POST

sturmwesen 1 year ago

This looks like a kitchen timer 8-)

20points

#69

What Could This Be? It's Made Of Wood And Contains A Wheel Full Of Sharp Spikes. I'm Thinking A Grinder, But What Could It Grind?

Answer: Cheese grater.

pantalonedilimone Report

Final score:

42points

POST

Sexual Harassment Panda 1 year ago

Sounds like a nightmare to clean.

33points

#70

Almost Looks Like A Fridge With A Seat In It, And An Opening For Your Head?? About 4 Or 5 Feet Tall I Think

Answer: Personal sauna.

delphinnee Report

Final score:

42points

POST

Katie Lutesinger 1 year ago

One appeared in that episode of Futurama where Dr Zoidberg goes mating crazy and trashes the gym! There's a guy in there with just his head poking out, and Amy Wong tries flirting with him.

23points

#71

~10” Long, Ball Comes Off, Tool Or Part

Answer: Yep, hip replacement.

kenkreie Report

Final score:

41points

POST

Sandy D 1 year ago

The spike end gets jammed into your femur! I know because I watched an entire hip replacement video just before I had my hip replacement done. It's s pretty brutal procedure. Thankfully I was not awake when they installed mine

26points

alllowercaseyouknow Report

#72

Guy Wearing This Ankle Thing At A Vacation Resort In The Caribbean… What Is This Thing?

Answer: For mosquitoes as a repellent.

Final score:

41points

POST

Pedantic Panda 1 year ago

Think this is an example of invading someone's privacy.

4points

#73

Found In Remote Northern Alaska, Machined Metal With Hoses And Wires Running Through The Center

Answer: It's literally a segment of the rocket.

_ILLITERATE_ Report

Final score:

41points

POST

Lyone Fein 1 year ago

*the* rocket?

33points

Frosty_Network4799 Report

#74

My Dishwasher Wasn’t Working And The Repair Person Pulled Out This Substance From The Filters. It Was A Little Soft And Malleable When He First Pulled It Out. Now It’s Getting Hard As It Dries. He Accused Me Of Putting Paper Towels In With My Dirty Dishes Which I Do Not Do

My Dishwasher Wasn’t Working And The Repair Person Pulled Out This Substance From The Filters. It Was A Little Soft And Malleable When He First Pulled It Out. Now It’s Getting Hard As It Dries. He Accused Me Of Putting Paper Towels In With My Dirty Dishes Which I Do Not Do

Answer: Labels on items can disintegrate and wind up here. Surprising that he went straight to paper towels.

Final score:

40points

POST

Zia Barrett 1 year ago

Yep, if you don't get all the label off a jar you're reusing, does this. Those labels are a pest to get off.

16points

#75

Found On The Grass In A Suburban Business Park. Lightweight Like Paper Or Dried Mud, Crumbles Easily, Yet Holds Its Shape In Water. Square Holes Run All The Way Through To The Other Side

Answer: Inside Part of a catalytic converter.

RossGriffon_Bmore Report

Final score:

39points

POST

Sawdust 1 year ago

Thought this was going to be a wasps' nest.

48points

#76

This Gold Arched Decoration With A Crystal In The Middle. Wife Found It At A Goodwill And I Feel Like It Has Religious Backgrounds

Answer: It's a "New Age" crystal energy piece. The center "pendulum" crystal came from an antique electric table lamp (It is right behind me...I'll post a pic). It's been worked and ground down to have those curves (likely done with a Dremel tool. The rest of it is bits and pieces from candle holders or incense/oil burners.

Parisbruv Report

Final score:

39points

POST

Zia Barrett 1 year ago

I'd be careful with it near a window - glass or crystal with sunlight hitting it can track a hot beam inside that can set fabrics and furniture on fire.

50points

#77

I Just Noticed Some Very Fresh Feeling Marks On My Front Door… I Moved In A Month Ago And I’m 90% Certain They’re New Since Then

Answer: It's def sap or glue being compressed out of the door as it expands/retracts.

this-is-me-2018 Report

Final score:

39points

POST

Dillon Brown 1 year ago

I am Groot

9points

#78

Does Anyone Know What This Is? We Found It In Our Airbnb, It Is Heavy, Carpeted, And Has Two Inflexible Wooden Posts

Answer: That is a stool designed to look like a camel saddle. It's a fairly common design motif.

jalapenohunnie Report

Final score:

39points

POST

DC 1 year ago

I have such a ... well, remains of a cheaper model. It is two wooden hald parts, parted longitudinally, with brass cups to slide on both halfround parts where the posts are in this, and has a used-up leather pad to sit on. Got it from a coworker of Dad's, some 20+ years ago.

5points

#79

Rusted Metal Sphere Found Buried In Beach In Sligo, Ireland. It Seems To Be Around 2-3 Meters Wide. Nothing Is Written On It, And No Electronics As Far As I Know

Answer: This page identifies it as a marine buoy.

CrissCross4850 Report

Final score:

38points

POST

Cyber Returns 1 year ago

Ha! Beach nipple!

25points

#80

Little Fence Piece Jutting Out On Bridge, I See These Everywhere In The Midwest

Answer: It's so people can't climb on that side of the fence easily or commit suicide.

Faketuxedo Report

Final score:

38points

POST

Auntriarch 1 year ago

Or people planning to spray paint their names on the bridge

31points

#81

Antenna Like Thing Found In A Back Yard Near A Golf Course?

Answer: That is a ham radio loop antenna made in Italy by Ciro Mazzoni company. It's quite an expensive antenna, around $2000.00 USD. There is an antenna rotator located below the antenna.

7LeggedEmu Report

Final score:

37points

POST

Kayjunmoon 1 year ago

Do people still do ham radio?

8points

#82

It's Just A Little Cage With A Sphere, 3-4cm. I Don't Know If It's Use To Clean Something Or To Avoid Bubbles In Hot Liquids, Like Milk Or What, Can You Help Me ?

Answer: It goes inside a whisk.

Xratu Report

Final score:

36points

POST

Kerri Russ 1 year ago

Looks like a cat toy

26points

#83

Groove In Granite Countertop Next To Cooktop

Answer: Just searched the very specific "egg groove on countertop" and it is indeed a thing.

MaritimeMuse Report

Final score:

36points

POST

DonnerDinnerParty 1 year ago (edited)

But why? Edit: Just Googled it and it is intended to temporarily store room temperature eggs until ready to use

14points

#84

Found While Cleaning The Couch, No One Knows Where It Came From. Noted It Says “Credit Swish”, Not Swiss. Back Side Is Blank. It’s Metal But probably Not Gold

Found While Cleaning The Couch, No One Knows Where It Came From. Noted It Says “Credit Swish”, Not Swiss. Back Side Is Blank. It’s Metal But *probably* Not Gold

Answer: It's a longshot, but it might be a promotional trinket from Swish, which is a mobile payment system, like Venmo, in Sweden.

Mayhem_and_Cheese Report

Final score:

35points

POST

Cyber Returns 1 year ago

Curtain weight. Swish sold them with their pull cord curtain rails and these were put in the hem at the bottom of the curtains.

56points

#85

Bought A Purse At An Estate Sale. It Was Filled With These Small Cylindrical Metal Pellets. One End Of A Pellet Is Wider With An Indentation In The Center, And The Other End Is Narrower With A Hole In The Center

Bought A Purse At An Estate Sale. It Was Filled With These Small Cylindrical Metal Pellets. One End Of A Pellet Is Wider With An Indentation In The Center, And The Other End Is Narrower With A Hole In The Center

Answer: The are primers for shotgun shells, the part that the firing pin hits to set off the charge. All the ones I see are spent (they have a divot in the one side), so they are not dangerous.

Shadyschoolgirl Report

Final score:

35points

POST

D. Pitbull 1 year ago

Worryingly enough... I recognized what these were... even though I've never handled any sort of firearm... because I watch WAY too many Forensic File type shows.

21points

#86

Aside From It Obviously Being A Hammer, What Is This Extra Bit For?

Answer: Straightening 2x4s during framing.

ProjectDirtbikes Report

Final score:

35points

POST

RJ 1 year ago

In case anyone needs more clarity: Imagine a 2x4 that is twisted. You nail one end in place and then position the twisted 2x4 in between the claw of the hammer and that metal bit near where you want to put your next nail and twist it into position. Then continue down the board, twisting and nailing. You'd probably use a few extra nails on that one board to keep things square (-ish).

37points

#87

We Found This Metal Detecting. I Believe It Is Thin Brass, About 3 To Four Inches Long. It Seems Too Thin To Be A Belt Buckle. Definitely Stamped

Answer: If its real, that is the front of a Union belt buckle. Maybe the back is nearby.

CommaGuy Report

Final score:

35points

POST

C L 1 year ago

US Cavalry buckle - Civil War and all thru the western US. Horse regiments like the 7th Cavalry. Many are reproductions.

15points

#88

What Are These Glass Things Attached To The Ceiling? They're All Over The House By The Windows. House Was Built Between 2010-2015

Answer: It prevents another sprinkler from getting wet, which would prevent its activation.

thecowardlylion8 Report

Final score:

35points

POST

Whippet With A Cheeseburger 1 year ago

Super cool!

4points

ThreesomeAtMcDonalds Report

#89

Long Tool With A Metal Dial On The Top That You Can Twist. Possibly Related To Calligraphy Or Type Setting

Answer: It's a drafting pen.

Final score:

35points

POST

Chiara Lago 1 year ago

It's also called a ruling pen. I used one when I was a production artist when creating mechanicals to create crop marks before computers. I now use mine to create straight lines using masking fluid when I paint with watercolors

17points

ugliestparadefloat Report

#90

Wooden Block With What Looks Like An Aux Chord Coming Out. Found In My Hotel Room In Rome, There Are Four Of Them In The Room Next To The Beds

Answer: Uncle Jimmy installed a "headphone distribution amplifier" or whatever his jerry-rigged version of one was. The wood hemisphere is just covering the hole for the cable pull. The hook at the top would hold the headphones. Watch TV without disturbing other guests, I guess.

ryangh24 Report

Final score:

34points

POST

#91

What Is This Wooden Contraption Sitting On The Ledge Of A Second Story Apartment Window?

Answer: It's a crow/bird trainer/feeder.

Final score:

33points

POST

Dynein 1 year ago

Looked at the original reddit thread, and, while this is certainly the top answer, it's apparently *not* the answer. The answer accepted by OP is "stevenson screen" - something to protect weather measuring instruments from sunlight and rain. They look like stacked cups and buckets and this might well be a very basic DIY version.

6points

#92

I Found This Soviet Device In The Balkans. It’s 130 Kg, About A Meter Long And Made In 1963. Looks To Be Some Sort Of Telescope/Spotlight. Any More Information Would Be Appreciated

Answer: It's a Soviet made collimator from 1963 with rudimentary night sight.

-Sanin- Report

Final score:

32points

POST

BravePanda 1 year ago

col·li·ma·tor /ˈkäləˌmādər/ noun a device for producing a parallel beam of rays or radiation.

46points

#93

Came Across This Cleaning Today, Its About 1” Tall Maybe The Same In Diameter, Made Of Plastic, Has Holes All Throughout And Looks Like It Has Grooves To Stick Into Something, Does Anyone Know?

Answer: That's half a chastity cage.

dandydani2 Report

Final score:

30points

POST

You Should Do Nothing with the Fence 1 year ago

Kind of looks like a bobbin case for a sewing machine?

12points

#94

Robot Drove Itself Down The Sidewalk From The Corner, Then Docked At This House. No Visible Operator, And The House Seems To Have More Units In The Garage

Answer: Solved. I’m just going to give credit here, as this is the closest one. I agree that it seems not to be a commercially available robot and is probably made/developed by the homeowner.

bdjorn Report

Final score:

30points

POST

Lyone Fein 1 year ago

I would befriend this neighbor, as they are probably an intelligent nerdy type.

21points

#95

Small Red Flippable Plates Outside Windows In Montreal, Canada

Answer: It is exactly a survey prism. They use them to locate exact locations/elevations for upcoming construction projects (i.e. the new wall needs to be exactly 4 feet off of this wall, but the new wall being built is down the street). They can also be used to measure movement over time, if they leave the prism there for a while it is more than likely measuring the building settling (or even moving horizontally).

brenex Report

Final score:

30points

POST

#96

Around 1m High Made Of Glass, Probably Originated From A Rafinery Or A Power Plant Before The 90s

Answer: Mercury arc rectifier.

woxak Report

Final score:

30points

POST

BravePanda 1 year ago

"A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current (AC), which periodically reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which flows in only one direction. The reverse operation is performed by the inverter." Wikipedia

36points

#97

What Are These Little Ornate Houses Outside Greek Houses? Spotted In Santorini

Answer: I believe that particular one is a shrine to Saint Raphael, patron saint of various things including healing. Raphael was the Abbot of a monastery in Karyes and was martyred by the Ottomans in the 15th century.

tardiusmaximus Report

Final score:

30points

POST

Todd Campbell 1 year ago

Everyone thinks of gods as big, but Greek Gods and Godesses are teeny tiny people with big egos. These are their homes.

18points

#98

What Is This Dried Black/Grey Ooze Showing Up In A Neighbors Field? Amount Seems To Be Increasing The Past Few Days

Answer: Treated wastewater sludge. Land application is a common method of treatment/disposal.

LanikeaDances Report

Final score:

30points

POST

JoMeBee 1 year ago

... and fertilizer

12points

#99

What Are These Markings Found In A Field On Google Maps?

Answer: Usually these are surveying trenches used to check if there is anything archeologically significant under a field before developers come in and build houses. If they find something then they dig extra trenches before deciding if it's worth a full dig.

robbo_6 Report

Final score:

29points

POST

Auntriarch 1 year ago

Not William Morris wallpaper then

19points

#100

What Is This Black Stuff That Keeps Appearing On All My White Containers?

Answer: Airborne dirt is sticking to the oil from your hands and as a result, your fingerprints are showing up.

notstonythetiger Report

Final score:

29points

POST

Katie Lutesinger 1 year ago

In other words, you should probably wash your hands.

20points

#101

What Is This Thing I've Seen Attached On The Back Of This Toyota? Appears To Have Some Lasers Or Lidar System

Answer: My conclusion is it's a mobile direction-finding system, most likely used by a government or military agency, for locating unlicensed or otherwise problematic radio transmitters.

ThisIsLukkas Report

Final score:

29points

POST

David A Paterson 1 year ago

It looks like a storm chaser to me. For measuring wind speeds, humidity and detecting lightning. I could be wrong.

22points

#102

Large Gray Plastic Dial With Aa Battery On Top, Worn By Older Man Around Neck Like A Necklace. He Had Normal Behind-The-Ear Hearing Aids Which Didn’t Seem Related. Saw Him Turn The Dial ~4 Times Over Couple Of Hours. Didn’t Want To Be Rude & Take A Pic, So There's Just A Masterful Sketch Done By Me

Large Gray Plastic Dial With Aa Battery On Top, Worn By Older Man Around Neck Like A Necklace. He Had Normal Behind-The-Ear Hearing Aids Which Didn’t Seem Related. Saw Him Turn The Dial ~4 Times Over Couple Of Hours. Didn’t Want To Be Rude & Take A Pic, So There's Just A Masterful Sketch Done By Me

Answer: Check out T loop receivers. They do a wide range of them but a image search may turn it up. In this case likely the sennheiser infrared hearing system?

flyingwhyflying Report

Final score:

28points

POST

Amy Burke 1 year ago

Yeah maybe a hearing amplifier for the elderly

5points

Wallace_of_Hawthorne Report

#103

My New Neighbors Just Put This Out On Their Back Patio, The Coaxial Connect For The House Is Right Inside The Door. I Am Guessing This Is Some Kind Of WiFi Extender?

Answer: It looks like an RTL SDR antenna. SDR is software defined radio and is used for picking up a wide range of radio frequencies. Sometimes ADSB airline signals an many others.

Final score:

28points

POST

Dillon Brown 1 year ago

🤷🏻 I feel like an effort was made to describe what it was but I didn't feel like I learned anything 🤷🏻

8points

#104

Found These In A Bin In My Backyard After Doing Some Yard Clean Up. They Are Metal And Round On One Side. Approximately 2” Diameter By 4” Long. On The Flat Side There Are Six Circles

Answer: While these are 40mm practice rounds, they aren’t for the 203 or 320. These are for mk19’s. The length and bases are different. Fun fact, the mk19 practice rounds also don’t disperse chalk.

Slow-Number-5860 Report

Final score:

28points

POST

Imanuella 1 year ago

Are they talking about guns?

10points

#105

Around 2' 10" Long. Looks Handmade, Entirely Out Of Metal. No Markings And Nothing Found On Google

Answer: Campfire roastery accoutrements; marshmallows, hotdogs, rabbit parts, etc. over open flame.

potatotatob Report

Final score:

28points

POST

D. Pitbull 1 year ago

Soo... you can now have a fencing match with your toasted marshmallows!

25points

na_na_whats_my_name Report

#106

My Friend Has Found A Bunch Of These Weird Little Plastic Things While Cleaning Up The Beaches In Maine. We Have No Clue What They Are And We Aren’t Having Much Luck With Google, Does Anyone Know?

Answer: They are Evolution Aqua K1 Filter media. For pond/koi filters.

Final score:

27points

POST

Lyone Fein 1 year ago

Crappy that they are ending up on the ocean beach.

29points

#107

Small Metal Object, Flattened On End Like It Landed On Concrete At High Speed, Found On Sidewalk

Answer: Definitely a bullet. The grooves from the barrel's rifling give it away. I suspect it's no bigger than a 9 mm.

rekniht01 Report

Final score:

26points

POST

Dillon Brown 1 year ago

Yikes, what goes up must come down! That's why you don't fire straight up in the air people!

6points

#108

These Two Things Floated To The Ground Just After A Large Plane Passed Low Over My House. They're Gritty And Rubbery, Almost Like Dried Paint. They Also Have A Strong Overly Sweet Smell

Answer: Reminds me of the flame retardant powder they have big planes fly over fires and drop, maybe a congealed chunk of it.

youneednewshoes Report

Final score:

26points

POST

Kate Haslam 1 year ago

Phos-chek. It's not powder, it's liquid -- so yeah, that might be it.

10points

#109

What Is This "Brain Sensor" Iga Swiatek Used Before Her Semifinal Match?

Answer: Apparently, her psychologist is an important part of her success. Monitoring her brain and heart activity to guage her stress levels is part of this.

CapnFlam Report

Final score:

26points

POST

Cyber Returns 1 year ago

This one, connected to the forehead only, reads the person's drowsiness levels. Had this one done a few times. There can be up to 32-35 sensors connected and reading the electrical impulses of the brain at once. Had it done twice

10points

#110

North Texas - Crossbow Bolt? What Weapon Fires This?

Answer: Looks like a blowgun dart missing the round plastic end.

scoonbug Report

Final score:

26points

POST

Casey Fenstra 1 year ago

Not a blow gun dart, they arnt shaped like arrows more like really thick needles. This look like it could be for a hand crossbow if it had the end part.

1point

#111

Massive Ring Gear On Semi, Maybe 12ft Dia

Answer: That's a ring gear for a rotary dryer.

lysolmax Report

Final score:

26points

POST

D. Pitbull 1 year ago

Sigh... so... not part of a Stargate... awww...

28points

#112

Plastic And Metal Bullets? Some Are In A Chain Together Like In A Machine-Gun Some Are Loose

Answer: That’s plastic blank ammunition, most commonly used in re-enactments.

Angusburgerman Report

Final score:

25points

POST

Dillon Brown 1 year ago

Or maybe Hollywood?

2points

#113

A Man Stopped Me In A Corner Store Parking Lot To Ask Me What This Thing Is He Found Under His Car Seat. Worried It’s A Mic. Any Ideas?

Answer: That is a condenser microphone connected to a push button momentary switch. If that's all there is, nothing to worry about. Could be someone trying to make something look scarry, or a small part of something broken, like a cheap Bluetooth headset.

Otterspice Report

Final score:

25points

POST

Geoffrey Scott 1 year ago

Condenser of some sort for sure

2points

#114

Answer: What Are These Chains Under An Ambulance?

They are automatic snow chains for traction control.

oslosvinet Report

Final score:

25points

POST

C L 1 year ago

Instead of manually installing snow chains around a tire, a driver flips a switch inside the cab to activate a solenoid, which positions a “chain wheel” to contact the inside truck tire. When the truck is rolling, the chain wheel rotates to “fling” lengths of chains under the tires for traction. For truckers who spend time manually installing snow chains on their trucks in the winter, this product can help not only save time and save money, but also save lives and injuries.

31points

#115

Big Concrete Object With Mysterious Text, 4 Holes And 4 Loops Along The Rim, Has No Bottom

Answer: AN ASSYRIAN STYLE CAST STONE URN: modeled for the restoration of the Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, second half 20th century, With sloped sides cast with Assyrian winged deities, inscribed on both sides.

irl_rage_quitter Report

Final score:

25points

POST

Zia Barrett 1 year ago

So, a large and expensive garden decoration?

14points

#116

Box With Vent, And Crosshair Symbol Stamped On Side. One Of Two Similar Boxes Offloaded With Luggage On Plane. Didn't Look To Be Particularly Heavy When Lifted By Aeroport Employees

Answer: Reusable crate for machine parts. You send out to new part and the old part is placed in the crate and sent back to be retooled.

fitzwillliam Report

Final score:

25points

POST

Tinley's Aunt 1 year ago

Why are the boxes vented?

10points

#117

Around Half The Houses On My Street Have These White Posts On The Tip Of Their Roofs, What Do They Signify? (Brampton, Ontario For Reference)

Answer: It’s a roof finial, a decorative thing. Usually seen on colonial style architecture, or in the Far East.

SpaceNinja25 Report

Final score:

25points

POST

Geoffrey Scott 1 year ago

Or lightning rod? Can't see if there is a wire running into eave

8points

#118

Backpack With Pressure Gauges And Tubing Coming Out Of It/On Top Of It

Answer: Air conditioning service manifold those are worth some money.

Cowween Report

Final score:

24points

POST

Cyber Returns 1 year ago

Portable time machine. Watch a film called See You Yesterday to see one in action

9points

#119

What Is This Sweet Smelling Brown Stuff Coming Out Of My Basement Wall?

Answer: I’m going to agree with the comments calling this caulk/sealant and marking this as solved! The rest of the cracks and gaps have sealant too, this one just looks like it’s gotten moldy or started to rot. It’s definitely not honey,

TimberTheDog Report

Final score:

23points

POST

VonBlade 1 year ago

I love the "definitely not honey" like they spread some on toast and that's how they can be so certain. *ptooie* that's _definitely_ not honey :D

8points

#120

Found These White Pole Looking Things On A Truck With A Sticker On It While On A Road Trip. What Is This?

Answer: Column lifts.

SuperDuper_Bruh Report

Final score:

23points

POST

Ruth Hempsey 1 year ago

Updated edition of Daleks.

20points

#121

I Have Found Several Of These Small Plastic Caps Around The Parking Lot Of Our Business

Answer: GUM proxabrush covers. It is a small brush used like dental floss.

nathanhostetter Report

Final score:

22points

POST

JoMeBee 1 year ago

I hate flossers! So much plastic waste! Just use floss!

11points

#122

I Work In Recycling, And Have Found Multiple Objects Like This. It Is Made Of Some Kind Of Silicone, It Has A (Weak) Magnet In It, And It Is Kinda Phallic. What Is This Thing?

Answer: Magnetic bottle holder strap.

shape_reality Report

Final score:

22points

POST

N Miller 1 year ago

That answer does not enlighten me

27points

#123

Moved Into Dorm, No Ethernet But Wondering About These Ports

Answer: Token Ring. You need an E connector. Used to have hundreds of them at work before they redid the network.

Zachsnack Report

Final score:

21points

POST

D. Pitbull 1 year ago

I read that as Tolkien Ring. Sauron?? THAT YOU? - damn... must put in eyedrops...

17points

#124

Small, Dense Wood-Effect Plastic Piece With X Slightly Off Centre. No Other Marks. Aa Battery For Scale. Potentially A Game Piece?

Answer: It's one of a cheap rune set used for fortune telling. You can buy them in gift shops and "witchy" shops.

PeeledHumanGrape Report

Final score:

21points

POST

Carter Allen 1 year ago

What happened to that battery???

41points

#125

Cage Room Thing On Top Of A Stream In Japan

Answer: After seeing everyone suggesting garbage collection, I am now sure that is it, and this seems like the likely use for the tools and why it’s so big.

Rachelcookie123 Report

Final score:

20points

POST

Cyber Returns 1 year ago (edited)

I think it's for feeding the fish in the stream. The fish are probably dead or have left the area so it no longer serves a purpose until the fish come back

3points

#126

At Boston Airport There Are Multiple Half Circle Devices On A Stand Which Are Made From Shiny Sheet Metal. There Are A Bunch Of Random Holes In Most Of The Panels That Look Like A Shotgun Blast

Answer: I'd say it's a practice section of fuselage. The holes are probably from using a fuselage-penetrating fire-fighting system.

mattpark-fp Report

Final score:

16points

POST

Dillon Brown 1 year ago

I'd like to say that's it's a devise to re-rout sliders and catch them when they exit a portal. I'd say the bangs are from Q ball, Remmy, the professor, and Wade hitting the cage a little hard on their exit! Can't wait to see the sliders reboot, how bout choo?

4points

#127

Metal Bars Embedded Into End Of Driveway. I've Never Seen Them Used

Answer: It looks sort of like a bollard mounting point, used if you don't want people parking in your drive when you're away.

ambersavampire Report

Final score:

16points

POST

Pedantic Panda 1 year ago

Seen something like these used to secure motorbikes to.

12points

#128

Grill Of Rounded Spikes In A Very Small London Park

Answer: Bench of nails.

CleanSteel Report

Final score:

13points

POST

Echidna learns extreme ironing 1 year ago

Love the answer........

11points

#129

Hello, I've Got This T-Shirt As A Gift But I Have No Idea What Those Extremities I've Circled Are For, Or How I Shouldn't Wear Them. They're Too Short To Tie Together

Answer: This is the answer! You thread the thread through the ends of the white flappy bits!

Marsailema Report

Final score:

12points

POST

Zia Barrett 1 year ago

Because the actual answer was a link - this is apparently what it looks like - the lace goes through and makes a pattern - 8851741_1779756.jpg

38points