Have you ever stumbled upon an object that left you scratching your head? Many of us have experienced the mystery of finding something we can’t quite explain.
Thanks to the internet and online communities, we no longer have to wonder. Today, there’s an entire network of online detectives ready to help identify the most bizarre finds. Here, we dive into 15 of the most curious objects that left people puzzled—until the internet revealed their surprising secrets.
1. “It’s rubber or silicone, fingertip-sized, doesn’t erase, is as hard as a bouncy ball, but doesn’t bounce. What is it?”
Answer: This is an ‘80s light bulb eraser without the metal bottom. It’s infamous for barely erasing anything!
2. “What are these metal things on the corners of the stairs for?”
Answer: These are corner dust guards, designed to make sweeping dust out of the corners easier.
3. “This small gold pig container has a tiny spoon for a tail. What’s its purpose?”
Answer: It’s a salt cellar, perfect for storing and serving salt in style.
4. “What’s happening here?”
Answer: This is evaluation trial trenching, a practice used to check for archaeological artifacts that might be destroyed by construction.
5. “Why does this Stop sign look different?”
Answer: These are directional shields, or “blinders,” allowing the sign to be read only from a narrow angle. You’ll see similar shields on traffic lights.
6. “This plastic-like, circular object with cells was found on a beach in Sardinia, Italy. What is it?”
Answer: This is a type of biofilm used to treat wastewater.
7. “I now own these neon rainbow acrylic mystery sticks. Any ideas?”
Answer: They’re multi-color acrylic Mahjong pushers, used in the game of Mahjong.
8. “This wooden object has heavily chipped paint. What could it be?”
Answer: It’s an old-fashioned phone stand, with a vertical slot for a phone book and a handle on top for easy movement.
9. “What’s the purpose of this unusual toilet?”
Answer: This is a 1950s Standard “Sanistand” urinal designed for women.
10. “This fancy hotel has a shallow tub with two sides. What’s it for?”
Answer: This is a spa tub designed for hydrotherapy. You place your feet in the warm water first, then switch to cold water to promote better circulation.
11. “This object is in the middle of the wall in my 1906 house. What could it be?”
Answer: It’s a capped-off gas line from when houses used gas lighting.
12. “This metal plate is on the floor in our new house, screwed to the ground.”
Answer: This is a built-in floor outlet, perfect for convenient electrical access.
13. “This pumpkin-shaped item opens on a hinge and has a small glass jar inside. Any ideas?”
Answer: It’s a Victorian vinaigrette—a small piece of jewelry that holds smelling salts or perfume, often worn on a chatelaine chain.
14. “I found this strange item in a junk drawer. What is it?”
Answer: This is part of a classic Sunbeam Mixmaster juicer attachment. The spout directs juice while a wire sieve filters out the pulp.
15. “What is this ice phenomenon I found on the forest floor?”
Answer: Known as a “frost flower,” this rare phenomenon occurs when moisture freezes as it escapes plant tissue.
16. “This tall plastic piece with a metal base collapses into itself. What could it be?”
Answer: This is a clarinet (or similar instrument) stand, used to hold the instrument securely.
17. “This mysterious item from Tiffany’s was given to my wife by her grandmother. She wouldn’t explain what it was.”
Answer: This object is a fancy drink stirrer, adding a touch of elegance to any beverage.
18. “This 8-inch handmade wooden item was found in the attic. What does it do?”
Answer: It’s a Yacouba Double Spoon, a symbol of hospitality in traditional African art, representing two opposing universes.
19.“This lightweight, white plastic object has squares and rectangles. No markings. What is it?”
Answer: It’s a battery holder for the original battery in the Mercedes-Benz W168 model.
20. “This small metal object fits in the palm, with a sliding gold part that locks in place with an adjuster screw.”
Answer: This is a fountain pen holder, often used to secure pens for embossing.
21. “This metal bowl with four legs and a threaded lip looks old. Any ideas?”
Answer: This is a radiator cap from a Ford Model T, produced between 1909 and 1927.
Bonus: “I saw this weird cloud while out running.”
Answer: Clouds come in all shapes, but some unusual formations, like roll clouds or lenticular clouds, can create surreal sights.
Curious to see more mysterious finds that internet sleuths have solved?
Our list dives into fascinating discoveries that left people puzzled—until the online community stepped in to unravel the mystery. Dive deeper and see how everyday objects can reveal surprising secrets!
