When we see something that piques our curiosity, we get excited and we become eager to find out what it is. Just like the people on this list, who found mysterious objects and immediately sought the help of internet users to figure out their purpose.
Now I’ve Seen Everything picked out 20 items that are not familiar to everyone, but actually have really interesting or practical uses.
1. “Iron cone on either side of a gate located outside a building in England.”
- It’s a snuffer. A visitor to your house would use it to put out their torch. agamemnonIV / reddit
2. “What are these medal things on the corner of these stairs and what is their purpose?”
- Corner dust guards. They make it easier to sweep dust out of the corners. jackrats / reddit
- It looks like the mold for green sand casting, an iron grate. midrandom / reddit
4. “Expanding metal ring with ornate cap and handles.”
- It’s the opening to a vintage purse. Fabric would be sewn around the opening like a bag. LaaSirena / reddit
5. “A small bakelite toilet container with a spoon.”
- It’s a novelty mustard pot. Foundation_Wrong / reddit
- 7. “Thin decorated metal plate, 7 inches long”
- From the catch tray for a Keurig coffee maker. x420xCasper / reddit
8. “What is this chrome thing near the toilet and the TP holder?”
- Looks like a holder for magazines. “Literature” is an important bathroom supplies category — or at least used to be before smartphones, I guess. EspritFort / reddit
- It was a scale house for the mine, given that it is on mine property and it (most likely) required equipment to build. RiptideJane / reddit
10. “This industrial vent thing in the middle of a park.”
- 18-million-gallon underground reservoir. “The underground reservoir is being built by the Mesa Consolidated Water District on about six acres of land on the old Lindbergh school site. The reservoir will be topped by a cement cover. The grassy field will be installed above the cover and will probably serve as a soccer field.” Cr3X1eUZ / reddit
- Looks like a bit for cutting a large circle, brace and bit era. JasonStrode / reddit
12. “Found in our 1955 camp. All sheet metal, can be wall mounted. Only legible embossed markings just say patent pending.”
- A wall mount and reflector for an oil lamp. George__Hale / reddit
- It’s a casket plaque that was likely made in the cutlery mill that used to be on the property of a woman in my town named Katherine Healy! We’re not sure the specifics on why it was scratched out, but it was probably due to a defect in the plaque, and it was discarded. christopherwaverly / reddit
14. “What is this glass section from? Found on a beach.”
- It’s a vacuum ejector out of glass. Used one in chemistry class. Water flowing will create a depression. Rings are for the rubber pipe to fit better. atsju / reddit
- Wild guess, but I could see this being used as a bottle opener. The wear marks on the metal support the idea. WittySmoke / reddit
16. “What is this box used for? Seems to have a specific function with the slots on the side. Found at a swap meet.”
- Looks like a magazine holder. jackrats / reddit
17. “This wooden platform at the top of a mountain — like a ramp to nowhere — about 16 feet square.”
- It’s a hang glider launch. They only need a small launch platform. Us paragliding guys like a bit more space. Our wings are not inflated until we get a little wind into them. We need a bit more space to get going. _Piratical_ / reddit
- It looks like a finial, likely nailed to a wooden part through the holes. The larger part turns because it was made as a separate piece. The nails are in the upper part, so it doesn’t spin and that will hold the lower piece in place. 510Goodhands / reddit