12 Hidden Purposes of Everyday Objects That Can Finally Cease Your Wondering

Although we use dozens of different items and products on a daily basis, most of us hardly ever dwell on them. Plus, we’re so used to certain designs that we almost never question why they’re created that way. But you’ve probably noticed quite a few intriguing details on objects whose purposes have always been a mystery.

To satisfy your curiosity, we at Bright Side did some research to help you unlock the full potential of these everyday items.

1. McDonald’s French fry boxes have a hidden catchup holder.

Sometimes genius designs are hiding in plain sight, but we tend to overlook them, especially when we’re hungry. If you take a second look, you’ll notice that the bendable flap on the French fry box can be turned into a ketchup holder. Just press and fold it outward and use it as a plate for the sauce of your choice.

2. The embossed notch helps indicate the placement of a bottle sticker.

If you have an eye for detail, you’ve probably noticed that strange-looking notch on the bottoms of plastic bottles. But we bet you don’t know that this thing actually has a name and a very specific purpose.

It’s called a deco lug and is used to help navigate the placement of artwork on the bottle. Without this tiny feature, stickers on the bottles would not look as symmetrical and pretty as they do. The deco lug ensures that every sticker is printed and placed exactly the same on all mass-produced plastic bottles.

3. The V-shape stitch is designed to collect sweat.

At first glance, it looks like the V-shape stitch on T-shirts and sweatshirts is only used for decoration, but, in fact, it has a special role.

In 1930, when the manufacturing of these sports sweaters had just begun, this triangle had 2 purposes: to make the hole more stretchy and to absorb sweat. Since modern-day sportswear is made of lighter fabrics, there’s no need to use this kind of stitching anymore. Plus, many sportswear companies are trying to cut production costs, so that’s another reason why we may come across this kind of stitch less and less.

4. The mustard bottle cap can be locked in place.

Some mustard manufacturers show that they really care for their customers by adding super practical features to their containers. This Frenchie’s mustard bottle has a ’’secret’’ hinge with a small nub that can be used to hold the cap in place so that it doesn’t catch any of the mustard while squeezing it out. Simply open the cap and push it back until it hits the nub and is safely blocked.

5. Baby onesies hide a super-practical feature.

If you have ever wondered what those odd-looking folds on the shoulders of baby onesies are for, prepare to have your mind blown. Although they may seem like a strange little fashion detail, their purpose is much more practical. The folds make it possible to slide the onesie over the baby’s legs instead of over the head, giving you and the baby the chance to get out of a messy situation without creating an extra mess.

6. Tiny plastic details on smartphones act as an antenna.

There’s hardly an item we use more nowadays than the smartphone. Despite using it for hours on end each day, most of us don’t know all of its hidden features. The same goes for those mysterious little lines on the sides of your smartphone. No matter how insignificant this may appear, it surely is one of the most important details of the whole device.

These lines act like an antenna that enables you to receive radio wave signals. Most smartphones are made of metal, which is a material that prevents radio waves from passing through. For this reason, a small piece of plastic is necessary to enable your device to work properly.

7. Backpacks can truly be life-savers.

When buying a backpack, we tend to focus on its size and color, but we don’t notice other special features that sometimes come with it. Most backpacks designed for outdoor adventures often hide a special, life-saving feature: a whistle. You’ll usually see them as an extension of the plastic buckles at the ends of the straps. Although not all backpacks come with this amazing little detail, you’ll find them on most modern hiking backpacks.

8. The design on Toblerone chocolate bars hides a secret.

Because it comes from Switzerland, many people assume that the iconic triangular shape of the Toblerone chocolate bar is inspired by the Swiss Alps. But, in fact, Toblerone’s design is not so much about aesthetics as it is about function. The bar is designed in such a way that if you press on one of the triangles with your thumb, it will break easily into a perfect bite-size portion.

9. Black mesh on the microwave protects us from harmful radiation.

Some of us may think that the black mesh on the microwave oven door is there just to prevent us from enjoying the view of our food being heated up. Actually, this little trick plays a very important role when it comes to safety. Without it, we would be exposed to the harmful influence of microwaves. The black mesh is usually made of steel or another kind of metal that reflects the radiation back and keeps it safely inside the oven so that it can’t get through the glass.

10. Notebook margins were originally designed for protection.

Strangely, the original purpose of margins on notebook paper wasn’t to leave space for note-taking or to serve as a guide for how many sentences you could fit onto one page. Margins were invented to protect the text written on paper from rats and mice that used to be common pests in many households. Since they enjoy nibbling on paper, margins kept them from eating away at important work written on the pages.

11. Pom-poms are more than a charming decoration.

Although pompoms might look like nothing more than adorable, fluffy decorations, they actually had a practical function in the past. Sailors used to wear this type of hat so that they wouldn’t hurt their heads on the ceilings of ships during rough weather.

12. A credit card can save the day in the kitchen.

A credit card can be a life-saver in various situations, but some of those don’t necessarily have to include spending money. If you, by any chance, get stuck without a cheese grater or a knife, a credit card can come in handy. As strange as it may sound, the embossed numbers on credit cards can act like a cheese grater. Plus, you can use the side of your card to cut softer foods, like cakes.

What unusual details have you noticed on everyday objects? Share your findings with us in the comments.