15+ Items That Had the Internet Anxiously Searching for Clues

Ever stumbled upon an object that left you scratching your head in confusion? We’ve all been there! Our inquisitive nature just won’t let us rest until we’ve uncovered its true purpose. But gone are the days when we had to trek to the library or beg an expert for answers. Thanks to the power of the internet, we’ve got a whole army of online detectives at our fingertips! And boy, have they uncovered some wild secrets about mysterious objects.

1. “It’s rubber or silicone, the size of a fingertip; it doesn’t erase; it’s about as hard as a bouncy ball but doesn’t bounce like a bouncy ball. Doesn’t light up. What is it?”

Answer: It’s “an 80’s light bulb eraser without the metal bottom editing to add they never really erased anything”

2. “What are these metal things on the corners of these stairs and their purpose?”

Answer: These are corner dust guards. They make it easier to sweep dust out of the corners.

3. “What is this thing? A small gold pig container with a removable tiny spoon for a tail”

Answer: It’s a salt cellar.

4. “What’s happening here?”

Answer: “Evaluation trial trenching” is done to make sure there are no important archaeological artefacts that might be destroyed by excavation.

5. “Why does this Stop sign look different?”

Answer: These are blinders, typically used so the sign can be read from a narrow angle. They’re also called directional shields. You’ll see them on traffic lights a lot more often.

6. “Plastic-like, circular object made of ‘cells.’ It can be found on several beaches, in Sardinia (Italy).”

Answer: This is biofilm used to treat waste water.

7. “I now own these neon rainbow acrylic mystery sticks. Anyone know what I bought?”

Answer: These are multi-color acrylic Mahjong pushers.

8. “I found this when cleaning my parents basement. It’s made out of wood and the paint is heavily chipped.”

Answer: It’s a phone stand. The vertical cavity is for your city phone book or books. The top is a handle for moving it about.

9. “What is this toilet’s purpose?”

Answer: This is a 1950s Standard “Sanistand” urinal for women.

10. “This fancy hotel has a shallow tub with 2 sides.”

Answer: You’re supposed to keep your feet in the warm water first and then quickly put them in the cold water (repeat a few times). This is supposed to help with circulation. These tubs are usually used in spas and other wellness or health-related facilities.

11. “This thing is in the middle of the wall in my 1906 house.”

Answer: It’s a capped off gas line from when they used gas lighting.

12. “This metal covering on the floor inside our new house, screwed to the ground.”

Answer: This is a built-in floor outlet.

13. “This pumpkin thing opens on a hinge, there is a latch inside with a small glass jar.”

Answer: It is a vinaigrette, a piece of jewelry containing smelling salts or perfume that women hung from a chatelaine chain in Victorian times.

14. “I found this weird thing in a junk drawer.”

Answer: The classic Sunbeam Mixmaster had a juicer attachment which looked like a bowl attached to the top of the mixer. This is the spout from which the juice pours out. The wire part had a small sieve to filter the pulp.

15. “What is this ice phenomenon I found on the forest floor today?”

Answer: The term for it is “frost flower” and has to do with moisture freezing as it escapes plant tissue.

16. “What is this tall piece of plastic with a metal base that collapses into it?”

Answer: This is a clarinet (or similar instrument) stand.

17. “This strange object from Tiffany’s mysteriously given to my wife by her grandmother while refusing to say what it was.”

Answer: This thing is for stirring drinks.

18. “I found this while cleaning out the attic. It’s wood, looks handmade, measures 8 inches, but I have no idea what it is or what it does.”

Answer: It’s a Yacouba Double Spoon — a symbol of hospitality in traditional African art. It represents 2 very distinct universes that are opposite.

19. “White plastic object with squares and rectangles; it’s light and has nothing written on it.”

Answer: It’s a battery holder for the original battery in the Mercedes Benz W168. Source: I had that car (also English user manual page: 295)

20. “A small metal object that fits in the palm of my hand. The gold-colored part slides up and down but can be locked in place with the adjuster screw.”

Answer: It looks like this fountain pen holder for an embosser.

21. “Small metal bowl with 4 legs and threaded lip”

Answer: “Radiator cap for Ford Model T 1909 to 1927.”

Bonus: “I saw this weird cloud while running.”

Looking for a wilder ride filled with mysterious objects and online sleuths? Then you won’t want to miss this article! We’ve compiled 15 of the most bizarre discoveries that left people scratching their heads — until the internet detectives swooped in to save the day.