True crime makes for compelling watching, but it involves mysteries that the average person probably doesn't want to be mixed up in. But there are smaller, everyday mysteries that are an absolute delight to investigate.
For instance, let's say you found something weird and need to figure out what it is. Where would you start? Well, if you're anyone who knows anything about the internet, you already know the answer: ask people on the r/whatisthisthing subreddit.
I was hoping it would be some sort of magic wand device used exclusively by teachers, but it's actually just the stylus from a newer model Motorola phone.
This is most likely the benchmark for a geologic survey — essentially a way for surveyors to keep their measurements accurate.
The answer here is pretty interesting: it's the propeller for a 688 class attack submarine. I don't buy it, though. I'm pretty sure this is a straight-up UFO on its way to some dark site.
This looks like a doctor's scale, and that's exactly what it is. Why do they have a scale in their living room? For whatever reason, it was a popular stylistic choice at the time.
These are the markers that city planners put in sidewalks to indicate the spaces where business owners are allowed to set up tables and displays.
Back in the days before toilet paper always came on rolls, this is what a TP dispenser looked like. The spoon thing is a weight to hold a stack of tissues down.
This is most definitely related to typesetting, as it's a drafting pen. The size of the line can be adjusted by changing the size of the gap in the pen.
This is one of those highly-specific objects intended for one product. That product is a proxabrush, a brush used similarly to dental floss, and the object in the photo is a proxabrush cover.
This is a clump of the flame retardant powder that gets sprayed over forest fires.
This isn't an antenna-like thing, it's an antenna, full stop. It's a fairly specialized antenna, though — not for TV or internet reception, but for ham radio operation.
If it's a small chunk of metal and it's embedded in wood, it's probably a bullet or a slug. That's the case here.
My go-to answer for things like this is generally either "snuff box" or "drug paraphernalia," but this is neither of those things. It's a "pinch pot" for when you just need a pinch of salt or pepper.
This is a common feature on hammers that are commonly used by people doing home renovations. The extra piece is to help straighten out 2x4s while doing framing work.
This is only part of a two-piece tray table. The missing tray part has pegs that fit into the holes here, allowing it to sit solidly while still being removable.
Car mechanics and car strippers will immediately know that this is the inside part of a car's catalytic converter.
The 'outlet' part is clearly a dummy as it doesn't connect to anything inside. The most likely answer here is that this is an older motion sensor.
This is a handy little feature that really ought to be outside every single door. It's a boot scraper. Its purpose is...being there for you while you scrape the crud off of your boots.
We can say with certainty that this is made from a whale's rib bone — this is made clear by the marrow that's visible inside. Its purpose, though? Probably a ceremonial dagger or something.
It definitely looks religious in nature, but it's actually an antique pickle jar stand. Apparently if the sun refracts through the glass, it can start fires, so that's neat.
It looks like it came from a mad scientist's lab, and its name — mercury arc rectifier — just makes it seem more mad scientist-y. Its purpose is banal, though — it converts alternating current into direct current.
