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?”

© vairpods / Reddit

AnswerIt’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?”

© LocalSalesRep / Reddit

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”

© merlee13 / Reddit

Answer: It’s a salt cellar.

4. “What’s happening here?”

© putonurseatbeltz / Reddit

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?”

© iatethecookies / Reddit

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).”

© nicolasap / Reddit

Answer: This is biofilm used to treat waste water.

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

© flingo2014 / Reddit

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.”

© Mimosa****** / Reddit / Reddit

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?”

© ReinaSparks / Reddit

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

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

© kjax016 / Reddit

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.”

© theMstates / Reddit

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.”

© holographic********* / Reddit

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.”

© willywillwilfred / Reddit

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.”

© Skusci / Reddit

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?”

© jadbronson / Reddit

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?”

© LifeIsAnAbsurdity / Reddit

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.”

© zsaleeba / Reddit

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.”

© daeris_cos / Reddit

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.”

© Hero_2_0 / Reddit

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.”

© AnneKakes / Reddit

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

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

© spinning_vinyl / Reddit

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

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

© JVillan / Reddit

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.

Frank Fritz, “American Pickers” star, dead at 60 — rest in peace

Fans are devastated at the news that Frank Fritz, the antiques expert who gained fame on the reality series American Pickers, has died at 60.

Fritz, who left the series in 2021, had been suffering from health problems and was hospitalized from a stroke two years ago.

The news was announced by Fritz’s friend and co-star Mike Wolfe, who said that Fritz passed away last night.

“I’ve know Frank for more [than] half my life and what you’ve seen on TV has always been what I have seen, a dreamer who was just as sensitive as he was funny,” Wolfe wrote in a social media tribute. “The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself.”

Fritz and Wolfe gained fame as the hosts of the reality TV series American Pickers, which premiered on the History Channel in 2010. The series showed the two “pickers” traveling across the USA, searching for valuable antiques and collectibles in unexpected places.

“American pickers” Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz attend the grand opening of the History Pop Shop at History Pop Shop on December 6, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic)

“We’re looking for amazing things buried in people’s garages and barns,” the show’s opening narration explains. “What most people see as junk, we see as dollar signs. We’ll buy anything we think we can make a buck on.”

“We make a living telling the history of America… one piece at a time.”

The series attracted millions of viewers, becoming one of History Channel’s most popular programs. In its debut year it was the #1 non-fiction series among total viewers and adults 25-54.

While the antiques were often interesting, there’s no doubt it was the chemistry and charisma of the two hosts that kept viewers coming back for more.

Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

In 2021, it was announced that Fritz would be leaving American Pickers after a decade on the hit series. Fritz said the decision was not his own, and that he was pushed out by the network after a back surgery.

“I didn’t leave the show,” he told The Sun at the time. “I finished shooting and then I had a little back surgery and the pandemic came.”

He also suggested that his co-host’s ego was a factor, saying the show had “tilted towards him 1,000 percent.” “I haven’t talked to Mike in two years,” Fritz said. “He knew my back was messed up, but he didn’t call me up and ask how I was doing. That’s just how it is.”

NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 30: Frank Fritz (L) and Mike Wolfe attend A+E Network’s 2015 Upfront at Park Avenue Armory on April 30, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

In July 2022, Fritz was hospitalized from a stroke. In 2023, he had a tearful reunion with Mike Wolfe, and the two resolved their purported feud. However, Fritz declined an offer to rejoin American Pickers, deciding to focus on his health.

It’s clear that the two former co-hosts have remained friendly since then, and it seems Wolfe was by his side til the end.

“We’ve been on countless trips and shared so many miles and I feel blessed that I was there by his side when he took one last journey home,” Wolfe wrote on Instagram. “I love you buddy and will miss you so much I know [you’re] in a better place.”

American Pickers remains a staple of the History Channel lineup. Fritz has never officially been replaced as co-host, though series regulars like Danielle Colby, Mike Wolfe’s brother Robbie, and friend and antiques expert “Jersey Jon” Szalay will rotate accompanying Wolfe on his antiquing trips.

Colby also shared her own tribute to Fritz on social media. “Frank, I will miss your ability to make everyone laugh, your love for talking tattoos, your epic collections but what I will miss the most are those little glimpses of vulnerability from time to time,” she wrote.

“Frank, you loved your cat and your momma and we bonded on those things. You will be missed for all of these reasons and so many more.
Rest in Peace Road Dog.”

Rest in peace to the iconic reality TV star Frank Fritz 😢🙏 Please share this story in his memory.

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