In the era of instant access to information, the Internet has become a treasure trove of knowledge that allows us to quickly find answers to almost any question. However, there are still times when certain objects or phenomena present a mysterious challenge that requires the collective wisdom and insight of online communities to uncover their secrets. Curated by Now I’ve Seen Everything, these strange artifacts have sparked curiosity and intrigue among users, prompting them to come together to offer explanations and insights into their origins and functions. From odd objects discovered in frozen dinners to strange objects found in abandoned buildings, each mystery presents an opportunity for collaborative investigation and discovery. Thanks to the collective efforts of users sharing their expertise and ideas, these mysterious objects are brought to light, demonstrating the power of online communities in solving real-life puzzles and mysteries.
We’re not sure how they did it back in the day, but in modern times you can look anything up online and find a solution quickly. However, there are times when things turn out to be worse than they seem. Because of this, users supported each other in finding answers to the small (and not-so-small) gems that ended up in their possession.
These strange artifacts were discovered by Now I’ve Seen Everything, who collected them to test your ability to identify what they are and why.
1. “The wall in our new apartment is a dingus. It’s not securely attached and when you take it off the wall you can see it’s connected to a cable. The little round thing in the front is a button.”
“It’s the emergency call button for the nurses in the building,” comes the reply. It is possible that the apartment complex was formerly an assisted living facility.’
2. “Explain it to me. I discovered it in a frozen dinner. It has a brownish hue and is rough, prickly, and sharp.”
Answer: “I’m not sure, but it looks like it could be a pod.”
3. “Among my dad’s things. A curious velvet box with a black thing inside.”
“It’s a pocket hand warmer… and an old one at that,” was the reply. I had a few when I went fishing and camping.
This style has been missing for some time. The middle bar is lit by you. You fold it up and put it in your pocket; it’s coal. To make it work, blow into it.”
4. “I’m not sure what one of the two plugs on this outlet is for! discovered in the master bedroom of a house built in the late 1970s.”
Re: “Old TV antenna.” the kind you can switch between remotely to improve reception.”
5. “Heavy mass hanging on transmission cables”
“This art installation is located at a Brazilian university,” reads the reply. It should be a meteor.”
6. “What are sealed fiber tablets?”
Answer: “They look like the anti-fog inserts for the Go Pro waterproof case.”
7. “Housed in an old leather case, probably medical related. ‘02406CHR’ written on the back of old card case; 12cm long; pliers open when the red top is pulled down.”
Answer: “Old olive tongs.”
8. “My dad has no idea what it is, but he found it today with his metal detector. It’s about 5 x 4 cm.” “What is this thing?”
Answer: “It is part of a belt or bracelet. It would have friends connected by links at each of the four corners.”
9. “Inside a package of sour cream chips, I discovered this blue disc. It says “FERROC 25mm BST, certificate number 213026B”. Pettou 25, EST, Cem 201, 230268.
In response, “That’s a test chip. It goes around the metal detectors to check their functionality.”
But there is a problem with that.
Send X testers and get X testers back. If you receive an X-1 or any other number, you will put the line on hold until you find your chip. The primary purpose of the test is to ensure that material intended to mimic a foreign object fails to pass.
There is usually documentation to support this.
You can be sure there will be chaos on the other end if you write to the outfit and tell them what you discovered.’
10. “It seems scary, but what is it? This note and note was discovered by a friend in a German forest. It looks deadly when burned, but no one has been able to explain what it is or the meaning behind the note.”
Answer: “It’s most likely old dry pine sap, it burns very well, and lots of people use it as kindling, but it’s toxic in closed spaces, hence the warning.”
11. “I discovered this object on the shore. What is it that smells like seaweed and is solid?
Answer: “Codium bursa is a medium-sized green seaweed.”
12. “I work for the Department of Health and I found this; I have no idea what it does.”
In response: “A plate bender… These are used to round or uneven areas of the plate so the plate can sit flush with the bone.”
13. “A strange metal part that comes in a matchbox once in a while”
“It looks like a match holder for keeping matches discreetly,” my grandfather replied when I asked him. So it would work by sticking through your shirt (a pin is comparable to an earring), giving you a match anywhere that you could use whenever you needed it. According to him, if one side fully engages and holds, the other side only partially adheres, making it a longer match. Plus, since the match doubles as a handle, you can use most of them without risking burns.”
14. “I discovered this room in an abandoned building. Could someone please explain the purpose of this building and the objects hanging from the ceiling?”
In reply: “It’s a changing room for miners.” Their work clothes are picked up and out of the way on hooks and baskets for the next shift.”
15. “I volunteer at a thrift store and have donated several rolls of this. It feels a bit waxy and lacks stickiness.”
“They are anti-thorn strips that are designed to be installed in bicycle tires, between the tube and the inside of the tire casing,” is the answer.
In theory, they do an acceptable job of preventing puncture of the tube.”
16. “This was given to a friend by his great-great-grandfather. It is believed to be roughly 2,000 years old and from Persia.”
“Is it a hairpin or clips/brooch,” is the reply.
If the item is over 2,000 years old, you should see an expert at a museum or archaeological institute so they can assess it and then insure it.”
17. “Some kind of goose dish (cats on a scale)”
Answer: “I lean towards the sink, which explains why it’s so shallow, but wide and decorative.”
18. “Does anyone know what kind of metal this is? (May be related to the photo.)”
Answer: “Probably a razor sharpener.”
19. “What’s a hammer drill?”
In reply, “It is a glass instrument.”
20. “The metal lifted up strangely. About 3 to 4 inches long, embedded in the concrete in front of the bar.
I’m not sure what this is supposed to symbolize.
In today’s age of instant access to information, it is easy to find answers to most questions online. However, there are still cases where identifying certain objects can be a problem. In these situations, online communities often come together to pool their knowledge and solve the mystery. The collection of strange artifacts presented by Now I’ve Seen Everything sparked curiosity among users, leading to a concerted effort to decipher their origins and purpose. From odd objects found in frozen dinners to mysterious metal objects discovered in the woods, each piece sparked a fascinating journey of discovery and deduction. By sharing their insights and expertise, users not only unraveled the mysteries behind these objects but also fostered a sense of camaraderie and shared exploration. Through their collective efforts, they shed light on a mystery and showed the power of community collaboration in solving real-life puzzles.