With all the problems in modern life, it’s simple to forget the clever inventions that made life easier in the past. From strange things found at yard sales to mysterious things found in attics and basements, each one gives us a different look into the lives of our ancestors. Here are 10 interesting facts that made people think until they found out the answers.
At first, the colourful slats on a wooden box didn’t make sense. But it turned out to be a Montessori toy meant to teach kids about colours and matches. This toy, which is still used, shows how powerful new designs can be over time.
Someone in Montreal, Canada, found an old artillery round that had not been fired and had been lying around for a while. Thank goodness people on Reddit saw the danger and called the bomb squad to safely get rid of the bomb.
Reddit users had different ideas about what a tiny metal spoon was used for. Some thought it was for cleaning out ear wax, while others thought it might be for scraping under fingernails. This spoon could be used for many things, which made it a useful tool to have around.
A strange brick building was found in Ireland, and people aren’t sure what it was used for. What it turned out to be was a water refill stop for trains, which are common along railway tracks.
A lot of hotel guests are curious about the strong zippers on pillows. These zippers are actually made to keep bed bugs out of blankets and cushions so they can’t lay eggs there.
When a grandmother’s strange metal item was found in the basement, people thought it might be a torture device. It was actually a tool for milking cows that was used to speed up and simplify the process.
An egg cutter, which looked like a tool for torturing, was actually a cooking tool used to break eggshells cleanly. You could enjoy soft-boiled eggs without making a mess with this useful tool.
A strange thing that looked like a pendulum or spinning top was actually a plumb bob, which is a tool for accurately measuring lengths.
Most of the time, bricks that look like they were not put properly in walls or foundations are there for a good reason. Because these bricks are made to be drainage spouts, they let water escape from roofs or inside buildings.
A small pin that can be worn on a shirt and also holds a match is an interesting piece of history. In the old days when matches were needed every day, this clever design made it easy to always have a match on hand.
These strange things give us a look into the lives of our ancestors and show how smart and creative they were. We become more grateful for the people who lived before us and the creative ways they made everyday life easier as we continue to find and discover these forgotten things.
