10 mysterious objects whose mysteries had to be solved with the help of an online community (17 photos)

Our world is full of wonders. And to stumble upon another miracle, even a small one, all you need to do is visit a flea market or organize a yard cleanup.





Because often, such finds are not just treasure, but also a puzzle. These are unusual objects whose purpose or origin turned out to be so mysterious that identifying them required the help of an entire army of online experts. Ready to see if you could guess what they are on your own?

1. Large plush figure 8, donated to an animal shelter



Orthopedic seat cushion. This densely padded plush cushion perfectly conforms to the curves of the buttocks and hips, providing extra comfort.





2. Rigid plastic tubes, flattened at the edges and secured with rubber bands



Toothpaste dispenser. The tube fits between glass rollers.

3. Metal cannonballs connected by a chain were found buried in a yard.



Chain cannonballs for destroying ship masts.

Chain cannonballs (knippels) were artillery shells from the 17th–19th centuries, consisting of two cannonballs connected by a long chain. Their primary purpose was to destroy the masts, yards, and rigging of wooden sailing ships, thereby disabling the ship. Due to their flexible connection, they were much more effective than rigid knippels. They were sometimes used against infantry as well. The shell's design principle was later even used in the creation of specialized hunting cartridges in the 20th century.



4. Plastic square with holes on the side of the road



Shim for the outrigger of a truck crane.



5. A long, thin, extendable metal pole with rubber bands on both ends, found at home.



Telescopic bicycle handlebar clamp. It helps secure the bike during repairs.



6. A plastic handle about 10 centimeters long with a rope about 1 meter long, given as a Christmas gift.



Ski boot carrying strap.



7. Wooden blocks of different colors strung on a wooden mallet



Daruma Otoshi is a Japanese skill game where a Daruma figurine balances on a tower of colored blocks. The goal is to carefully knock out the blocks one by one with a mallet without letting the character fall. Victory requires precision and patience, not strength.



8. The loop-like "fastener" next to the button on vintage men's wool shorts



The loop through which the buckle tongue is passed to prevent the belt from slipping.

9. A small silver object with a small cushion inside, which opens and closes with a click, was discovered while cleaning out the pantry.



A tool for cleaning CDs and DVDs. However, it's best to clean discs from the center outward, as cross-cut scratches have a much lesser effect on the contents than longitudinal scratches.

10. A wooden box of unusual shape with inlay and a round hole in the top



A cigar box shaped like a vintage coal scuttle.