12 gizmos that are impossible to identify without the help of collective intelligence (20 photos)

We probably all have at least one thing that makes us think, "Oh my God, why am I keeping this? And most importantly, what is this?"





Such obscure and unidentified objects range from junk that belongs in the trash to truly rare vintage pieces. But to understand this, you first need to identify the mysterious artifact from your kitchen drawer or craft basket. And this, of course, can be achieved by the online collective intelligence, which cracks such riddles like sunflower seeds.

1. A silver metal kitchen tool with a spiral shape that can be squeezed like tongs to open...



A tool for carefully and evenly spreading flour and powdered sugar.





2. Doll head with a toy embryo and pump attached to the bottom



"Smoky Sue" is an educational anti-smoking project. A mannequin doll demonstrates how a fetus absorbs smoke and toxins from the mother if she smokes during pregnancy. The toy embryo should be in a jar.



3. Strange wide pipes under the ceiling in the office



A pneumatic tube transport system. You place a small container in one end of the tube, and air pressure forces it out the other. This used to be very common in bank teller machines. It's still used in American hospitals. It's great for sending samples to the lab and picking up medications from the pharmacy.

4. Old metal tool with a wooden handle



An antique vegetable peeler. Can be unfolded and used as a knife or folded into a double-sided peeler.



5. Metal figurine of a cat on a book cover chasing a ball



Paperweight with clip.

6. A noisy electronic device with indicators near the neighbor's door



An electronic insect repellent. Many of these devices produce sounds that only pets, children, and a small percentage of adults can hear.

7. A rectangular box on legs with a hole in the front and images of birds



Part of a table clock. The hole should accommodate the clock face.



8. Wooden cutting board with a round teardrop shape and a magnet



Vintage knife stand with serving recesses. The magnet is designed to hold the knife in place when not in use.

9. A small gilded poodle with a patterned base



Wax seal.

10. A metal face set into a wooden case



A vintage door knocker depicting Jacob Marley, the character from Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol" (the late business partner of Ebenezer Scrooge).



11. Tusk with drilled holes and a picture



Cribbage board. Scoring in this old card game can be done on paper, but traditionally a special board is used. Players use two pegs to keep score: one shows the current score, the other shows the score on the previous turn, so if you make a mistake in counting, you can always go back.



12. Metal tools with two prongs and an ornamental tip



A set of silver cocktail forks with Aztec motifs. Designed for appetizers such as small cubes of cheese, pineapple pieces, olives, desserts, etc.