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“What Is This Thing?”: 48 Times People Stumbled Upon Mysterious Objects
Is it a bird? Is it a plane?! Unfortunately, it most likely won’t be Superman. And, chances are, it’s not the Twister either. But it is something peculiar. It’s an unknown object (not from space, though!) that needs some help from the Internet to identify it.
Luckily, there is a subreddit for that. The What Is This Thing community is fortunately still going strong with more than 2.7 million members! It’s a place where you can post a picture of an item that you can’t for the life of you figure out what it is or where it came from. The Internet will most likely come to your aid, and the subreddit’s detectives will tell you what your strange object is.
This time, we’ve compiled a new selection of the best entries from the community for you to enjoy. So scroll away and let us know your favorites by upvoting them!
Bored Panda reached out to Celia Quillian, an AI expert who previously lent her expertise to TIME magazine and the Today Show. We wanted to know whether the current AI technology could make the subreddit's job easier. She told us more about how AI models recognize objects in pictures, what challenges we might run into, and what the future of AI image recognition technology is. Read our interview with her below!
More info: What Is This Thing? | Celia Quillian on Instagram | Celia Quillian on TikTok
Click here & follow us for more lists, facts, and stories.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
What Is This Object I Found On A Beach In Yorkshire That Has Holes In And Feels Like A Mix Between Stone And Plastic
A Victorian toothbrush. The handle is made of animal bone and the holes are where the bristles (normally pig or horse hair) would go. Bristle toothbrushes like this were invented in China in the 1400s, but contrary to all that seems good and sane in this world, most Europeans weren't all that into toothbrushes until the late 1700s/early 1800s. Source: am archaeologist.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane?! Unfortunately, it most likely won’t be Superman. And, chances are, it’s not the Twister either. But it is something peculiar. It’s an unknown object (not from space, though!) that needs some help from the Internet to identify it.
Luckily, there is a subreddit for that. The What Is This Thing community is fortunately still going strong with more than 2.7 million members! It’s a place where you can post a picture of an item that you can’t for the life of you figure out what it is or where it came from. The Internet will most likely come to your aid, and the subreddit’s detectives will tell you what your strange object is.
This time, we’ve compiled a new selection of the best entries from the community for you to enjoy. So scroll away and let us know your favorites by upvoting them!
Bored Panda reached out to Celia Quillian, an AI expert who previously lent her expertise to TIME magazine and the Today Show. We wanted to know whether the current AI technology could make the subreddit's job easier. She told us more about how AI models recognize objects in pictures, what challenges we might run into, and what the future of AI image recognition technology is. Read our interview with her below!
More info: What Is This Thing? | Celia Quillian on Instagram | Celia Quillian on TikTok
Click here & follow us for more lists, facts, and stories.
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#2
A Silver Spoon With "Top" Part?
Vintage Christofle Orfevre a Paris Silver Plated Medicine/Invalid Feeder Spoon.
#3
Patches Of Sand Floating On Top Of Water Near Shoreline, Each Patch Around 4-10cm In Diameter
It's dry sand floating on the water tension, been picked up by the raising tide. Only happens when it's hot enough to dry the sand and absolutely flat calm.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane?! Unfortunately, it most likely won’t be Superman. And, chances are, it’s not the Twister either. But it is something peculiar. It’s an unknown object (not from space, though!) that needs some help from the Internet to identify it.
Luckily, there is a subreddit for that. The What Is This Thing community is fortunately still going strong with more than 2.7 million members! It’s a place where you can post a picture of an item that you can’t for the life of you figure out what it is or where it came from. The Internet will most likely come to your aid, and the subreddit’s detectives will tell you what your strange object is.
This time, we’ve compiled a new selection of the best entries from the community for you to enjoy. So scroll away and let us know your favorites by upvoting them!
Bored Panda reached out to Celia Quillian, an AI expert who previously lent her expertise to TIME magazine and the Today Show. We wanted to know whether the current AI technology could make the subreddit's job easier. She told us more about how AI models recognize objects in pictures, what challenges we might run into, and what the future of AI image recognition technology is. Read our interview with her below!
More info: What Is This Thing? | Celia Quillian on Instagram | Celia Quillian on TikTok
Click here & follow us for more lists, facts, and stories.
#4
This Is About 3ft Talk Made Of Solid Wood. It Doesn't Weigh Much Though, Maybe 5 Or 10 Lbs. The Arm Hanging Down Swings And The Top Is Just A Handle. It Does Not Move
A boot puller, otherwise known as a boot jack. Heel in the u shaped groove, other foot on the back of that to stabilise it all, swingy bit on the top of the foot, hold the hand grips and lever the boot off the heel by lifting your booted leg up and out.
#6
Bought A House With This Glass Structure In The Backyard, No Idea What It's Supposed To Be
It’s to grow mushrooms. Called a fruiting house. It looks like there is even substrate there that you use in growing mushrooms.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane?! Unfortunately, it most likely won’t be Superman. And, chances are, it’s not the Twister either. But it is something peculiar. It’s an unknown object (not from space, though!) that needs some help from the Internet to identify it.
Luckily, there is a subreddit for that. The What Is This Thing community is fortunately still going strong with more than 2.7 million members! It’s a place where you can post a picture of an item that you can’t for the life of you figure out what it is or where it came from. The Internet will most likely come to your aid, and the subreddit’s detectives will tell you what your strange object is.
This time, we’ve compiled a new selection of the best entries from the community for you to enjoy. So scroll away and let us know your favorites by upvoting them!
Bored Panda reached out to Celia Quillian, an AI expert who previously lent her expertise to TIME magazine and the Today Show. We wanted to know whether the current AI technology could make the subreddit's job easier. She told us more about how AI models recognize objects in pictures, what challenges we might run into, and what the future of AI image recognition technology is. Read our interview with her below!
More info: What Is This Thing? | Celia Quillian on Instagram | Celia Quillian on TikTok
Click here & follow us for more lists, facts, and stories.
#7
Promo Item I Received For Free At A Christmas Fair. It Is The Size Of My Hand, The White Top Screws On And Off And The Red Bag Part Expands And Is Pretty Thick
A mini refillable hot/cold pack for headaches or injuries.
#8
Solid Feeling Balls That Chyme/Jingle At A Low Tone When You Shake Them
Baoding balls. They’re for stress and concentration. You're supposed to put them both in the palm of your hand and rotate them around each other in a circle.
#9
Small Ceramic Bowl With Three Small Cones Like Things In The Middle
It is an Ikebana Vase. It is for Japanese style flower arrangements. The flowers go in the tubes and the rest is also filled with water, usually smooth stones, or maybe a small turtle or frog sculpture.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane?! Unfortunately, it most likely won’t be Superman. And, chances are, it’s not the Twister either. But it is something peculiar. It’s an unknown object (not from space, though!) that needs some help from the Internet to identify it.
Luckily, there is a subreddit for that. The What Is This Thing community is fortunately still going strong with more than 2.7 million members! It’s a place where you can post a picture of an item that you can’t for the life of you figure out what it is or where it came from. The Internet will most likely come to your aid, and the subreddit’s detectives will tell you what your strange object is.
This time, we’ve compiled a new selection of the best entries from the community for you to enjoy. So scroll away and let us know your favorites by upvoting them!
Bored Panda reached out to Celia Quillian, an AI expert who previously lent her expertise to TIME magazine and the Today Show. We wanted to know whether the current AI technology could make the subreddit's job easier. She told us more about how AI models recognize objects in pictures, what challenges we might run into, and what the future of AI image recognition technology is. Read our interview with her below!
More info: What Is This Thing? | Celia Quillian on Instagram | Celia Quillian on TikTok
Click here & follow us for more lists, facts, and stories.
#10
Yellowish Powder (?) On The Inside Of Swimming Suit
The elastic in the fabric disintegrating.
#11
Large Metal Tube With Narrowed Front End, Transported With Police [working woman], On An Extended Flatbed Trailer
A spindle that Boeing weaves the carbon fiber fuselage for the Dreamliner on.
#12
What Is This Cubby Above The Built In Stove. There Is No Access To Open It From Any Angle
Sheet pan rack
Is it a bird? Is it a plane?! Unfortunately, it most likely won’t be Superman. And, chances are, it’s not the Twister either. But it is something peculiar. It’s an unknown object (not from space, though!) that needs some help from the Internet to identify it.
Luckily, there is a subreddit for that. The What Is This Thing community is fortunately still going strong with more than 2.7 million members! It’s a place where you can post a picture of an item that you can’t for the life of you figure out what it is or where it came from. The Internet will most likely come to your aid, and the subreddit’s detectives will tell you what your strange object is.
This time, we’ve compiled a new selection of the best entries from the community for you to enjoy. So scroll away and let us know your favorites by upvoting them!
Bored Panda reached out to Celia Quillian, an AI expert who previously lent her expertise to TIME magazine and the Today Show. We wanted to know whether the current AI technology could make the subreddit's job easier. She told us more about how AI models recognize objects in pictures, what challenges we might run into, and what the future of AI image recognition technology is. Read our interview with her below!
More info: What Is This Thing? | Celia Quillian on Instagram | Celia Quillian on TikTok
Click here & follow us for more lists, facts, and stories.
#13
What Is This Gold Rotating Thing? It’s About 5-7cm In Length And Has What Seems Like Drawings On Each Side?
A letter seal.
#14
Slices Of Rubber Held Together By Metal Brackets, About 10 Pounds. It Hit My Windshield Going 80mph Down The Interstate. Luckily The Windshield Did Its Job And No One Was Injured!
A wheel chock.
#15
Found In My Backyard. It Is Chalky And Will Rub Off If You Run Your Finger On It. Because Of My Dogs, Really Just Want To Make Sure It’s Not Some Kind Of Poison. Thanks!
The clay plug from the bottom of a fireworks tube.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane?! Unfortunately, it most likely won’t be Superman. And, chances are, it’s not the Twister either. But it is something peculiar. It’s an unknown object (not from space, though!) that needs some help from the Internet to identify it.
Luckily, there is a subreddit for that. The What Is This Thing community is fortunately still going strong with more than 2.7 million members! It’s a place where you can post a picture of an item that you can’t for the life of you figure out what it is or where it came from. The Internet will most likely come to your aid, and the subreddit’s detectives will tell you what your strange object is.
This time, we’ve compiled a new selection of the best entries from the community for you to enjoy. So scroll away and let us know your favorites by upvoting them!
Bored Panda reached out to Celia Quillian, an AI expert who previously lent her expertise to TIME magazine and the Today Show. We wanted to know whether the current AI technology could make the subreddit's job easier. She told us more about how AI models recognize objects in pictures, what challenges we might run into, and what the future of AI image recognition technology is. Read our interview with her below!
More info: What Is This Thing? | Celia Quillian on Instagram | Celia Quillian on TikTok
Click here & follow us for more lists, facts, and stories.
#16
What Are These Smaller Doors Inside Our Hotel Bathroom Door?
While many are saying “Dutch” door this is actually called “wicket”. A Dutch door has a separate top and bottom half that open together or independently. A wicket is a door (or two in this case) inside of a door. They are used mainly in psych wards as a way to get into a room that may be barricaded.
#17
What Is This Strange Pocket Watch With A Lever And Odd Face?
It's a pocket roulette wheel, modeled to look like a pocket watch for easy concealment but with a rotating dial instead of an indicator hand. It has 12 parts instead of the typical number to look like a broken pocket watch upon inspection. Most likely this one was crafted out of a pocket watch as some of the original frame is visible around the dial/wheel/face.
#18
What Is This Tube That This Coast Guard Guy Sticks His Gun Into While Loading It?
In the army we called it a "clearing station". If you were to have an unintentional discharge while clearing the weapon, that chamber would stop the bullet
Is it a bird? Is it a plane?! Unfortunately, it most likely won’t be Superman. And, chances are, it’s not the Twister either. But it is something peculiar. It’s an unknown object (not from space, though!) that needs some help from the Internet to identify it.
Luckily, there is a subreddit for that. The What Is This Thing community is fortunately still going strong with more than 2.7 million members! It’s a place where you can post a picture of an item that you can’t for the life of you figure out what it is or where it came from. The Internet will most likely come to your aid, and the subreddit’s detectives will tell you what your strange object is.
This time, we’ve compiled a new selection of the best entries from the community for you to enjoy. So scroll away and let us know your favorites by upvoting them!
Bored Panda reached out to Celia Quillian, an AI expert who previously lent her expertise to TIME magazine and the Today Show. We wanted to know whether the current AI technology could make the subreddit's job easier. She told us more about how AI models recognize objects in pictures, what challenges we might run into, and what the future of AI image recognition technology is. Read our interview with her below!
More info: What Is This Thing? | Celia Quillian on Instagram | Celia Quillian on TikTok
Click here & follow us for more lists, facts, and stories.
#19
Pellets With A Powdery Substance Coating Them, Found On The Floor Of A Garage That Had Not Been Opened For A Few Months, Each Pellet A Bit Larger Than A Tater Tot
Wood stove pellets that got wet.
#20
What Is This Pot With Tubes And A Suction System? Left In My Friends New Apartment From Old Tenants
A milking machine for goats and/or cows.
#21
What Are These Small Bowls With Holes In The Bottom? I Have No Idea What To Do With Them
Pots for succulents.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane?! Unfortunately, it most likely won’t be Superman. And, chances are, it’s not the Twister either. But it is something peculiar. It’s an unknown object (not from space, though!) that needs some help from the Internet to identify it.
Luckily, there is a subreddit for that. The What Is This Thing community is fortunately still going strong with more than 2.7 million members! It’s a place where you can post a picture of an item that you can’t for the life of you figure out what it is or where it came from. The Internet will most likely come to your aid, and the subreddit’s detectives will tell you what your strange object is.
This time, we’ve compiled a new selection of the best entries from the community for you to enjoy. So scroll away and let us know your favorites by upvoting them!
Bored Panda reached out to Celia Quillian, an AI expert who previously lent her expertise to TIME magazine and the Today Show. We wanted to know whether the current AI technology could make the subreddit's job easier. She told us more about how AI models recognize objects in pictures, what challenges we might run into, and what the future of AI image recognition technology is. Read our interview with her below!
More info: What Is This Thing? | Celia Quillian on Instagram | Celia Quillian on TikTok
Click here & follow us for more lists, facts, and stories.
#22
Round Brown Things With Holes In Them Lining A Small Waterway In St. Pete, Fl
They are artificial reef balls. They are there to create a "living shoreline" to prevent erosion.
#23
Small Fragrant Cubiod From Morocco, Bought Thinking It Was Soap
Moroccan solid resin perfume bar. It’s made of resin and wax.
#24
Set Of 9 Wooden Balls. 4 Black, 4 Brown, And One Smaller Brown Ball. More Details In Comment
Bocce balls
Is it a bird? Is it a plane?! Unfortunately, it most likely won’t be Superman. And, chances are, it’s not the Twister either. But it is something peculiar. It’s an unknown object (not from space, though!) that needs some help from the Internet to identify it.
Luckily, there is a subreddit for that. The What Is This Thing community is fortunately still going strong with more than 2.7 million members! It’s a place where you can post a picture of an item that you can’t for the life of you figure out what it is or where it came from. The Internet will most likely come to your aid, and the subreddit’s detectives will tell you what your strange object is.
This time, we’ve compiled a new selection of the best entries from the community for you to enjoy. So scroll away and let us know your favorites by upvoting them!
Bored Panda reached out to Celia Quillian, an AI expert who previously lent her expertise to TIME magazine and the Today Show. We wanted to know whether the current AI technology could make the subreddit's job easier. She told us more about how AI models recognize objects in pictures, what challenges we might run into, and what the future of AI image recognition technology is. Read our interview with her below!
More info: What Is This Thing? | Celia Quillian on Instagram | Celia Quillian on TikTok
Click here & follow us for more lists, facts, and stories.
#25
These Chains At Animal Kingdom Disney World, They Are Located On The Safari Tour
Its to prevent animals from moving from zone to zone. The chains are difficult/ uncomfortable for herd animals to walk across so the dont. Similar chanis/bars are used for other cattle and livestock on farms. Source: been on the safari tour way too many times and had guides tell us that.
#26
Witt? Some Sort Of A Combination Of Tongs And A Strainer?
Handheld colander for fried foods.
#27
I Dug This Up While On Holiday In Devon, UK. Only The Protruding Cylindrical Part Was Visible And It Was Found ~7m Up A Sand Dune. It Is Solid Metal (Most Likely Iron) And Roughly A Metre In Length. It Didn’t Seem Hollow And Was Unbelievably Heavy. Any Ideas?
With a trunnion on each side, it looks like a small cannon.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane?! Unfortunately, it most likely won’t be Superman. And, chances are, it’s not the Twister either. But it is something peculiar. It’s an unknown object (not from space, though!) that needs some help from the Internet to identify it.
Luckily, there is a subreddit for that. The What Is This Thing community is fortunately still going strong with more than 2.7 million members! It’s a place where you can post a picture of an item that you can’t for the life of you figure out what it is or where it came from. The Internet will most likely come to your aid, and the subreddit’s detectives will tell you what your strange object is.
This time, we’ve compiled a new selection of the best entries from the community for you to enjoy. So scroll away and let us know your favorites by upvoting them!
Bored Panda reached out to Celia Quillian, an AI expert who previously lent her expertise to TIME magazine and the Today Show. We wanted to know whether the current AI technology could make the subreddit's job easier. She told us more about how AI models recognize objects in pictures, what challenges we might run into, and what the future of AI image recognition technology is. Read our interview with her below!
More info: What Is This Thing? | Celia Quillian on Instagram | Celia Quillian on TikTok
Click here & follow us for more lists, facts, and stories.
#28
Old Wooden Bat-Like Object With Floral Carvings
OP it’s called a tire thumper, 18 wheelers use them to “check their tires”. Really it’s kept under their seat for self defense. *floral carvings would be a bit out of place tho.
#30
Grid Of Large Metal Cubes On A Pole, Located In The Las Vegas Airport. Not Making Any Noise And No Lights, Maybe An Air Filter Or Something? Located About 8ft Off The Ground And Maybe 20ft Long
A decommissioned arrival/departure display.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane?! Unfortunately, it most likely won’t be Superman. And, chances are, it’s not the Twister either. But it is something peculiar. It’s an unknown object (not from space, though!) that needs some help from the Internet to identify it.
Luckily, there is a subreddit for that. The What Is This Thing community is fortunately still going strong with more than 2.7 million members! It’s a place where you can post a picture of an item that you can’t for the life of you figure out what it is or where it came from. The Internet will most likely come to your aid, and the subreddit’s detectives will tell you what your strange object is.
This time, we’ve compiled a new selection of the best entries from the community for you to enjoy. So scroll away and let us know your favorites by upvoting them!
Bored Panda reached out to Celia Quillian, an AI expert who previously lent her expertise to TIME magazine and the Today Show. We wanted to know whether the current AI technology could make the subreddit's job easier. She told us more about how AI models recognize objects in pictures, what challenges we might run into, and what the future of AI image recognition technology is. Read our interview with her below!
More info: What Is This Thing? | Celia Quillian on Instagram | Celia Quillian on TikTok
Click here & follow us for more lists, facts, and stories.
#31
The University I Used To Attend Had One Of These In Every Classroom -- A Small Black Box With What Appears To Be A Grid Of Leds, Placed Towards The Front Of The Room / Where Students Will Face When Seated
Infrared audio transmitter for the hearing impaired.
#32
What Is This Thing On My Neighbors Balcony? About 1.5 Feet X 8 Inches. Some Type Of Electronic. Small White (Sometimes Red) Light Shining Occasionally. Looks Like It’s Suctioned To The Door
5G Home WiFi, it connects to 5G cell towers and streetlights and gets the best reception when attached to a plane of glass because 5G attenuates through walls.
#33
I Saw This Building At Work The Other Day, Its Detached From Any Other Buildings Its About 15 Ft Tall Windows On All Sides But Only On The Top And A Door In Front
Old deer blind turned into kids' fort
#34
Two Small Metal Items With Cloth Inside The Hole On The Side
They are vintage kazoos, they probably need new baffles in the hole to be able to work properly.
#35
Wierd Hammer-Shaped Thing With Flat Edges
This is an axe for peppermint bark. It comes in the package. Market solved. I’m so excited I’ve never solved one of these.
#36
I Received This Item As A Wedding Gift From An Egyptian Wedding Guest. It Is Nearly 5” Tall And Has A Removable Top With 4small Holes Like A Salt Shaker (Item Is Not Hollow)
It's a narghile/hookah. Looks like it's purely decorative, not really usable.
#37
Cinder Block Walled Hole Under A Concrete Step. What Is The Purpose?
It's part of the foundation. Keeping consistent depth keeps things moving together instead of separately so your steps stay on place and don't heave or drop in time.
#38
These Are Found On Street Corners In Daytona Beach. They Appear To Just Pump Water Up Only For It To Go Immediately To The Storm Drain. I Have Seen A Few Different Designs
They’re timed valves to keep the water in the distribution lines from getting too old. When the water is in the pipe too long the chlorine level drops too much and the water is unsafe.
#39
Easily Malleable Metal, With Diamonds In The Center. I Have Four Of Them, And They Were All Rolled Up Like The First Picture
I think they're accessories for hair braids, try googling 'hair braid cuffs'.
#41
Small Plastic Spoons With Brown Substance, Individually Packaged And Found In A Public Park Exposed To The Elements
Tamarind spoon. You have Hispanics in the neighborhood. Hit up a liquor store and get a fresh pack and try them out!
#43
I See These Weird Metal Boxes In UK Pubs Down By The Bar And Other Than Impromptu Chewing Gum Bins, What The Heck Are They?
An old ash tray.
#45
A White Plastic Stick, That Gets Narrower In The Middle, With Small Hands On Both Ends Given As A Wedding Favour/Gift For Guests
A Muddler Stick / Cocktail Swizzle Stick.
#46
Front Eyelet On Winter Boot. Unsure Of Purpose
Hook for attaching "gaiters" example that uses the laces themselves but the hook is a far better option because it's independent of your laces which can affect how the boot wears
#47
Small Leather Piece With Straps And Adjustable Buckles
Wife had something similar that was decoration on boots. You could take them off and change them. Its an ornament for a boot. Search for Boot Bracelet. Fits sorta like spurs.
#48
Strange Object Inside A Wooden Box. We Can See Some Numbers At The Base. It Has Some Wires. There's Also A Strange Large Wook. It May Have Some Missing Parts
It's a simple/plane alidade. It's made out of iron and wood. It measures 52cmx22cm. The hook measures 31 cm. The number at the base go from 0 to 1100.
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