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If there's a problem, there's a solution. Of course, if the issue is very specific, a simple screwdriver probably won't do the trick. Luckily, human ingenuity has more to offer. A lot more. And you can see it all on the subreddit r/SpecializedTools.

It's an interesting corner of the internet, encouraging people to post photos of niche tools, created to make our lives better in situations where nothing else fits quite as well. A real delight to satisfy our curiosity.

#1

This Chair For People Who Love To Sit Cross-Legged

This Chair For People Who Love To Sit Cross-Legged

mtimetraveller Report

Most family garages probably have an assortment of tools and materials that could all be used to make, for example, a basic table for the backyard or even something more complex. The team at Dienamics, a company that specializes in industrial design, toolmaking, and manufacturing, says that tools are the backbone of modern industry and trade. They are essential in almost any construction project. However, we don't often stop to think about the process of making the tools themselves.

Many argue that in prehistoric times, one of the most important eras in our evolution was the utilization of basic tools. The earliest known human-made stone tools date back around 2.6 million years. Crafted and used by homo habilis (sometimes known as "handy man"), these implements marked the first in a series of major toolmaking advances among early human hunter-gatherer societies, lasting from the early Stone Age all the way up until the first modern humans, homo sapiens, made the transition to permanent agricultural settlements around 10,000 years ago. Tools allowed our ancient ancestors to have much more of an effect on the world around them, helping them to survive in more comfort, and achieve more with less.

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As we evolved as a species, so did our tools and our ability to use them. These two elements were essential to the development of infrastructure, which spurred the establishment of trades like carpentry and blacksmithing which relied on an individual mastering the use of a certain tool or trade. While hand tools were once forged out of the natural environment, these trades fine-tuned the creation of their tools using iron, wood and other metals which were heated and remolded.

These days, the process of creating tools is a lot more specific which, according to Dienamics, means there is a uniformity in material, size, and weight of hand tools which wasn't possible before. Now, a hand tool is designed on a computer, taking into account specific measurements and densities which make it both efficient and easy to use.

#5

Tree Mover

Tree Mover

Pushkatron Report

#6

A Lift To Help This Truck Driver Get In Cab

A Lift To Help This Truck Driver Get In Cab

memezzer Report

#7

Surgical Suture Training Pad

Surgical Suture Training Pad

mud_tug Report

#8

My Smallest And Largest Hex Keys For Working On Large Injection Molding Presses

My Smallest And Largest Hex Keys For Working On Large Injection Molding Presses

switchup Report

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#9

A Norwegian Shoe Drying Machine

A Norwegian Shoe Drying Machine

Sacktimus_Prime Report

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Cip IESAN
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In fact, the device sucks the smell from the shoes and spread it all over the neighborhood...

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#10

Snow Clearing Machine For Trucks!

Snow Clearing Machine For Trucks!

screwywabbit Report

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Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s illegal in many states not to clear snow from the roof of a vehicle

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#11

To Test Large Crane Capacity We Use Giant Water Bags... Aka The Balls Of Judgment

To Test Large Crane Capacity We Use Giant Water Bags... Aka The Balls Of Judgment

flgsrockon Report

#12

In Case You Have Never Seen, These Baffle Balls Are Used Inside Water Trucks To Stop The Water From Sloshing Side To Side While Driving

In Case You Have Never Seen, These Baffle Balls Are Used Inside Water Trucks To Stop The Water From Sloshing Side To Side While Driving

NRGpop Report

#13

During The Australian Bushfires Any Water Source Can Be Used To Fight The Fires

During The Australian Bushfires Any Water Source Can Be Used To Fight The Fires

outdatedopinion Report

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Jo Morris
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw water getting taken from water hazards on a neighbouring golf course during the Canberra Bushfires.

neilbidle avatar
Devil's Advocate
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And why not?! The nearest lake could be 15 minutes away, that pool is super convenient!

donotreplytokjk avatar
Otter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was kayaking on a river, when a fire started on the bluff above me. A few minutes later a firefighting helicopter appeared, and what it did was hover above the river, stick a long broad hose into the river and hoover up water, and spray it on the fire. It could have used any water source larger than a puddle, that thing could have drained a horse trough and used it to fight a small wildfire.

marysefaucher avatar
Maryse Faucher
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If my water pool is needed for a fire and by that picture the fire is quite close to the house. I would be please empty it so my neighborhood don't burn down

tsweda avatar
Thomas Sweda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wouldn’t work here in the U.S. it would be “infringing on our God given RIGHTS.”

kathrynbaylis_1 avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pretty sure the owner of the house with the pool was only too happy to contribute.

arianahale avatar
AspieGirl88
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whatever they have to do to stop those fires, right? You know the alternative & it isn’t going to be a good one. This world is falling apart as it is, so we gotta do what we can now to save it... 🔥🌍🤷‍♀️

marythepoem avatar
Mary Peace
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely right. A major emergency that is affecting so many people, there shouldn't be any question about it.

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paula_42 avatar
catslave6
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They take it out of the rivers here in Colorado. I'm sure pools and ponds would be fair game also. I always wonder if there are any very startled and surprised fish scooped up when they use the river! Then, fried fish when drop the water on the fire. Poor fishes. ;>(

greggb57 avatar
Gregg Bender
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have no objection as a homeowner in this situation. Damned good flying on the part of the helo pilot, too.

geoffrogers avatar
Ara
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m pretty sure sure that during bush/wild fires, monsoon buckets would be filled from any suitable water source regardless of which country they’re in.

klerandre avatar
Randy Klefbeck
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Friends of mine lived in a remote gated community in Southern CA. U.S. and they had a large pump mounted on a 55 gal drum, with several 100' of hose. Their neighbor had the swimming pool with which was supplied the water in case of fire in their three house area.

veselina_zh avatar
xvslnx
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would keep my pool filled in all the time so they can take as much water as needed.

nlynch1010 avatar
Nancy Lynch
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And so they should be able to do that as well as any other fire ravaged area.

miss_sammi_dee avatar
Shelley DuVal
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep, No-one (that I know of) complains about this, most of us realise the need for close water sources to fight fires.

crackerbit avatar
Amanda Hunter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just remember, if you see the planes in the sky above, don't go in your pool.

wayne_dorman avatar
Wayne Dorman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine just having a relaxing dip in your pool then the next thing you know you're 600 ft in the air about to be dropped on a bushfire?

alexhamilton avatar
Alex Hamilton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do hope that nobody was taking a dip when that thing came down. I actually HAS happened.

linda_robinett avatar
Linda Robinett
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In California, more likely a lake but with our drought, this could work

henshaven avatar
Sandy Kavanaugh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And I doubt if anyone minds, either. Aussies seem to be a nation-oriented people during disasters.

kaching12 avatar
Yort
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine if you didn’t know there was a fire and you just this bright orange thing stealing water from your pool.

fledhyris avatar
Gail Nicholson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seen these in use in Portugal, where they also get a lot of fires but it's much less reported on globally. It's fun to watch the planes sweep down over rivers and lakes to fill the buckets!

rhonyoung avatar
Rhon Young
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most dams on farms in Australia are approved for fire fighting use.

thirdmolar avatar
third molar
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They should send emergency alerts and all residents with pools should be required to fill them and no one to use pool.

jeffrequier_1 avatar
Requiem
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

thats not a fancy invention, its a helicopter with a water bag,

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#14

You Saw My Largest And Smallest Hex Keys. These Are My Largest And Smallest Adjustable Wrenches!

You Saw My Largest And Smallest Hex Keys. These Are My Largest And Smallest Adjustable Wrenches!

switchup Report

#15

This Titanium Coated Butter Knife With Internal Copper Alloy Heat Tubes. It’s Made To Heat Up When Held In Your Hand, So That It Is Easier To Spread Butter

This Titanium Coated Butter Knife With Internal Copper Alloy Heat Tubes. It’s Made To Heat Up When Held In Your Hand, So That It Is Easier To Spread Butter

RampChurch Report

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ner_diz avatar
Serial pacifist
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Titanium coated butter knife with internal copper alloy heat tubes". Really? Just to cut butter? What would you use for bread - a vibranium covered adamantium-made knife with a diamond-cutting laser beam?

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#17

A Street Sign Cleaning Vehicle, Complete With Soap, Water, A Brush And Some Kind Of Reflective Wax (Or Something?). First Time Seeing One In Germany

A Street Sign Cleaning Vehicle, Complete With Soap, Water, A Brush And Some Kind Of Reflective Wax (Or Something?). First Time Seeing One In Germany

ToFFi57 Report

#18

These Specialized Chain Tires That Are Used In The Extreme Heat Of Steel Mills

These Specialized Chain Tires That Are Used In The Extreme Heat Of Steel Mills

AristonD Report

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#20

My Buddy Made Me A Label Applicator. Just Passed 8000 Bottles/Labels

My Buddy Made Me A Label Applicator. Just Passed 8000 Bottles/Labels

JeF4y Report

#22

The Sasumata Is A Pole Weapon Used By The Samurai In Feudal Japan. It's Also Used Today To Safely Wrangle Anyone Posing A Threat To Civilians

The Sasumata Is A Pole Weapon Used By The Samurai In Feudal Japan. It's Also Used Today To Safely Wrangle Anyone Posing A Threat To Civilians

SAmtoogz Report

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NsG
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I misread this as "satsuma" and wondered how a small orange fruit could be used in crowd control... My bad.

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#23

New Type Of Parking Enforcement On My Campus Replacing The Boot, Appropriately Named “The Barnacle”

New Type Of Parking Enforcement On My Campus Replacing The Boot, Appropriately Named “The Barnacle”

LiQuiD0v3rkiLL Report

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KJ
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Curious about how its fixed to the windscreen, surely easier to remove?

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#24

Bend Rules

Bend Rules

mtimetraveller Report

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Maryse Faucher
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got one of those from my dad tool box that I got after his passing. Strangely used it to make the corner when I sew

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#25

Tool That Allows One Man To Move The Whole Train By Hand

Tool That Allows One Man To Move The Whole Train By Hand

aloofloofah Report

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Moodles
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You'd like every train in the UK is moved like this ALL THE TIME judging by the constant delays

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#26

Barrel-Filling Bridge

Barrel-Filling Bridge

aloofloofah Report

#27

When A Guy Walks Into Your Office With This Thing Asking To Take A Reading. It's Called A Velometer, And Measures The Speed Of Air In A Given Area. He Kindly Allowed Me To Take A Photo

When A Guy Walks Into Your Office With This Thing Asking To Take A Reading. It's Called A Velometer, And Measures The Speed Of Air In A Given Area. He Kindly Allowed Me To Take A Photo

AzayakaCosplay Report

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Becky Samuel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We're going to be seeing a lot more of this now that the importance of air flow in disease prevention has become more apparent.

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#28

Nasa Pistol Grip Tool - A Cordless Power Screwdriver/Drill Used By Spacewalking Astronauts To Fix The Hubble Space Telescope And The International Space Station

Nasa Pistol Grip Tool - A Cordless Power Screwdriver/Drill Used By Spacewalking Astronauts To Fix The Hubble Space Telescope And The International Space Station

mikerowave Report

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#29

I Work In A Stem Cell Lab. This Is A Liquid Nitrogen Dry Shipper, Used To Transport Cryopreserved Products Like Stem Cells And Vaccines In -150c

I Work In A Stem Cell Lab. This Is A Liquid Nitrogen Dry Shipper, Used To Transport Cryopreserved Products Like Stem Cells And Vaccines In -150c

hiimkristina Report

#30

Using A Comb To Straighten Air Conditioner Fins

Using A Comb To Straighten Air Conditioner Fins

jefftatro1 Report

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Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, but no matter how many you bring to the job you won't have the right size, they take quite a bit of effort, and don't work on heavily smashed fins. Plus you're probably going to slip and slice your knuckles.

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#31

Stenographer, The Machine The Court Reporters Use To Type Everything That Is Said There

Stenographer, The Machine The Court Reporters Use To Type Everything That Is Said There

mtimetraveller , Mike Gifford Report

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Francis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

can somebody explain me how it works and how the people know what they wrote?

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#32

Spent Shotgun Shell Lawn Sweeper Picker-Upper

Spent Shotgun Shell Lawn Sweeper Picker-Upper

GI-Girl56 Report

#33

Pedestrian Catcher In 1920s

Pedestrian Catcher In 1920s

mtimetraveller Report

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mcborge1
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can just imagine the narration. :D "And look at this hapless chap, we'll soon deal with him."

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#34

They're Childrens' Training Scissors. Like For Pre-Schoolers. The Extra Holes Are So A Grown-Up Can Co-Scissor And Help The Kid

They're Childrens' Training Scissors. Like For Pre-Schoolers. The Extra Holes Are So A Grown-Up Can Co-Scissor And Help The Kid

Mak_101 Report

#35

I'm A Dog Groomer. These Guys Are Chunkers Meant To Specifically "Chunk" Out The Thick Hair

I'm A Dog Groomer. These Guys Are Chunkers Meant To Specifically "Chunk" Out The Thick Hair

daisytrips Report

#36

Insulated Cryo Glove For Handling Very Cold Items (E.g. Liquid Helium). Like An Oven Mitt’s Cold Cousin

Insulated Cryo Glove For Handling Very Cold Items (E.g. Liquid Helium). Like An Oven Mitt’s Cold Cousin

phronimouse Report

#37

A Tool Used For Straw Roofing. Dutch Word For It Is 'Drijfbord'

A Tool Used For Straw Roofing. Dutch Word For It Is 'Drijfbord'

Moeiekoe Report

#38

For Right Handed, Left Eye Dominant Folks

For Right Handed, Left Eye Dominant Folks

robblokkit Report

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NOLAHusker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if the rest of the world knows that hunting rifles exist in countries other than the US. Wouldn’t know it based on these comments.

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#39

Ladies And Gentlemen, Allow Me To Present A Fabled “The Right Tool”. This Is The Only Tool That Can Be Used To Remove The Oil Filter Housing On A Lamborghini Gallardo

Ladies And Gentlemen, Allow Me To Present A Fabled “The Right Tool”. This Is The Only Tool That Can Be Used To Remove The Oil Filter Housing On A Lamborghini Gallardo

8jac0b88 Report

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Francis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when you're so hyper special that you design a car that comes with its own tools :D

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#40

A Champagne Sabre, For Cutting The Tops Off Champagne Bottles

A Champagne Sabre, For Cutting The Tops Off Champagne Bottles

CitySquirrel202 Report

Note: this post originally had 49 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.