Every day, we use a ton of various objects in our daily lives. We rarely ask ourselves questions about how we are supposed to use them. Usually, we simply use them instinctively. So, sometimes we don’t use everyday objects properly but without knowing it. Here are 24 things that you have probably used in the wrong way all your life and so you ignore their real purpose even to this day.
1. Have you ever noticed the small holes in plane windows?
The small holes are there for two reasons: the first is to compensate for the air pressure. When the plane goes up in the air, there is an enormous difference in the pressure inside and outside of the plane. The hole is there to regulate a part of this pressure difference in order to take a load off the exterior window. The other reason there are holes is to avoid the windows from fogging up.
2. Have you ever noticed your new clothes usually come with extra fabric?
You probably always thought there was an extra piece of fabric to mend your piece of clothing if ever you tore it, right? Wrong! The manufacturer includes this small sample of material so you can test how different detergents react on your new shirt or pair of jeans.
3. What is the purpose of this small pocket?
The purpose of this small pocket was obvious for all Far West cowboys or gold miners from the 19th century. Indeed, this is where people stored their pocket watch when jeans were invented.
4. Here is the purpose of the rivets on your jeans
When Levi Strauss made his first pair of jeans, the pant’s seams would often tear because of all the workers and the miners’ efforts. Rivets exist to reinforce the pant in the most visible places.
5. What is the purpose of the small holes on the side of your Converse All Stars?
The main reason they are there is very obvious: ventilation. But some people think that because Converse All Stars were originally made like basketball shoes, the laces could be passed through the extra holes for maximum comfort.
6. Have you ever noticed the small hole at the end of your measuring tape?
It exists to hang nails or screws so that you are able to take your measurements safely without it slipping. Great, isn’t it?
7. The jagged end of the measuring tape is also very practical
The jagged edge of your tape measure is very practical. Indeed, imagine that you are trying to mark where your measurement is, but you cannot because both your hands are busy with your tape measure. Know that you can use your small serrated edge to mark your measurement.
8. This hole in your casserole’s handle is useful for more than one reason
Of course, the main reason the hole is there is to hang your pan, but the next time you need to put down your messy kitchen spoon, you won’t need to look far.
9. What’s the point of having a hole in the pasta ladle?
The main purpose of this hole is to filter the pasta and let the water flow, but be aware that on most spoons, the hole is about the perfect size of a portion of spaghetti.
10. Take a look at the arrow next to the fuel gauge
Maybe you’ve never noticed it before, but this little arrow is a very practical feature on cars. It indicates which side of the car the fuel cap is on. This is something practical to know, especially when you are driving a rental car.
11. Why is one side of your bobby pin zigzaggy?
The grooved side of the bobby pin should face the scalp. Why is that? Because the zigzags help the pin to better hold the hair in place.
12. Have you ever noticed how locks have a little hole?
This little hole is here for a few reasons. The first is that it allows water to drain out of the lock if you use it outside, so it won’t rust in the rain or freeze and break in winter. The hole can also be used to oil the lock to make it work properly.
13. What about this thick bit found on many cables?
These small cylinder-shaped pieces are ferrite cores and they are essentially just pieces of magnetic iron oxide that are there to suppress high-frequency electromagnetic interference. Have you ever heard strange interference when your mobile phone turns off too close to a speakerphone? Well, ferrite cores are there to prevent that from happening to your monitors, power supplies and everything else.
14. Here is how utility knives really work
Carefully examine the blade. Have you ever noticed the little lines on the blade? You can break the end of the blade to make your blade sharper whenever you want. To do this, remove the rear cap, slide the blade back and use the cap to remove the end of the blade before replacing it.
15. And why do some lids have a small spike?
Unscrew the cover, turn it over and push it. The small pick will pierce the protective film of your tube or container so that you can use it.
16. Discover why there are small bumps on the “F” and “J” keys on your computer keyboard
Most trained typists already know what these bumps are for. By tapping with your 10 fingers, the “F” and “J” keys are the welcome keys, where your index fingers rest. The small bumps allow you to find your initial position without looking at your keyboard.
17. Rulers have a hole
This hole is to hang the ruler!
18. Why do Apple power cables have “wings”?
The wings are used to wind the power cable wire and hold it in place. Start by winding the thicker section of the cable around the power pack, then the thinner part of the cable around the wings, and secure with the small clip at the end.
19. What is the purpose of the dot next to the camera on iPhones?
This is a microphone for when you use the rear camera.
20. Do you have any difficulties eating Tic Tacs?
Did you notice the little indentation on the lid of a pack of Tic Tacs? You should know that this serves as a distributor. So you can have one Tic Tac at a time.
21. The small plastic disc under your plastic bottle lid has a purpose
Do you wonder what this little disc is for? It is there to create a seal and thus keep all the contents of your bottle, both liquid and carbonate. Without this disc, your soda would be flat in no time.
22. What is the purpose of the blue part of your eraser?
You’ve probably heard that the blue side of your eraser can erase ink from a pen. That is indeed the case. But it only works on very thick paper. Also, note that the blue side is harder and more abrasive than the pink side.
23. And why do wine and champagne bottles have indentations at the bottom of the bottle?
These indentations are there to compensate for the pressure that the contents of the bottle undergo during the corking process. The sides and bottoms of the bottles are weak points, and the indentation distributes the pressure evenly inside the bottle. This is why champagne bottles, which are subjected to much more pressure due to carbonation, are much deeper.
24. Did you think the hole on your pen’s lid prevented the ink from drying?
Many people think that the cap of a ballpoint pen is there to prevent the ink from drying or that it is there to balance the pressure and thus prevent the ink from flowing. The real reason this hole is there is much simpler: it is there to reduce choking hazards. If a young child chewed the hood and choked, the hole would prevent the airway from closing completely.