Sometimes we stumble across objects that make us stop and say, “What on earth is that?” Luckily, the internet is filled with curious minds ready to help solve these everyday mysteries. From strange household features to odd tools, people shared puzzling items online — and the answers turned out to be surprisingly clever.

For example, someone found a tray that opened into empty space — turns out, it was a lap desk with a missing support bar. Another person had a door with a tiny door inside it, which wasn’t for pets — it was a “speakeasy” hatch used to talk to visitors safely. Even numbered clothespins had a simple explanation: the numbers help identify mold defects during manufacturing.

Other discoveries were just as fascinating. A mysterious wall device was a pool gate alarm to protect children, and a spiked wooden ball found in bushes was actually garden art. A strange tube near a dumpster held a key in Germany, preventing unauthorized access. And that odd spinning feature on a pocketknife? A tiny glass cutter.

From cigar humidifiers to grave markers mistaken for survey stakes, these finds prove that the world is full of everyday wonders hiding in plain sight. When in doubt, ask the internet — someone out there almost always knows the answer, and the explanation might surprise you.