- 22 hours ago
Everyday items like pens, lighters, and car dashboards are more than meets the eye. Dive into the remarkable truths behind these common tools, revealing ingenious designs and unexpected features that could change your perspective. Discover the life-saving secrets of a pen cap and the hidden technology in your microwave. Learn about the concealed mechanisms in power tools that manufacturers prefer you overlook. This exploration of everyday objects uncovers the engineering brilliance that surrounds us, often unnoticed.
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FunTranscript
00:00Many shirts have two buttons on the cuffs, but only one buttonhole.
00:05So what is the second button for?
00:08Turns out you can use it whenever you're wearing a watch, so the cuff is looser.
00:14Most clothing items you buy come with a small bag of fabric or a button, or both.
00:20Buttons obviously can be used as a replacement if you lose the original ones.
00:24Pieces of fabric can be used to patch up a hole, but most importantly, it's a tester.
00:30You can use it to test different washing products on it and see what happens to the fabric.
00:36Some umbrellas have a tip at the top, and it turns out it's not just a pretty design.
00:42When going inside on a rainy day, you should just close your umbrella and tap the tip against the floor
00:48to drain the water faster and more effectively.
00:52Many backpacks have this diamond with two parallel cutout slits on its front, and it's there for your comfort.
01:00You can attach something to it, like a water bottle or shoes.
01:04It comes especially handy if you travel somewhere or go hiking, so you don't have to hold your stuff.
01:11Okay, the next thing is gear loops, and probably from the name of it, you already have an idea what
01:17they're there for.
01:18You can strap in some useful gear you need to have with you, like trekking poles or shovels.
01:23Some gear will need to be secured to do it.
01:26Drop the handle through the loop and rotate it upward.
01:30Then, secure it with the elastic hook at the top, and you're golden.
01:35On the back of many makeup and hygiene products, you can find this symbol with a marking, like 6M, 12M,
01:43and 24M.
01:45This is the number of months this product can serve after you open it and before you should throw it
01:51out.
01:53The two sides of a cotton pad are different because each of them has a particular purpose.
01:58A cotton pad has several layers to ensure that it's soft, strong, and can absorb liquids.
02:05The edge is stitched to hold it all together.
02:08The smooth side of a pad is for applying products, like tonics and lotions.
02:13And the embossed side is best for cleansing and makeup removal.
02:19Also, any pack of cotton pads has those strings on the sides.
02:23They're there so you can hang the package somewhere.
02:26Then, you can open the package at the bottom, where the perforated line is, and take them out.
02:32Did you know that there is an efficient way to pull a thread from yarn?
02:37When you pull from the outside, the yarn rolls away, so you need to hold it.
02:41However, if you pull it from the center, it will stay together.
02:46We're all familiar with staplers, but I bet you don't know all its secrets.
02:51Most staplers have a compartment to store spare staples, which can be located either on top or at the bottom.
02:59Also, surprise! This metal plate you press staples against can be turned around.
03:04This way, the device will be able to staple your documents by turning the metal ends outwards.
03:11No need to wonder whether you need to get a smaller or bigger container.
03:16Turns out, plastic food containers have volume measurements on their bottoms, indicating how much food they can fit.
03:24Ceiling fans come with a small switch on the inside of the blade.
03:27You might not have noticed it because it's not in plain sight, so check yours out.
03:32This switch allows you to change the direction of rotation.
03:36Now, why would you want to do that?
03:38The blades of a fan push the air in different directions, depending on the way they rotate.
03:44In the summer, you need the air to be pushed down to create the effect of a breeze.
03:50In the winter, the direction should be changed so that the air is pushed towards the ceiling.
03:55It then heats up before going down the walls.
04:00Have you noticed that the gas tank sign on cars' dashboards has a little arrow next to it?
04:07Well, this arrow has a purpose.
04:09It points at the side of the car where the gas tank is located.
04:13It's very useful for forgetful people who constantly wonder where the gas tank is,
04:18and also for those who drive rentals once in a while.
04:21The answer is right in front of your eyes.
04:23If you can't find the arrow on your panel, then the fuel hose on the icon indicates the side instead.
04:32All car tires have 12-digit numbers printed on them,
04:36and they're actually important codes for car owners if they want to get the right tire.
04:41The first letter identifies the type of tire.
04:44P stands for a tire for light passenger cars, and LT is for heavy vehicles.
04:50Then, the following numbers stand for the width of the tire, its radial, and its diameter.
04:58Measuring tapes have that metal stud on the end,
05:01which you can use to attach the tape to the surface you measure.
05:04This way, you don't need to hold it yourself.
05:07But there's also a small slot, which can be used to hang the tape on a nail,
05:12again to free your hands and keep measuring.
05:16The bottom of the end of the tape has a ridged edge.
05:20It will help you make a mark if you don't have a marking tool with you.
05:25On the tape, there are black diamonds that are placed every 19.2 inches.
05:30They're useful for construction workers when spacing engineering joists.
05:34They can also be useful for you if you want to hang something heavy, for example.
05:40The diamond will mark the exact center of a wooden joist.
05:44Those are placed 16 inches apart from one another.
05:47There, you can drill something to that center
05:50to make sure whatever you hang is safely attached to the joist
05:53instead of the unreliable thin wall.
05:56Pictures will survive, but it's particularly important if you're hanging something heavy.
06:02Did you know that batteries have an expiration date?
06:06Yes, it's printed right on their label, but I've never noticed it before.
06:11The expiration date doesn't mean you can't use it after that.
06:15It's more like a recommended usage period,
06:18after which the manufacturer can't guarantee full battery life
06:23due to deteriorated components.
06:27These little feet keyboards have are actually a standard.
06:32The height of a keyboard should be adjustable,
06:35allowing the angle between 0 degrees and 15 degrees.
06:40The reason to fold the feet out is for you to see the keys better,
06:45in case you don't type blindly.
06:47A little problem that comes with it is that, in this case,
06:51your wrists are bent,
06:53and it's not good to keep them in this position for a long time.
06:59Pans have those holes on the ends of their handles.
07:02They're not just there for you to hang them.
07:04You can also place your cooking spoon in there.
07:08It'll hang right above the pan,
07:10and the sauce will not spill around.
07:13Make sure to tap off the sauce or food beforehand, though,
07:17so that it doesn't go down the spoon's handle.
07:22Stickers with numbers you can find on fruits
07:24can tell you some information on how the food was grown.
07:29A four-digit code that starts with a four
07:32means that the fruit was grown conventionally,
07:36meaning it contains chemicals and pesticides.
07:40So your best choice should be a fruit with a five-digit number.
07:44And if you see the number nine,
07:46it indicates that the fruit is certified organic.
07:51On the bottom of plastic bottles,
07:54you can often notice a mark of a triangle
07:57with a number engraved in the middle.
08:00This number specifies the type of plastic
08:03that was used to produce the bottle.
08:05These codes help people and local recycling centers
08:10to sort returns.
08:12Products that were made of plastic of types 1 and 2
08:16are the easiest ones to recycle.
08:19Plastics of types 3 through 7 are tougher to recycle.
08:25Now, bubble wrap wasn't invented
08:27just to keep your items neatly stored inside packages.
08:30It was for epic stress relief!
08:33Oh, and one other thing.
08:34Apparently, someone thought their house
08:36would look awesome with three-dimensional wallpaper.
08:39They were going to plaster-painted bubble wrap
08:41all over the walls.
08:42It didn't work,
08:43so they tried selling it as greenhouse insulation.
08:46That failed too.
08:47But they nailed it on the third try.
08:50Small bubbles, big bubbles.
08:52Hey, what's your favorite?
08:54After downing a whole thing of mac and cheese,
08:56you've got to clean your teeth.
08:57It's a rule.
08:59Off you go to grab your blue toothbrush from the bathroom.
09:02Up and down, circles, rinse.
09:04Hey, good job!
09:05Now, how about a bit of mouthwash
09:07to keep your breath fresh?
09:09That mouthwash you're searching for
09:10wasn't always mouthwash.
09:12It used to be an antiseptic.
09:14You know, the type of thing doctors and nurses
09:17used to keep their hands bacteria-free?
09:20Mmm, minty.
09:21Mouthwash was also used as a floor cleaner
09:24and a cure for bad diseases.
09:26It was even marketed as a hair tonic.
09:28Hey, next time I clean my house
09:30and find myself out of cleaning products,
09:33I might just pop a few lidfuls of mouthwash
09:35into the bucket.
09:37Play-Doh.
09:38Yeah, you love it.
09:39I mean, it does whatever you want it to.
09:42Stretch it, sculpt it into a dinosaur,
09:44make the world's longest blue poxa-type thing.
09:47Just don't chuck it at the walls.
09:49Unless, yep, Play-Doh was initially supposed
09:52to be a wallpaper cleaner.
09:53And it wasn't until 20 years later
09:55that it became the clay we all love to squeeze
09:58into weird shapes.
10:00It was a popular way of getting all that soot
10:02off your wallpaper.
10:03Everyone was using coal to heat their houses back then.
10:06Rings are big business.
10:08People wear them for loads of different reasons.
10:10You even get one when you win a Super Bowl.
10:12Yippee!
10:13Back in the day, though, rings weren't just for show.
10:16Archers used to wear them to protect their fingers
10:19from their bow strings.
10:20And people doing needlework used them
10:22to make sure they didn't hurt themselves.
10:25All while looking extra stylish.
10:27Egyptians used them as seals,
10:29a personal ring signature.
10:31You walk into your very nice Egyptian office
10:34thousands of years ago.
10:35Everything's made of gold for some reason.
10:37Your boss walks in.
10:38Sign this, please.
10:39And all you do is place a bit of wax on the paper
10:43and press your ring on it.
10:45Sweet!
10:45Great idea!
10:46What if you lose your ring, though?
10:48Along with Play-Doh, everyone loves a slinky.
10:51Especially when it's in a YouTube video
10:53with some funky music in the background.
10:56They were actually invented by accident.
10:58Back in the 1900s,
11:00an engineer was working hard at his desk
11:02to find a way to keep sensitive nautical equipment steady
11:05while the boat was swishing around all over the place.
11:09Instead, he came up with a fantastic toy.
11:12Find a treadmill, put a slinky on it,
11:14thank me later.
11:16Don't know where to store your freshly baked pie?
11:18Place it on a frisbee
11:20if you want the chef to scream at you.
11:22In 1871, when frisbees first came to be,
11:25that's exactly what they were used for,
11:28to serve pies.
11:29Here you go, your strawberry pie on a frisbee tin.
11:32College students came up with a much better use
11:35for them, though.
11:36Can you do the thing where you throw it upside down?
11:39When you go to bed,
11:40you expect your pillow to be as soft as cotton,
11:43or maybe you prefer it a bit stiffer.
11:45The first pillows, however,
11:47weren't fluffy-wuffy soft.
11:49They were as hard as stone,
11:51because, you know,
11:52they were literally made out of stone.
11:54They were designed to lift your head off the ground
11:57and stop little critters from crawling all over us.
12:00Ew!
12:01They eventually turned soft, thankfully.
12:03I don't think my neck could handle a stone pillow right now.
12:07I'm sore just thinking about it.
12:09Hey, if you're anything like me,
12:10hey, aren't you glad you're not?
12:12You probably can't walk for even a few seconds in heels
12:15without falling over.
12:16I think even standing up might be a problem.
12:19Back in the 16th century,
12:21Persian soldiers used high heels
12:23to get more accuracy from their bows
12:25while on horseback.
12:27It helped them get that little bit taller.
12:29T-shirt.
12:30Now, why is that called a t-shirt?
12:32Come on, people!
12:33Well, they didn't used to call them that.
12:35These classics used to be
12:37standard-issue undershirts for the Navy.
12:40Back then, about 100 years ago,
12:42the word t-shirt wasn't even in the dictionary.
12:45Back in ancient Egypt,
12:47some people walked around with eye shadow.
12:49Now, you might think they were really ahead of the game
12:51when it came to fashion.
12:53That might be true,
12:54but mostly,
12:55they put it on to protect their eyes
12:56from the glare of the raging hot desert sun.
12:59No aviators back then.
13:01It was also used as a part of some ceremonies.
13:04We don't really know what they were doing or why,
13:07but for sure,
13:08they look good.
13:09Can't wait to see someone skiing down a hill
13:11with a face full of eye shadow.
13:14Okay, you're having memory problems.
13:16No worries!
13:17We've all been there.
13:19Where?
13:19I forget.
13:21Go to your drawer and grab a stack of…
13:23Yeah!
13:24Those thingies!
13:25Post-its!
13:26Now, write yourself a note.
13:28I'm almost out of Post-its.
13:29Ooh, very efficient!
13:31They were invented by accident
13:33by a scientist who was researching different glues.
13:36While he was trying out different mixtures,
13:38he discovered a special recipe for a glue
13:40that only stuck very lightly to most surfaces.
13:43He was actually trying to do the opposite,
13:45find the recipe for the biggest, baddest glue ever.
13:48One that could hold up framed panties.
13:51Still, I'd argue that Post-its are probably way better
13:55than an adhesive that strong.
13:57A Kleenex comes in handy anywhere,
14:01especially if you just bit into a hot dog
14:03and mustard is oozing all over your hands.
14:06They weren't originally thought to be multipurpose.
14:08They were originally invented to be a cold cream remover.
14:12What a weird specific use.
14:13Over the years, people started using them
14:16for anything and everything they could think of.
14:18Especially as a disposable handkerchief.
14:21When their marketing team took notice of this,
14:23they rebranded them into what we know and love,
14:26Kleenex tissues.
14:28How generic!
14:30You're trying to blend in and look cool at a restaurant,
14:33and you spill your drink all over the tablecloth.
14:36Uh-oh, you were originally going to order water,
14:39but the waitress convinced you to order their new cherry-infused something or other
14:43that's going to stain like crazy.
14:45Well, not to worry.
14:47Cellophane was designed to tackle this exact issue.
14:50The idea was to wrap the tablecloth with it,
14:53and then any and all spills could be white clean.
14:56It didn't quite work out.
14:57But instead, we found a great new purpose for it.
15:00Storing food!
15:01And it does the job perfectly.
15:03Plus, it's great for the odd prank now and then.
15:06You know what I mean.
15:07You know pom-poms on caps?
15:09If you've ever wondered what those are for,
15:11they're just decorative.
15:13Still, sailors used to use them a bit differently.
15:16They use them as sort of antennas,
15:18the way animals do to sense if an object is too close to them.
15:22Insects have them.
15:23Cats and other small mammals use their long whiskers
15:26to test if they can squeeze into a tight spot.
15:29And humans have pom-poms.
15:31Thanks to them, no more bumps on the head.
15:34The small square patches on a lot of backpacks nowadays
15:38are mostly decorative.
15:40Still, they used to be nice little gadgets for outdoorsy people.
15:43They used to tie extra equipment onto those squares
15:46or used them to tie their muddy sneakers onto.
15:49They might have lost their usage over the years,
15:51but they kept their funny name.
15:53You can call them lash tabs or pig snouts.
15:58A good pair of sunglasses completes any outfit.
16:01They're not just for show.
16:02A lot of professionals rely on them.
16:05Professional drivers, pilots, construction workers,
16:08they all use them to make their jobs safer.
16:11About a thousand years ago, judges used to wear them.
16:14Picture this.
16:15You're in a 12th century trial.
16:17Wonder how the judge is going to rule on this one.
16:20You try really hard to guess what the judge is thinking,
16:23but you can't.
16:24The judge has sunglasses on.
16:27The perfect way to hide your face while you interrogate someone.
16:32Here's how you can protect your bank card from potential fraudsters.
16:35Use a marker and cover the last four digits.
16:38You can also use a sticker that's easy to remove
16:41and place it over the security code.
16:43Have you had a house guest that didn't use a coaster?
16:46Get a hair dryer and hold it a couple of inches away from the stain.
16:50Blow it on medium heat for a couple of minutes to evaporate the watermark.
16:53If a faded ring remains, mix equal amounts of vinegar and olive oil in a bowl.
16:58Wipe it onto the marked area and rub it in until the stain disappears.
17:02Then wipe it off.
17:04Don't waste time scrubbing the burnt stains off the bottom of a pan.
17:07Instead, fill it with water and add three tablespoons of salt.
17:11Let it sit overnight as the salt dissolves the burnt marks.
17:15And in the morning, pour the water out of the pan.
17:17This way, it will be much easier to scrub all that grease off.
17:20Picture this.
17:22You're on vacation and your shirt has become all crinkled inside the luggage.
17:26You need it tonight, but the hotel doesn't have an iron.
17:29Don't panic.
17:30Hang the shirt up in the bathroom.
17:31And while you relax in a hot shower, the heat and moisture will unwrinkle your shirt.
17:36It won't be perfect, but it will get much better without any effort.
17:40The football is on and it turns out you've run out of standard batteries.
17:44You can use a smaller battery instead that easily fits inside.
17:48Now take some aluminum foil and crunch it up.
17:51Fit it into the gap on the negative or flat end of the battery.
17:55All done.
17:55You can turn on the TV now.
17:58Once your flip-flops crack and the plug easily slips out of the hole,
18:01it's normally a sign that you need a new pair.
18:04But there's a way to extend their mileage.
18:06Push the plug back through the hole.
18:08Then take a bread clip and attach it to the end.
18:11The clip will provide enough support for the plug to remain in place.
18:14You've received a package and the receipt is taped on.
18:18You've managed to detach it from the box.
18:20But how to separate the tape without ripping the paper?
18:23Hold both ends of the tape apart and by pulling it slowly,
18:27the tape stretches and separates itself from the paper without tearing it apart.
18:33Ziploc bags are perfect to keep things dry, but it would be great if they were larger.
18:38Take two and turn one of them inside out.
18:40They can now connect and work as one large bag, big enough to protect a keyboard.
18:46There's no need to carry your keys in your hand when you go for a jog.
18:50Instead, put them inside your pocket, take a rubber band,
18:53then tie it around the pocket from the inside.
18:56This stops the keys from falling out.
18:59You've broken your key in the door.
19:01It's stuck.
19:02Great.
19:03Arranging for a locksmith could cost up to $100.
19:05But for a cheaper and quicker option, try using a hot glue stick.
19:10Heat the end with a lighter and once it's warm enough to melt, push the glue into the keyhole.
19:15The melted glue will enter the available space covering part of the key.
19:19Once it cools, it compresses and gains a strong hold of the key's end.
19:24Now, just pull it out.
19:27If you need to siphon liquid through a hose and want to avoid using your mouth,
19:31put one end in the liquid and hold the other upwards with your thumb closing the top.
19:35Now shake up and down.
19:37This jiggle motion pushes liquid upwards a little each time.
19:41And once it reaches the top, lower the exit point and let gravity do the rest.
19:46You've left your keys locked inside the car.
19:49It's an older model with a roll-down window.
19:51You could get the coat hanger and begin the long process of finding the lock.
19:55Or use duct tape.
19:56Make about 20 2-foot-long strands.
19:59Stick them onto the window, allowing enough room for the tape to grab onto at the bottom.
20:04Then with a friend, take the ends of the tape, holding them together, and pull downwards.
20:09The force will allow the window to lower enough that you can unlock the door.
20:13While drilling long screws into hardwood, your old drill might not have enough power,
20:18leaving them only halfway in.
20:20Before the drill gives up, get a block of wax and scrape the edges of the screws with it.
20:25The wax works like a lubricant, melting as it gets warm, and providing easy entry for the screw.
20:32You're out camping, but you didn't bring anything to light the barbecue.
20:35Take a small plastic bag that won't leak.
20:38Fill it up with water and close it tight, making a round bubble.
20:42Hold it over where you want to catch the light from the sun.
20:45The bag of water will work like a magnifying glass, starting up the barbecue.
20:49Just as long as it's a sunny day.
20:52Missing a corkscrew or a cork breaking halfway?
20:55By using a stove lighter, heat the top of the bottle.
20:58The heat slightly expands the glass, and this forces the cork out the top.
21:03You've superglued your fingers again.
21:05Take some salt and pour it on top of your stuck fingers.
21:08Put your fingers into the water and slowly rub.
21:11The mixture will dissolve the glue and release you in no time.
21:15While hanging up a painting, it can be impossible to find that stubborn nail.
21:19Place a fork upside down and insert it so the nail is in between the middle fork teeth.
21:24The fork has provided a long arm that's separated from the wall,
21:28making it easier to slip the string of the painting over the nail.
21:32Once it's perfectly balanced, simply remove the fork.
21:37You need to put a cake into a container,
21:40but taking it out again later by lifting it up from the inside might ruin the cake.
21:45Put the lid upside down and place the cake on the lid.
21:48The base of the container is now the lid,
21:51making it much easier to access slice by slice.
21:55Pour out water more efficiently from large jugs and bottles by swirling.
21:59This will make the liquid inside spin, creating a vortex.
22:03The vortex allows for the air to flow back into the bottle as the water pours out,
22:08much faster than the glugging alternative.
22:12There's an easier and less messy way to remove eggshells from a boiled egg.
22:17Once fully boiled, crack the shell on both ends by tapping them.
22:21On one end, pinch off the shell.
22:23Use the opened end to blow with your mouth.
22:25The force of air will push the flesh and expand the eggshell,
22:29forcing out the egg, undamaged.
22:33When the hinges of your laptop break,
22:35repairing them can cost up to $300.
22:38A far cheaper fix is to buy a picture frame
22:41and tape it to the back of the screen.
22:44You've dropped a small piece of jewelry on the floor,
22:46seemingly impossible to find.
22:48Take a stocking and place it over the end of the vacuum hose.
22:52Give the area a good vacuum and check the end periodically.
22:55You will eventually find it sitting at the end.
22:58You've drilled a hole in the wall,
23:00but the drill hole is now too wide.
23:02Remove the screw and find an object that is slightly shorter and thinner.
23:07Pieces of plastic, small wires, paper clips, or even toothpicks are perfect.
23:11Place whichever item you find inside the hole.
23:14It's filled the gap enough so the screw will now re-enter securely.
23:18Taking the trash out can put you in a gross scenario of getting bin juice on you.
23:23A great way to avoid this is by placing old papers at the bottom of the bag.
23:27Now, not only does it absorb all the liquids from the food and other sources,
23:32but also helps prevent bad smells from forming within a bin.
23:36Nobody likes mosquitoes, and pesticides are pricey.
23:39A cheap alternative is to take a plastic bottle
23:42and cut the top part off from the bottom of the funnel.
23:45After removing it, turn it upside down and put it inside the bottle.
23:49Mix two cups of warm water with two tablespoons of sugar.
23:53The mosquitoes will be attracted to the formula inside and become trapped.
23:58Now just sit back and relax without getting bitten.
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