- 16 hours ago
Discover the secret feature built into your charger block and why it was added after real-world issues emerged. Learn how clever design details like shapes, notches, and holes quietly prevent everyday failures. We break down the logic behind these features and show you how to avoid costly fixes. Gain practical know-how without spending a dollar.
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FunTranscript
00:01What's hiding inside Coca-Cola cans and regular household batteries?
00:05Why do magnets affect breakfast cereals?
00:08Do crosswalk buttons actually work or are they just useless decorations?
00:14What does that USB symbol really mean?
00:17I'm not sure I know the answers to these and similar questions,
00:21but I'm eager to learn the truth together with you.
00:24Let's find it out.
00:26Coca-Cola cans have a secret few people know about.
00:30Here's a Coke can.
00:31Let's submerge it in a highly corrosive alkaline solution.
00:35The aluminum dissolves due to a process known as hydrolysis,
00:39and we can see a plastic liner inside the can.
00:42It's made from a polymer or epoxy resin
00:45and serves as some kind of a protective barrier
00:48between the aluminum walls of the can and the rather acidic soda.
00:53Despite a popular myth, household batteries don't actually contain liquid,
00:58and if you accidentally cut them open, no toxic liquid will spill.
01:02Most of them are dry cell batteries which are made of electrochemical cells.
01:06Those convert chemical energy into electrical energy.
01:10Larger batteries often house numerous small cells within them too.
01:14Even Tesla vehicle batteries consist of multiple small cells.
01:18When combined, they easily provide the necessary voltage.
01:24Most toothbrushes have differently colored bristles,
01:27but they aren't just pleasing to the eye.
01:29Those bristles, often blue, have a functional purpose.
01:32They're called toothbrush indicators,
01:34and their colors fade as you use the brush.
01:37The American Dental Association recommends changing your toothbrush
01:40at least four times a year.
01:43And by getting paler,
01:44these bristles help you figure out when it's time to replace your toothbrush.
01:49You'll probably agree that there's no better snack than a pack of chips.
01:53Some are flat, others have ridges.
01:55Is it just aesthetics?
01:57Not really.
01:58The main purpose of those lines on some kinds of chips
02:01is to help with the distribution of spices and seasonings.
02:04In other words,
02:05all those substances that make your chips taste like cheese
02:08are mostly stored inside the lines.
02:11Plus, the lines make chips crunchier.
02:15Now, this one might be a surprise,
02:17but some breakfast cereals are magnetic.
02:19That's because they're often fortified with iron
02:22in the form of a fine powder.
02:24Due to the added iron,
02:26cereal flakes get attracted to magnets.
02:28All this may sound kind of alarming,
02:30but in reality,
02:31the iron content in the flakes is minimal
02:33and doesn't pose any threat to your health.
02:37That clear fluid in gel pens
02:38is called the ink follower or stopper fluid.
02:41The gel in such pens contains pigment particles
02:44dissolved in a polymer solution.
02:47The main task of the stopper fluid
02:49is to be a barrier
02:50to prevent the gel from evaporating or leaking out.
02:53Without this transparent fluid,
02:55your gel pen wouldn't function.
02:58The fluid always stays in one position
03:00and doesn't get dissolved with the gel.
03:02Neither does it move backwards
03:04or flow out of the pen.
03:07Many pedestrian crosswalk buttons,
03:09namely in New York,
03:11are placebo buttons.
03:12They do literally nothing when you press them.
03:15Originally, they were functional
03:17after being introduced in 1964,
03:19but today,
03:20most of them don't affect traffic lights,
03:22which are programmed
03:22based on the real needs of the traffic flow.
03:26Why do such buttons even exist then?
03:28It's a simple psychological trick,
03:30providing you with an illusion of control.
03:34You might have noticed
03:35that movie theater seats
03:36are almost always red.
03:39This choice isn't random.
03:40It has strategic importance,
03:42which is rooted in visual science.
03:44The thing is,
03:46red light has a longer wavelength.
03:47It means that it's the first color
03:49to disappear in low light.
03:51It allows the audience
03:52to concentrate better on the screen
03:53once the movie begins.
03:55Such a design choice
03:56enhances the viewing experience
03:58by minimizing distractions.
04:01Speed bumps are crucial
04:02for pedestrian safety,
04:04but at the same time,
04:05they can seriously increase car emissions
04:07due to the non-stop acceleration
04:09and deceleration they cause.
04:13To address this issue,
04:14some cities like London
04:15are testing fake speed bumps.
04:17Those are optical illusions
04:19painted on the road.
04:20They look raised
04:22from a driver's perspective,
04:23but in reality,
04:24they're flat.
04:25Authorities hope that this approach
04:27will slow down drivers
04:28without having a negative impact
04:30on the environment.
04:33Soda bottles are always filled
04:35in such a way
04:36that there's some space
04:37between the liquid and the cap.
04:39That's because soda contains
04:40carbon dioxide.
04:41It's a gas that can expand
04:43once the bottle's heated.
04:44If there's no gap in the bottle,
04:46it can break
04:47because of the pressure
04:48building inside.
04:50Also, when you open your drink,
04:52the gases go out
04:52in the form of bubbles,
04:54making the drink overflow.
04:55The gap helps
04:57with this problem, too.
05:00The USB symbol,
05:01looking like a trident,
05:03has always sparked
05:04multiple speculations
05:05about its origin.
05:07One popular idea
05:08is that it represents
05:09Neptune's trident
05:11and symbolizes power
05:12and adaptability.
05:13But there's also
05:14a little bit less
05:16exciting theory.
05:17A man who claimed
05:18to have designed the symbol
05:19in the 1980s
05:20stated that it was supposed
05:21to represent connectivity.
05:23The large circle
05:24symbolizes a computer,
05:26while the attached shapes
05:27– the circle,
05:28the triangle,
05:29and square –
05:29stand for different outputs.
05:33The design of a tennis racket
05:35has a specific feature
05:36known as the throat.
05:38It's an open space
05:39below the head of the racket.
05:41This space isn't just
05:43for storing balls,
05:44it also improves
05:45the racket's aerodynamics
05:46by letting air pass through.
05:48It seriously reduces drag
05:50during swings.
05:52Speaking of tennis,
05:54tennis courts are usually
05:55built with a north-south
05:56orientation.
05:58It helps minimize
05:59the impact of the sun's
06:00position during the game,
06:01ensuring that neither player
06:03has the sun directly
06:04in their eyes.
06:06Look closely
06:07at a tram's overhead lines
06:09and you'll see
06:10that its contact wires
06:11zigzag back and forth
06:13instead of going
06:13in a straight line.
06:15That's because all trams
06:16have pantographs
06:17attached to their roofs.
06:19The upper part
06:20of the pantograph
06:21is gradually worn down
06:22by the overhead wire
06:23and eventually
06:24needs to be replaced.
06:26To wear it down evenly,
06:28the wire is not installed
06:29strictly along the tram's path,
06:32but in zigzag patterns.
06:34As the tram moves,
06:35the pantograph slides
06:37along the wire
06:37and it wears down evenly.
06:41Those cone-shaped
06:42water cooler cups?
06:44Their shape is
06:45intentionally designed
06:46to prevent users
06:47from setting the cups down.
06:48This allows employees
06:50to minimize the risk
06:51of spilling water
06:52on their desks
06:53around various
06:53electronic devices.
06:55Plus,
06:56less material is used
06:57to produce cone-shaped cups,
06:58which makes the process
06:59less wasteful
07:00and more cost-effective.
07:02It also kind of
07:04supports sustainability
07:05by encouraging people
07:06to drink their water quickly
07:07and dispose of their cups
07:08immediately after.
07:12Most suitcases
07:13have two zipper pulls,
07:14and it serves
07:15several purposes.
07:17First of all,
07:18if one zipper fails,
07:20the other can keep
07:21the suitcase closed.
07:22Even better,
07:23having two zippers
07:24allows you to have
07:25easier access
07:26to small sections
07:27of your suitcase
07:28without having to
07:29open it entirely.
07:31And finally,
07:32when you have two zippers,
07:33you can connect them
07:35with a padlock
07:35for increased security.
07:39Some plastic milk containers
07:41have dents on their sides.
07:42These dents
07:43serve several purposes.
07:45When milk spoils,
07:46it usually causes swelling
07:48and high-pressure buildup
07:49inside the container.
07:50That's when the dent
07:51pops out
07:52and doesn't let
07:52the jug blow up.
07:54Plus,
07:55if you decide
07:55to freeze the milk,
07:56it will expand
07:57like any other fluid.
07:59And then again,
08:00the indentation
08:01will pop out
08:02and prevent the container
08:03from breaking
08:04inside your freezer.
08:07If you ever had
08:08a problem figuring out
08:09why fake pockets exist,
08:11you need to hear this.
08:13The main reason
08:14is that if a clothing item
08:16has a specific cut
08:17or shape,
08:18pockets may spoil it.
08:19They can alter
08:20the item's shape
08:21either in the warehouse
08:22or already on the retail rack.
08:24The solution?
08:26Getting rid of the pockets
08:27in key areas.
08:28Plus,
08:29fake pockets
08:30are obviously cheaper
08:31and they don't get
08:32stretched out.
08:34The thermos
08:35wasn't actually invented
08:37to keep your coffee warm.
08:39It was made
08:40by a Scottish scientist
08:41who wanted a safe place
08:42to keep his chemicals
08:43at a stable temperature.
08:45So,
08:46he took two bottles,
08:47put the smaller one
08:48inside the bigger bottle,
08:49and vacuumed out
08:50the air between them.
08:55Some pieces of clothing
08:56come with a small patch
08:57of fabric
08:58with a button on it.
08:59While it's quite obvious
09:01how to use the button,
09:02the fabric's purpose
09:03isn't so apparent.
09:04It's not there
09:05to patch holes.
09:06You're supposed to test
09:07your cleaning products
09:08on it.
09:09Then,
09:10if something goes wrong,
09:11you won't ruin
09:11the whole garment.
09:13The seemingly random
09:14dime-sized hole
09:15in the elevator door
09:16is actually
09:17a keyhole.
09:18If the elevator doors
09:19get stuck,
09:20an operator can open
09:21them manually
09:22by inserting a special key
09:24in this hole.
09:25The same tool is used
09:26when an elevator
09:27needs routine maintenance.
09:29Some plastic milk containers
09:31have dents in their sides
09:32that serve several purposes.
09:34For one,
09:34if milk spoils,
09:35this process can cause swelling
09:37and high-pressure buildup
09:38inside the container.
09:40That's when the dent
09:41comes in handy.
09:42It pops out
09:43and doesn't let the jug
09:44blow up.
09:45Plus,
09:45if you decide
09:46to freeze the milk,
09:47it'll expand
09:48like any other liquid.
09:49And then again,
09:50the indentation
09:51will pop out
09:52and prevent the container
09:53from bursting
09:53inside the freezer.
09:55A first-timer
09:56might think
09:57that Chinese takeaway boxes
09:58have a peculiar shape.
10:00The more experienced diners
10:02know that by unfolding
10:03the sides
10:04of these containers,
10:05you get a paper plate
10:06with the food
10:06already sitting on top.
10:08The lines on plastic
10:10solo cups
10:11can help you measure out
10:11liquids and non-liquids too.
10:13From the bottom up,
10:14those lines coincide
10:16with the measurements
10:16of 1,
10:175,
10:18and 12 ounces.
10:19The lower-most line
10:21is the perfect portion
10:22of mouthwash.
10:23The middle one
10:24is a serving of cereal
10:25for breakfast.
10:26And the top-most
10:27is the amount of water
10:28recommended to drink
10:29four to five times a day.
10:32Striped toothpaste
10:33will always come out
10:34in stripes
10:34even if you mash the tube
10:36with all your strength.
10:37No magic involved,
10:38though.
10:39The product is very dense
10:41and viscous,
10:41so it doesn't mix well.
10:43The white,
10:44blue,
10:44and red parts
10:45of the toothpaste
10:45are pushed down
10:46at an even rate
10:47thanks to their
10:48similar physical properties.
10:50And viscosity
10:51helps the stuff
10:52be pushed down
10:53and out
10:53from the edges first,
10:54so no matter
10:55how hard you try,
10:57there will always be
10:57those perfect stripes.
11:00Not every iPhone owner
11:01pays attention
11:02to an almost
11:03unnoticeable little hole
11:04between the camera
11:05and the flash.
11:07It's the gadget's
11:08second microphone.
11:09Its role is to block
11:10outside noises
11:11when you're filming a video.
11:13This microphone
11:14also makes the sound clearer.
11:15Use it when you're
11:16on the phone
11:16in a noisy place.
11:19Dental floss
11:19can slip out
11:20from your fingers
11:21and tangle.
11:21To avoid such problems,
11:23tear off a piece
11:24and floss
11:24and tie its two ends together.
11:26It will be much easier
11:27to use
11:28and won't hurt your hands.
11:31Most frying pans
11:32have holes in their handles.
11:33You can use it
11:34to hang the thing
11:34on a hook on the wall,
11:35but that's not
11:36its original purpose.
11:37When you're cooking
11:38something in the pan,
11:39the hole in the handle
11:40is there to hold
11:41your messy spoon.
11:43It's especially important
11:44for plastic utensils
11:45because you can't leave them
11:46in the pan for long
11:47since they can melt.
11:50Some toothpicks
11:51have several grooves
11:52on the blunt end.
11:53When you need to use one,
11:55break off the grooved end
11:56and put it on the table.
11:57It'll serve as a rest
11:59to keep your toothpick
12:00from touching the surface.
12:02You've probably noticed
12:03that most soft-rink lids
12:05have ridges
12:05and three bumps on them.
12:07With their help,
12:08the lid can turn
12:09into a coaster
12:09once you put it
12:10on the table
12:10and place the cup
12:11on top of it.
12:12No more spillage.
12:14Bath foam
12:15isn't only for fun
12:16or a nice smell.
12:17It also helps
12:19regulate the temperature.
12:21The bubbles
12:21keep the water hot
12:22so you can enjoy
12:23a bath a bit longer.
12:25Anyway,
12:26it works for acrylic
12:27bathtubs only.
12:28Those made of metal
12:28lose heat really fast
12:30either way.
12:31Almost all measuring tapes
12:33have a metal tip
12:34with a small slot
12:35on the end.
12:36You can use this slot
12:37to hang the tape
12:38on a nail
12:38or a screw
12:39to make measurements
12:40without anyone's help.
12:42Sometimes this tip
12:43has a row of sharp points
12:44along the edge
12:45on one side.
12:46That comes in handy
12:47when you want to leave a mark
12:48without using a pencil.
12:51A pack of cotton pads
12:53has those strings on it
12:54so we could hang it
12:55on some hook or holder.
12:57And no,
12:58there's no need
12:58to untighten
12:59and tighten the pack again.
13:00Look at the bottom
13:01of the pack.
13:02It has a perforated line.
13:04Tear along that
13:05and now you're good
13:06to pull out a cotton pad.
13:08A triple handle
13:09on a jerry can
13:10is there to make it easier
13:11for two people to carry it
13:12and distribute
13:13the fuel evenly.
13:14Gas cans often
13:15have a second hole
13:16that actually needs
13:17to be uncapped too
13:18before you pour the gas.
13:20The air passage
13:21will prevent it
13:22from pouring out.
13:23Lemons get juicier
13:25if you warm them up
13:26a little bit
13:26in the microwave.
13:27The heat softens
13:28the frozen membranes
13:29so the juice
13:30can flow out freely.
13:31More lemonade for you!
13:32When you buy
13:34some grated cheese
13:35get ready for a surprise.
13:36If the package says
13:38it contains cellulose
13:39it means that the cheese
13:40does contain wood pulp.
13:42Don't worry,
13:43it's digestible.
13:45It's added to prevent
13:46the product from clumping.
13:48The expiration date
13:50on mineral water
13:51isn't about water
13:52going bad.
13:53Actually,
13:53no water can spoil
13:55but the bottle can.
13:56Over time
13:57it starts leaking
13:58some chemicals
13:59that aren't quite safe.
14:01The spike in the cap
14:02of a tube of ointment
14:03or cream
14:03is there so you can
14:04puncture the tiny foil seal.
14:06No need to grab a toothpick
14:08or try to use your fingernails
14:09to peel it off.
14:11Post-it notes
14:12are supposed to be
14:13peeled off
14:13from the side
14:14like you're turning
14:15the page in a book.
14:16Most of us tear them
14:17from the bottom
14:18and that just creates
14:19a crease
14:19and makes the whole note
14:20less sticky.
14:23To prevent water
14:24from boiling over
14:25just lay a wooden spoon
14:26across the rim of the pot.
14:27It only works
14:28for a little while though.
14:29If the spoon's surface
14:30gets heated up
14:31to the boiling point
14:32the bubbles
14:33will just foam up
14:34and around it.
14:35That's why metal spoons
14:36won't do.
14:37They heat up too quickly.
14:39Some erasers
14:40have two colors
14:41and textures.
14:42Not for pen ink
14:43versus pencil lead
14:44but for different
14:45types of paper.
14:46You're supposed
14:47to use the blue side
14:48to remove pencil marks
14:49from heavy grades
14:50of paper.
14:52Most people
14:53use bobby pins
14:54upside down.
14:55The zigzagged part
14:56goes closer
14:57to your scalp.
14:57The texture
14:58keeps the hair
14:59and pin
14:59in place
15:00much better.
15:01And give your pins
15:02a spritz of hairspray
15:03before putting them in.
15:04They'll grip better.
15:06Ever notice
15:07the tiny second hole
15:08in the lid
15:08of your coffee travel mug
15:09or to-go cup?
15:11It's there
15:12to control
15:12how smoothly
15:13the liquid flows out
15:14from the drink hole.
15:15Without it
15:16the hot stuff
15:16would just glug out
15:17at you
15:18like milk from a jug.
15:19It also lets
15:20the steam escape
15:20so the high temperature
15:21and built-up pressure
15:22don't melt the lid
15:24or send it shooting off.
15:27Apples you buy
15:27at the supermarket
15:28were likely picked
15:29between August
15:30and November.
15:31After that
15:32they were covered
15:32in wax,
15:33hot air dried
15:34and stored
15:35in cool places.
15:36It takes the fruit
15:376 to 12 months
15:38to make it
15:39to fresh produce shelves.
15:41Sometimes
15:42you need to get away
15:43from your computer
15:44but don't want
15:44to keep logging back in.
15:46Put your mouse
15:47over the top
15:48of an analog watch.
15:49The mouse will perceive
15:50the ticking
15:51second hands movement
15:52and this will prevent
15:53your computer screen
15:54from turning black.
15:56When using a blender
15:57pour the liquids
15:58in it first.
15:59Only after adding
16:00your milk,
16:01coconut water
16:02or yogurt
16:02put the berries
16:03fruit
16:04or spinach inside.
16:06Thanks to the holes
16:07in the bottoms
16:08of earphones
16:08air can circulate
16:10up and down
16:10through the speakers.
16:11It results
16:12in increased
16:12low frequencies.
16:14This makes
16:15the bass sound
16:15deeper
16:16and improves
16:17the overall sound quality.
16:19You can use
16:20metal loops
16:20on the sides
16:21of a grocery cart
16:22to organize the space
16:23in your cart better.
16:24Hang your jacket
16:25on such a loop
16:26or put a bag
16:27of delicate items
16:28there like eggs
16:29or bread.
16:30This way your jacket
16:31won't get wrinkled
16:31and eggs
16:32won't get squished.
16:34The black lines
16:36on a basketball
16:36make the game
16:37easier to play.
16:39They're actually grooves
16:40helping you handle
16:41the ball.
16:42And since the players
16:43need to move
16:44around the court
16:44while dribbling
16:45or bouncing the ball
16:46control is crucial.
16:48The black lines
16:49allow you to grip
16:50the ball better.
16:51You can also
16:53easily steer it
16:54in any direction
16:55once it's in your hand.
16:56If the basketball
16:57was smooth
16:58you wouldn't be able
16:59to do it.
17:00By the way
17:00pebbled dots
17:01that cover the outside
17:02of the ball
17:03serve the same purpose.
17:04The drawer
17:05at the bottom
17:06of your stove
17:06is there to keep
17:07your dishes warm
17:08when you cook
17:09large amounts of food.
17:10When one dish
17:11is in the oven
17:12the already prepared
17:13ones are kept warm
17:14in the drawer below.
17:17Okay, today I'll show
17:18you things you've
17:19never seen
17:20and tell you
17:21stuff you never knew.
17:22Wow, all in one video!
17:24What a bargain!
17:25For example,
17:26these soda found stations
17:27in fast food restaurants.
17:29We all see
17:30the nice side of it,
17:31but have you ever
17:32wondered where
17:32all this soda comes from?
17:34Let me take you
17:35behind the scenes.
17:36Ta-da!
17:37Turns out it's a pile
17:39of boxes with tubes.
17:40So when the drink
17:41runs out,
17:42the employees change
17:43the box
17:43and plug the tube
17:44back in.
17:46Okay, let's peek
17:47into a couple more places
17:48where we normally
17:49don't belong.
17:51This is, for example,
17:52what you will see
17:53if you cut the screen
17:54of a Mac open.
17:56And here's what's hidden
17:57behind the dryers
17:58in a public laundromat.
18:00Today,
18:004 out of 5 households
18:02in the US
18:02have a dryer,
18:03but they weren't
18:04so widely accessible
18:05when they first appeared
18:06in the 1950s
18:07because they were
18:08way too expensive
18:10for the average homeowner.
18:11Now, grocery shopping
18:12isn't an uncommon practice,
18:14and we all have
18:15walked past dairy fridges
18:17a million times.
18:18But have you ever wondered
18:19what's behind them?
18:20Turns out,
18:21they're just shelves,
18:22and store employees
18:23stack the products
18:24from the other side.
18:25It makes perfect sense,
18:27but I never imagined
18:28it like this.
18:29Now, this photo shows
18:31what's behind
18:31the elevator button.
18:33Obviously,
18:33a bunch of cords.
18:35The buttons are all
18:36wired to a computer
18:37that manages
18:38the elevator.
18:38How does the computer
18:40know where the elevator
18:41is at a particular time?
18:43Well, there are
18:44several possible systems,
18:45but the most common one
18:46is a long vertical tape
18:48in the shaft
18:49with a series of holes.
18:50A sensor counts
18:52the number of holes
18:52that are passed,
18:53and that's how
18:54the location is determined.
18:56Okay,
18:57there are a couple
18:58of common things
18:59we all know,
19:00but the purpose of which
19:01remains a mystery to most.
19:03So, let me share
19:04these secrets with you.
19:06Those metal rivets
19:07on jeans
19:08have been there
19:08from the very beginning.
19:09Jacob Davis,
19:11the iconic man
19:12who made the first
19:13pair of jeans,
19:14added copper rivets
19:15to places where
19:16pants are most likely
19:17to rip.
19:18Today,
19:19they have more
19:19of a decorative
19:20and distinctive purpose
19:21since they are
19:22a traditional attribute
19:23of the jeans
19:24everyone knows of.
19:26Now, I'll bet
19:27you know there are
19:28extra loops
19:28on some shoes.
19:29No,
19:30they're not for sweat
19:31or ventilation.
19:32Those are extra loops
19:33for laces,
19:34just like other loops
19:35you use.
19:36But they're there
19:37to tie your shoe
19:38around the ankle
19:39to prevent your foot
19:40from moving aside.
19:41That's especially helpful
19:43if you're hiking
19:43and ascending
19:45and descending
19:45hills and trails.
19:47Now,
19:47have you ever noticed
19:48those half-belt thingies
19:50many coats
19:50and jackets
19:51have at the back?
19:52Turns out,
19:53they first appeared
19:54on oversized
19:54military jackets,
19:56so the extra fabric
19:57could be collected
19:58on the back
19:59and the person
19:59doesn't stumble
20:00when working.
20:01Today,
20:02those belts
20:02are only added
20:03for the sake
20:04of style
20:04and tradition.
20:06Most clothing items
20:07you buy
20:07come with a small
20:08bag of fabric
20:09or a button
20:10or both.
20:11These are actually
20:12not useless.
20:13Buttons obviously
20:14can't be replaced
20:15if you lost
20:16the original one.
20:17Pieces of fabric
20:18can serve two purposes.
20:20You can patch up
20:21the hole,
20:21but the main purpose
20:22is to provide you
20:23with a sample of cloth
20:25so you can use it
20:26to test different
20:27washing products
20:28on it
20:28and see what happens
20:29to the fabric.
20:30Now,
20:31pom-poms
20:32on woolen hats.
20:33Did you know
20:34that sailors
20:35were wearing hats
20:36with pom-poms
20:36in the 18th century
20:37to protect their heads
20:39in case they
20:40accidentally whacked them?
20:41Regular people
20:42were wearing them
20:43in Scotland
20:43and the color
20:44of the pom-pom
20:45signified the person's
20:47social status.
20:48People got back
20:49to wearing hats
20:50with those cute
20:50decorative items
20:51during the Great Depression.
20:52They're made of spare yarn,
20:54so it was a cheap way
20:55to decorate your hat.
20:57Now,
20:58if you haven't noticed,
20:59some sidewalks
21:00have little plates
21:01with bumps on them.
21:02Most people
21:03don't pay much attention
21:04to them,
21:04but they're very important
21:06for visually impaired people.
21:07It signals a slope
21:09that then leads
21:10to a crosswalk.
21:11Also,
21:12several patterns
21:13signal different things.
21:14Have you noticed
21:15that the icon
21:16of a gas tank
21:17on car dashboards
21:18has a little arrow
21:20next to it?
21:20Well,
21:21the arrow
21:21has a purpose.
21:22It points
21:23at the side of the car
21:24where the gas tank
21:25is located.
21:26Very useful
21:27for forgetful people
21:29like me
21:29who constantly wonder
21:31which side it is on
21:32and also
21:32for those
21:33who drive rentals
21:34once in a while.
21:35The answer
21:36is right in front
21:37of your eyes.
21:37If you can't find
21:38the arrow
21:39on your panel,
21:40then the fuel hose
21:41on the icon
21:41indicates the side instead.
21:44Now,
21:45on the back
21:45of many makeup
21:46and hygiene products,
21:47you'll find this symbol
21:49with a marking
21:49like 6M,
21:5012M,
21:51and 24M.
21:52This is the number
21:53of months
21:54this product
21:55can serve you
21:55before you should
21:56toss it out.
21:57You might know
21:58that whistles
21:59work perfectly fine
22:00even if they don't
22:02have that ball inside.
22:03And yet,
22:04they have it.
22:04But why?
22:06Even though there's
22:07a sound without the ball,
22:08the noise it creates
22:09is very flat
22:10and it's not
22:11distinguishable enough.
22:12When the whistle
22:13has a ball inside,
22:15then it starts moving
22:16with every blow,
22:17indicating different pitches
22:18and making the noise
22:19more noticeable.
22:21Lollipop sticks
22:22have those squared holes
22:24on the end of their sticks
22:25for a reason too.
22:26When the candy
22:27is put on the stick,
22:28some of it goes
22:29into the hole,
22:30fixating the candy part.
22:32This way,
22:33the candy ball
22:34or whatever shape
22:35is less likely
22:36to fall off the stick.
22:37Yeah,
22:38it's a bummer
22:38when that happens.
22:40Measuring tapes
22:40have that little
22:41metal stud
22:42on the end.
22:43Most people know
22:44that you can use it
22:45to stick it
22:46to the side
22:46of the surface
22:47you're measuring.
22:48But it's not
22:49the only cool thing
22:49about it.
22:50Look,
22:51there's also
22:51a small slot.
22:53And this slot
22:53can be used
22:54to hang it on a nail.
22:55Again,
22:56to free your hands
22:57and keep measuring.
22:58The bottom
22:59of the end
22:59of the tape
23:00has a ridged edge.
23:01It'll help you
23:02make a mark
23:03if you don't have
23:04a marking tool
23:04with you.
23:05Have you ever wondered
23:06why the tape's blade
23:07is curved?
23:08Well,
23:09it helps to keep it rigid
23:10when extended.
23:12Pay a closer look
23:13at the blade.
23:14Apart from numbers
23:15and markings,
23:16there are also
23:17black diamonds.
23:18Those are there
23:19every 12.2 inches,
23:21ridges,
23:21and they're useful
23:22for construction workers
23:23to space engineering joints.
23:26They can also
23:26be useful for you
23:28if you want to hang
23:28something heavy,
23:29for example.
23:30The diamond
23:31will mark the exact
23:32center of a stud
23:33which is placed
23:3416 inches apart
23:35from one another.
23:36And you can drill
23:37something to that center
23:39to make sure
23:39whatever you hang
23:41is safely attached.
23:42Now,
23:43most coins
23:44have ridges,
23:45and this is the legacy
23:46of the olden days.
23:47You see,
23:48back in the day,
23:49all coins were linked
23:50to a silver standard.
23:52The amount of silver
23:53used in a coin
23:54was proportionate
23:55to the value
23:55of the coin.
23:56So,
23:57the more actual silver
23:58was used to make the coin,
23:59the higher its value was.
24:01Hi-ho silver!
24:03Do you remember
24:04the Lone Ranger?
24:05Silver was the name
24:06of his horse.
24:07Eh,
24:07never mind.
24:08Anyway,
24:09all the coins
24:10had precious metal in them,
24:11and some people
24:12started shaving off
24:14a little bit of silver
24:15from it.
24:15It wasn't noticeable
24:17on one,
24:17but if done
24:18on several,
24:19people could get
24:20quite a bit
24:21of that precious metal.
24:22So,
24:23to prevent fraud,
24:24the edges were made
24:25with ridges
24:26for security reasons.
24:27So,
24:28if someone attempted
24:28to shave it off,
24:29the ridges would disappear,
24:31and no one would accept
24:32that coin anymore.
24:33Smart!
24:34Today,
24:35no one makes coins
24:36out of silver,
24:37the coins just
24:38represent the value.
24:39But the ridges
24:40are kind of a
24:41cultural heritage now.
24:42And finally,
24:43a typical plastic
24:44milk jug
24:45often has
24:46inverted circles,
24:47on one or more
24:48of the sides.
24:49Not like alien
24:50crop circles,
24:51this dimple is there
24:52to make the jug
24:53more resistant
24:54and to prevent it
24:55from erupting
24:56in case the jug
24:57falls on the floor.
24:58The dimple
24:59gives some more space
25:00for the liquid
25:01to expand.
25:02Also,
25:02as the expiration date
25:04approaches,
25:04the microbes
25:05in the milk
25:06start to expel
25:07some gases.
25:08As there are
25:08more of them
25:09trapped inside,
25:10the pressure
25:10in the jug
25:11is rising.
25:12The dimple
25:13takes care
25:13of the expansion
25:14and prevents
25:15the jug
25:15from exploding.
25:16And the cows
25:17are utterly delighted
25:19that their hard work
25:20is not wasted.
25:25Okay,
25:26I know it's kind of
25:26cold to the touch,
25:27especially on a
25:28freezing winter's day.
25:29But did you know
25:30that brass doorknobs
25:31actually serve a purpose
25:32apart from looking
25:33classy and shiny?
25:34Since it's a copper alloy,
25:36brass has antimicrobial
25:37properties.
25:38That means it can help
25:39get rid of harmful germs
25:40and bacteria,
25:41sometimes in up
25:42to two hours.
25:44In high traffic areas,
25:45that's all the more useful.
25:47But since brass
25:47is much costier
25:48than other metals
25:49like nickel and steel,
25:51you barely see
25:52these types of doorknobs
25:53anymore nowadays.
25:54Speaking of lovely
25:55multi-purpose items,
25:57most screwdrivers
25:58have a tiny little secret
25:59of their own.
26:00They can sometimes
26:01be slid through a wrench
26:02so that they can be used
26:03to create more torque
26:04when twisting.
26:05Not to mention
26:06the uses when it comes
26:07to bolts
26:07in hard-to-reach places.
26:10There's a reason
26:11why buttons
26:11on women's shirts
26:12are for the left-handed
26:13and it has nothing
26:14to do with fashion.
26:16This practice dates
26:17back to the times
26:18when chambermaids
26:19were helping ladies
26:20dress themselves
26:20and it was easier
26:22for them to perform
26:22their job
26:23with this orientation.
26:25Having the buttons
26:26placed as such
26:27indicated a sign
26:28of wealth,
26:29so it's easy to imagine
26:30why the practice
26:31carried on,
26:32even though most people
26:33dress themselves nowadays.
26:35Next time you receive
26:36a package in your mail,
26:37take a look
26:38at your box cutter.
26:39If it features
26:40some diagonal lines
26:41on the blade,
26:42you're in for a little
26:43design perk.
26:44Turns out that
26:45these are blades
26:45that snap off.
26:47Continuously cutting
26:48cardboard can dull
26:49the sharp edge
26:50of the blade.
26:50To help prevent
26:51the need to buy
26:52a brand new box cutter,
26:53the top segment
26:54along the next line
26:55can be broken off
26:56to reach a new
26:57sharp edge.
26:58To do this,
26:59check out the small hole
27:00at the base of the tool,
27:02sometimes called
27:03the blade snapper.
27:04The people that first
27:05came up with this
27:06brilliant invention
27:07were engineers
27:08inspired by the way
27:09chocolate bars
27:09are segmented.
27:11Hold on a minute,
27:12don't throw away
27:13the cardboard package
27:13just yet.
27:14Most likely,
27:15you'll have some
27:16silica gel packets
27:17somewhere at the bottom
27:18of the box.
27:19Since this gel
27:20is basically a drawing tool,
27:21it gathers up the moisture
27:22out of its environment,
27:23so you can store
27:24these packets
27:25for further occasions.
27:26Whether you'll need
27:27to dry out your phone
27:28or some other
27:29electrical object,
27:30you can place them
27:31in a container
27:32next to the silica gel
27:33to reduce the damage.
27:35You don't have to be
27:36a mechanic to know
27:37when a standard car tire
27:38needs replacing,
27:39since they come equipped
27:40with a neat indicator.
27:42Take a closer look,
27:43and you'll see that
27:44treads within the tire
27:45are a bunch of
27:46rubber notches.
27:47When the treads are
27:48evened out with
27:49the perpendicular bars,
27:51it's a sign you need
27:52to book an appointment
27:52with your local car service,
27:54since most likely
27:55the tires have lost
27:56most of their traction
27:57and may not be safe
27:59for driving any longer.
28:00The upper corners
28:02of a car windshield
28:03feature textured black dots
28:04melted into the glass edges.
28:06This neat add-on
28:07isn't there
28:08for design purposes.
28:09It's called
28:10Frit Glazing,
28:12which means
28:13that a special type
28:14of ceramic paint
28:15is added to the window
28:16for protecting its sealant
28:17from UV rays.
28:19It also conceals
28:20and creates a coarser surface
28:22for the adhesive used
28:23to set the window in place.
28:26Whenever you're up
28:27for a drive,
28:28check out
28:29if there's a small tab
28:30under your car's
28:31rear-view mirror.
28:32Bet you didn't know
28:33it's there to help
28:34switch the mirror
28:35from daytime
28:35to nighttime views.
28:37It uses a prismatic
28:39glass technology
28:40to blur the reflection
28:41and reduce the glare
28:42of headlights behind you
28:44in traffic.
28:45People came up
28:46with these manually
28:47tilted mirrors
28:48in the 1930s,
28:49but they became standard
28:50somewhere in the 1970s.
28:52While you're in the car,
28:54check out the headrests
28:55as you most likely
28:56don't know
28:57that they carry
28:57a little disguised purpose.
28:59Of course,
29:00they're adjustable
29:01to accommodate passengers
29:02of any height
29:03so that they get
29:03the proper support
29:04for their heads and necks.
29:06The hidden feature
29:07is that they are detachable
29:08and come with two
29:09very solid metal bars.
29:12Should you ever find yourself
29:13stuck in a car
29:14and need to make
29:15a fast getaway?
29:16These bars come in handy
29:18to crack out
29:18the car windows.
29:20So you're out for a drive
29:21and you're suddenly
29:22out of gas.
29:23What I'm about to describe
29:25sounds more like a meme
29:26than an actual situation
29:27bound to happen.
29:28But what if you're
29:29in such a hurry
29:30that you accidentally
29:31drive off
29:32with the gas nozzle
29:33still in the tank?
29:34Well, the nozzles
29:36have been designed
29:36to prevent any hazards
29:38from happening,
29:38rest assured.
29:39They feature
29:40a breakaway device
29:41that will allow
29:42the hose to separate
29:43when taken out
29:44with enough force.
29:46Initially designed
29:47in the early 20th century
29:48to be worn exclusively
29:49by basketball players,
29:51sneakers soon became
29:52one of those fashion fundamentals
29:54similar to jeans
29:55and leather jackets.
29:57If you take a closer
29:58look at them,
29:58you'll see they have
29:59two extra holes on the side
30:00similar to the shoelace holes.
30:02They're manufactured as such
30:04not only to provide
30:05extra ventilation
30:06but to allow people
30:07to get extra creative
30:08with their laces
30:09when wearing the shoes.
30:11Admit it,
30:12you've always thought
30:13that chopsticks
30:13are merged at the end
30:14for the sole purpose
30:15of keeping them together
30:16until you're ready
30:17to dig into your meal.
30:18That may or may not
30:20be the whole truth.
30:21Under a more detailed
30:23inspection,
30:24the wooden tools
30:24feature a square-shaped end.
30:26Chopsticks manufactured
30:27like this
30:28date back to an
30:29old Japanese
30:30traditional design
30:31which can help
30:32with breaking
30:32the ends easily.
30:34The separated end
30:35can then be used
30:36as a resting block
30:37for the chopsticks
30:38to keep it more sanitized
30:39in hopes it can be used again
30:41since they won't be
30:42touching the table
30:43or any other surface.
30:45Women's bikes
30:46have a special design
30:47which, surprisingly,
30:49has a historical
30:49and fashionable purpose.
30:51The lower frame
30:52is for the most part
30:53meant to make up
30:54for the generally
30:55shorter height of ladies
30:56compared to that
30:57of the average gentleman.
30:59While that is the case
31:00for handlebars and saddles,
31:02the overall frame
31:03is lower
31:03for an additional purpose.
31:05Way back when women
31:06wore long skirts
31:07and dresses all day,
31:08every day they needed
31:09to make sure their outfits
31:10wouldn't get caught
31:11in the frame.
31:12That's how we came up
31:14with a lower-framed bicycle,
31:15perfectly made for women
31:17and their needs
31:17at the time.
31:19The fact that
31:20toothpastes are multicolored
31:22is not just a nice perk
31:24to make dental hygiene
31:25more fun.
31:25There's a secret meaning
31:26related to each of the colors,
31:28which dates back
31:29to the 1970s.
31:31In those days,
31:32people grew more
31:33and more interested
31:34in their oral health care,
31:35and as such,
31:37they were looking for products
31:38which could do more
31:39than merely clean their teeth.
31:41One company
31:42was the pioneer
31:43in that regard,
31:44adding mouthwash
31:45to its toothpaste,
31:46meaning the blue strip.
31:47They later added on
31:48the red strip,
31:49meant to feature ingredients
31:51which helped with gum care.
31:53Speaking of toothpaste,
31:54check the cap
31:55next time you open a new tube.
31:56You may be in
31:57for a little surprise.
31:59There's a pointed cone shape
32:01inside the cap,
32:01so you can puncture
32:02the seal of the toothpaste
32:04without cutting yourself
32:05or ruining your manicure.
32:06Not to mention,
32:07it's more hygienic
32:08since you won't be able
32:09to transfer germs
32:10or other bacteria
32:12into the product itself.
32:14On the subject
32:15of bathroom countertop items,
32:17toothbrushes come
32:18with a neat add-on
32:19hidden in the bristle patterns.
32:21Apart from making
32:21the toothbrush look cooler,
32:23they also do come
32:24with a practical purpose.
32:26Most toothbrushes
32:27come with a pattern
32:28of blue bristles
32:29intertwined with white ones.
32:31The blue dye
32:31is meant to fade out,
32:33signaling the time
32:34when you need
32:34to replace your toothbrush.
32:36Dentists say
32:37that toothbrushes
32:38should be replaced
32:39every three to four months,
32:40but it does serve
32:41as a great reminder
32:42in case you forget.
32:44Still love playing
32:45with Lego?
32:46Don't judge.
32:47Hey, it's a great hobby
32:48for all ages.
32:49Notice there's a hole
32:50on top of the Lego heads?
32:52Behold, you're looking
32:53at a safety feature
32:54that the people at Lego
32:55designed to prevent
32:56choking hazards.
32:58The most dangerous issue
32:59should a person swallow
33:01any of these pieces
33:01is the blocking
33:02of the airways.
33:04Designing a hole
33:05inside the Lego head
33:06helps the air
33:07to flow freely
33:08through the piece
33:09until it can be removed safely.
33:11We're now used
33:12to all sorts
33:13of modern light bulbs,
33:14some tubular,
33:15some shaped like diamonds,
33:16and some even twisted
33:18all together.
33:20Historically,
33:20light bulbs were round
33:21and the initial shape
33:23served a purpose
33:23in itself.
33:25It was mainly connected
33:26to the fact
33:27that glass bulbs
33:27were hand-blown,
33:29which gave them
33:29the round shape
33:30to begin with.
33:31The hidden practical reason
33:32was that the light bulb filament
33:34needed to be
33:35at the same distance
33:36from every surface
33:37of the glass sphere.
33:37The easiest way
33:39to achieve this
33:40was to make the glass
33:41in the shape of a globe.
33:45Many shirts
33:46have two buttons
33:46on the cuffs,
33:47but only one buttonhole.
33:49So what is
33:50the second button for?
33:52Turns out
33:53you can use it
33:54whenever you're
33:55wearing a watch,
33:55so the cuff is looser.
33:58Most clothing items
33:59you buy
34:00come with a small bag
34:01of fabric
34:02or a button
34:03or both.
34:04Buttons obviously
34:05can be used
34:06as a replacement
34:07if you lose
34:07the original ones.
34:09Pieces of fabric
34:10can be used
34:10to patch up a hole,
34:12but most importantly,
34:13it's a tester.
34:14You can use it
34:15to test different
34:16washing products on it
34:17and see what happens
34:18to the fabric.
34:21Some umbrellas
34:22have a tip at the top,
34:23and it turns out
34:24it's not just
34:25a pretty design.
34:27When going inside
34:28on a rainy day,
34:29you should just
34:30close your umbrella
34:31and tap the tip
34:32against the floor
34:33to drain the water
34:34faster and more
34:35effectively.
34:37Many backpacks
34:38have this diamond
34:39with two parallel
34:40cutout slits
34:41on its front,
34:42and it's there
34:43for your comfort.
34:44You can attach
34:45something to it,
34:46like a water bottle
34:47or shoes.
34:48It comes especially
34:50handy if you travel
34:51somewhere
34:51or go hiking,
34:52so you don't have
34:53to hold your stuff.
34:56Okay,
34:57the next thing
34:57is gear loops,
34:58and probably
34:59from the name of it,
35:00you already have an idea
35:02what they're there for.
35:03You can strap in
35:04some useful gear
35:05you need to have
35:05with you,
35:06like trekking poles
35:07or shovels.
35:08Some gear will need
35:10to be secured
35:10to do it.
35:11Drop the handle
35:12through the loop
35:13and rotate it upward.
35:14Then,
35:15secure it with
35:16the elastic hook
35:16at the top,
35:17and you're golden.
35:20On the back
35:21of many makeup
35:22and hygiene products,
35:23you can find
35:24this symbol
35:25with a marking,
35:26like 6M,
35:2712M,
35:28and 24M.
35:30This is the number
35:31of months
35:32this product
35:32can serve
35:33after you open it
35:34and before
35:35you should throw it out.
35:37The two sides
35:38of a cotton pad
35:39are different
35:40because each of them
35:41has a particular purpose.
35:43A cotton pad
35:44has several layers
35:45to ensure
35:46that it's soft,
35:47strong,
35:48and can absorb liquids.
35:50The edge
35:50is stitched
35:51to hold it all together.
35:53The smooth side
35:54of a pad
35:55is for applying products,
35:56like tonics
35:57and lotions,
35:57and the embossed side
35:59is best for cleansing
36:00and makeup removal.
36:03Also,
36:04any pack of cotton pads
36:05has those strings
36:06on the sides.
36:07They're there
36:08so you can hang
36:09the package somewhere.
36:10Then,
36:11you can open the package
36:12at the bottom
36:13where the perforated line is
36:15and take them out.
36:17Did you know
36:18that there is an efficient way
36:19to pull a thread
36:20from yarn?
36:21When you pull
36:22from the outside,
36:23the yarn rolls away
36:24so you need to hold it.
36:26However,
36:26if you pull it
36:27from the center,
36:28it will stay together.
36:31We're all familiar
36:32with staplers,
36:33but I bet you
36:34don't know
36:34all its secrets.
36:36Most staplers
36:37have a compartment
36:38to store spare staples,
36:40which can be located
36:41either on top
36:42or at the bottom.
36:44Also,
36:45surprise!
36:45This metal plate
36:46you press staples against
36:47can be turned around.
36:49This way,
36:50the device
36:50will be able
36:51to staple your documents
36:52by turning
36:53the metal ends
36:54outwards.
36:56No need to wonder
36:57whether you need
36:58to get a smaller
36:59or bigger container.
37:00Turns out,
37:01plastic food containers
37:02have volume measurements
37:03on their bottoms,
37:04indicating how much food
37:06they can fit.
37:08Ceiling fans
37:09come with a small switch
37:10on the inside
37:11of the blade.
37:12You might not have noticed it
37:13because it's not
37:14in plain sight,
37:15so check yours out.
37:17This switch
37:18allows you to change
37:19the direction
37:19of rotation.
37:20Now,
37:21why would you
37:22want to do that?
37:23The blades of a fan
37:25push the air
37:25in different directions
37:27depending on the way
37:28they rotate.
37:29In the summer,
37:30you need the air
37:31to be pushed down
37:32to create the effect
37:33of a breeze.
37:35In the winter,
37:36the direction
37:36should be changed
37:37so that the air
37:38is pushed towards
37:39the ceiling.
37:40It then heats up
37:42before going down
37:43the walls.
37:45Have you noticed
37:46that the gas tank sign
37:47on cars' dashboards
37:49has a little arrow
37:50next to it?
37:51Well,
37:52this arrow
37:52has a purpose.
37:54It points
37:55at the side
37:55of the car
37:56where the gas tank
37:57is located.
37:58It's very useful
37:59for forgetful people
38:00who constantly wonder
38:01where the gas tank is
38:02and also for those
38:04who drive rentals
38:05once in a while.
38:06The answer
38:06is right in front
38:07of your eyes.
38:08If you can't find
38:10the arrow
38:10on your panel,
38:11then the fuel hose
38:12on the icon
38:13indicates the side
38:14instead.
38:17All car tires
38:18have 12-digit numbers
38:19printed on them
38:20and they're actually
38:21important codes
38:22for car owners
38:23if they want to get
38:24the right tire.
38:25The first letter
38:27identifies the type
38:28of tire.
38:29P stands for
38:30a tire for light
38:31passenger cars
38:32and LT is for
38:34heavy vehicles.
38:35Then,
38:36the following numbers
38:37stand for the width
38:38of the tire,
38:39its radial,
38:40and its diameter.
38:43Measuring tapes
38:44have that metal stud
38:45on the end
38:45which you can use
38:47to attach the tape
38:48to the surface
38:48you measure.
38:49This way,
38:50you don't need
38:50to hold it yourself.
38:52But there's also
38:53a small slot
38:54which can be used
38:55to hang the tape
38:56on a nail.
38:57Again,
38:57to free your hands
38:59and keep measuring.
39:00The bottom of the end
39:02of the tape
39:03has a ridged edge.
39:04It will help you
39:05make a mark
39:06if you don't have
39:07a marking tool
39:08with you.
39:10On the tape,
39:11there are black diamonds
39:12that are placed
39:12every 19.2 inches.
39:15They're useful
39:16for construction workers
39:17when spacing
39:18engineering joists.
39:19They can also be useful
39:21for you
39:22if you want to hang
39:23something heavy,
39:23for example.
39:24The diamond will mark
39:26the exact center
39:27of a wooden joist.
39:28Those are placed
39:2916 inches apart
39:31from one another.
39:32There,
39:32you can drill something
39:34to that center
39:34to make sure
39:35whatever you hang
39:36is safely attached
39:37to the joist
39:38instead of the
39:39unreliable thin wall.
39:41Pictures will survive,
39:42but it's particularly
39:43important if you're
39:44hanging something heavy.
39:47Did you know
39:48that batteries
39:49have an expiration date?
39:51Yes,
39:52it's printed
39:52right on their label,
39:54but I've never
39:54noticed it before.
39:56The expiration date
39:57doesn't mean
39:58you can't use it
39:59after that.
40:00It's more like
40:01a recommended usage period,
40:03after which
40:04the manufacturer
40:05can't guarantee
40:06full battery life
40:08due to deteriorated
40:09components.
40:12These little feet
40:13keyboards have
40:14are actually
40:15a standard.
40:17The height
40:17of a keyboard
40:18should be adjustable,
40:20allowing the angle
40:21between 0 degrees
40:22and 15 degrees.
40:24The reason
40:25to fold the feet
40:26out
40:27is for you
40:28to see the keys
40:29better,
40:29in case you don't
40:30type blindly.
40:31A little problem
40:33that comes with it
40:34is that,
40:35in this case,
40:36your wrists are bent,
40:38and it's not good
40:39to keep them
40:39in this position
40:40for a long time.
40:43Pans have those holes
40:45on the ends
40:45of their handles.
40:46They're not just there
40:48for you to hang them.
40:49You can also place
40:50your cooking spoon
40:51in there.
40:52It'll hang
40:53right above the pan,
40:55and the sauce
40:56will not spill around.
40:57Make sure to tap off
40:59the sauce
41:00or food beforehand,
41:01though,
41:02so that it doesn't
41:03go down the spoon's handle.
41:06Stickers with numbers
41:07you can find on fruits
41:09can tell you
41:10some information
41:11on how the food
41:12was grown.
41:14A four-digit code
41:15that starts with a four
41:17means that the fruit
41:19was grown conventionally,
41:20meaning it contains
41:22chemicals and pesticides.
41:24So your best choice
41:26should be a fruit
41:27with a five-digit number.
41:28And if you see
41:30the number nine,
41:31it indicates
41:32that the fruit
41:33is certified organic.
41:36On the bottom
41:37of plastic bottles,
41:38you can often notice
41:40a mark of a triangle
41:41with a number
41:42engraved in the middle.
41:45This number
41:45specifies the type
41:47of plastic
41:48that was used
41:49to produce the bottle.
41:51These codes
41:52help people
41:52and local recycling centers
41:54to sort returns.
41:56products that were made
41:58of plastic
41:59of types 1
42:00and 2
42:01are the easiest
42:02ones to recycle.
42:04Plastics of types
42:053 through 7
42:06are tougher
42:07to recycle.
42:10Leaving your valuables
42:12or a chocolate bar
42:13in a car
42:13is a no-brainer.
42:15But there are
42:16other things
42:17people often overlook.
42:18Here's what to watch out
42:19for before leaving
42:20your car.
42:22Number 1
42:23is aerosol cans.
42:24Hairspray,
42:25deodorant,
42:26spray paint,
42:27household cleaner
42:28and that sort.
42:29On the back
42:30of these cans,
42:30you might notice
42:31a storage temperature
42:32recommendation.
42:33Well,
42:33stick to that.
42:35Here's what can happen.
42:37Since these cans
42:38are pressurized,
42:39they become more
42:40sensitive to temperature.
42:41What's inside
42:42the aerosol
42:43may expand
42:43and this may result
42:45in a crack
42:45and then
42:46the can can blow up.
42:48Temperatures above
42:49100 degrees Fahrenheit
42:50are already alarming
42:52and it can easily
42:53get as hot as that
42:54in your car
42:54on a warm summer day.
42:57Researchers from the USA
42:59have figured out
42:59how long it takes
43:00a car
43:01to turn into
43:02a sweat factory
43:03on a hot day.
43:07Within 1 hour,
43:08the insides of the car
43:09parked in the sun
43:10reaches 95 degrees Fahrenheit
43:12or hotter
43:13with an average temperature
43:14of 116 degrees Fahrenheit.
43:18So,
43:18if you want your car
43:19in one piece
43:20and running,
43:21take aerosol cans
43:22with you.
43:24The second item
43:26is sunscreen.
43:28Sunscreen is vital
43:30for your skin
43:30since it decreases
43:31the risk
43:32of skin complications
43:33and prevents skin aging
43:34caused by the sun.
43:36This includes wrinkles,
43:38sagging,
43:39and age spots.
43:40But when you leave
43:41sunscreen in your car,
43:43it gets exposed
43:44to high temperatures
43:45and it can ultimately
43:46shorten its shelf life.
43:47If you end up
43:48finding spoiled sunscreen,
43:50you might notice
43:51a funny smell
43:52when you open the cap.
43:53Plus,
43:54the heat might cause
43:54the cap to open
43:55and the sticky substance
43:57will get all over the car.
43:59The same rule
44:00applies to lipsticks
44:01and other cosmetics
44:02as well.
44:04The next one
44:05is plastic bottles.
44:07There are two reasons
44:09why you shouldn't
44:09leave them inside your car.
44:11Firstly,
44:12a plastic water bottle
44:13can act as a lens,
44:15magnifying the sun's rays
44:17and starting a fire.
44:18A fire department
44:20in Oklahoma
44:20conducted an experiment
44:22and confirmed
44:23that the danger
44:24of fire was real.
44:25David Richardson
44:26from that department
44:28says it can happen
44:29if the beam of light
44:30is focused enough.
44:32The second reason
44:33is related to your health.
44:34Many plastic bottles
44:35contain bisphenol,
44:37a potentially toxic compound.
44:39The BPA levels
44:40can increase
44:41at high temperatures
44:42and that can be harmful
44:43to your body.
44:44There's a chance
44:45that this chemical
44:46can get into your drink
44:47after you leave the bottle
44:49inside the vehicle.
44:51Oh,
44:52and batteries.
44:53They could lose
44:54their capacity
44:54to work at full power
44:56when they're left
44:56abandoned in the car.
44:58You can buy a new pair
44:59and fix this problem,
45:01but it won't be as easy
45:02to solve the problem
45:03of leakage or a rupture.
45:05It can be bad
45:06for your health
45:06because battery acid
45:08is dangerous
45:08when inhaled
45:09and highly corrosive.
45:11The reason for leakage
45:13is again
45:13related to high temperatures.
45:16Battery manufacturers
45:17recommend keeping
45:18their products
45:18at room temperature.
45:21This fact
45:22is partially related
45:23to batteries.
45:24It's about electronics.
45:26Have you ever realized
45:27how hot your phone
45:28can get
45:29when it's exposed
45:29to the sun?
45:30You're driving
45:31and let's say
45:32looking at the GPS
45:33on your phone.
45:34Even in this situation,
45:36your phone can heat up.
45:38What will happen to it
45:39after hours
45:40of sun exposure?
45:41Phone companies
45:42are strongly against
45:43customers leaving
45:44their devices
45:45in vehicles
45:46because they might
45:46shut down,
45:47get damaged,
45:48or, you know,
45:49boom!
45:52Personal belongings
45:53are another priority
45:54on the list.
45:55A wallet
45:56or a handbag
45:57may come to one's mind first.
45:59Yet,
45:59a passport
46:00or even some change
46:01you leave near
46:02the passenger seat
46:03is sometimes enough
46:04to attract a thief.
46:05Better to keep
46:06such stuff
46:07out of sight,
46:08for example,
46:09by storing it
46:10in the trunk
46:10instead of leaving it
46:11in the back seat.
46:14Number 7
46:15is also related
46:16to theft.
46:17Life can be
46:18too hectic sometimes,
46:19and it's understandable
46:21if you can't clean
46:22your car frequently.
46:23But leaving garbage
46:24in the car
46:24is another mistake.
46:26Thieves tend to search
46:27for messy-looking cars.
46:28They think that the owner
46:30doesn't use
46:31such a vehicle frequently.
46:34How about plants?
46:36I know,
46:37it isn't that common
46:38to keep plants
46:39in the car
46:39on a daily basis,
46:40but sometimes
46:42you need to move them.
46:43The heat inside the vehicle
46:45can easily dehydrate
46:46the poor thing.
46:49Medications are
46:50another thing
46:50you shouldn't keep
46:51in the car
46:51for too long.
46:53The constantly
46:54changing temperatures
46:55inside the vehicle
46:56can decrease
46:56the effectiveness
46:57of your pills.
46:59Authorities recommend
47:00keeping most medications
47:01at 59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit
47:04in a cool
47:05and dry place.
47:07Important documents
47:09that contain
47:09your personal data
47:10shouldn't be left
47:11in the vehicle either.
47:12Some examples
47:14of such documents
47:15are tax forms,
47:16financial statements
47:17and school transcripts.
47:19A thief could commit
47:20fraud or identity theft
47:21using this valuable information.
47:25And there's also
47:26food and drinks.
47:28Experts recommend
47:29not leaving groceries
47:30or leftovers
47:31in a warm car
47:32for more than two hours
47:33or only an hour
47:35when it's over
47:3590 degrees Fahrenheit.
47:37The same rule applies
47:38in the winter too.
47:40Canned foods,
47:41for example,
47:42have a high risk
47:43of going bad
47:44if a can of sweet peas,
47:46let's say,
47:46gets frozen in the car.
47:48The effect
47:49will be similar
47:49to what would happen
47:50to soda.
47:51Let it thaw
47:52in the refrigerator
47:53instead of leaving it
47:54at room temperature.
47:55If the product
47:56doesn't look
47:57or smell normal,
47:58throw it away
47:59in a place
47:59where not even
48:00an animal can find it.
48:02Don't try to taste it,
48:03just trust your senses.
48:05If the item
48:06seems rusted
48:07or there are some
48:08cracks in the can,
48:08it should end up
48:10in the trash too.
48:11Eggs are another example.
48:13Normally,
48:14eggs shouldn't be frozen.
48:15But let's suppose
48:16you forgot one grocery bag
48:18in the trunk of the car
48:19and the weather
48:19was so cold at night
48:20that the eggs
48:21got frozen.
48:22Keep the eggs
48:23in the refrigerator
48:24before use.
48:25They should be hard cooked.
48:26It's your only option.
48:28You see,
48:29freezing causes the yolk
48:30to become thick
48:31and syrup-like.
48:32It loses that natural flow
48:34and doesn't mix well
48:35with other ingredients.
48:38You shouldn't leave
48:39your pets alone
48:40in the car,
48:41obviously,
48:42and not just because
48:43of a potential rise
48:44in temperature.
48:45They will feel
48:46uncomfortable without you,
48:48their best friend,
48:48accompanying them.
48:50In their frustration,
48:51they might do something
48:52to get noticed,
48:53which can be,
48:54for example,
48:55ruining the interior
48:56of the vehicle.
48:58Now let's return
48:59to the winter season again.
49:01If possible,
49:02keep the gas tank
49:03of your car
49:03over half full.
49:04This can prevent
49:05the fuel lines
49:06from freezing.
49:07It also makes it
49:08easier to start
49:09the engine
49:09and hit the road
49:10in the morning.
49:11While keeping an eye
49:12on the fuel bar,
49:13it might be a good idea
49:14to glance
49:15at the tire pressure, too.
49:17The cold can result
49:18in tire pressure drops.
49:22Not only high,
49:23but also low temperatures
49:24can damage some items.
49:26A good example
49:27is paint cans.
49:28They should be quickly
49:29taken out of the vehicle
49:31in the winter.
49:31The ingredients
49:32in the paint
49:33can experience expansion,
49:35separation,
49:35and clumping
49:36due to the cold.
49:38In other words,
49:39you won't be able
49:40to use this paint anymore.
49:43Weather also affects
49:44wooden musical instruments
49:45like violins
49:46or guitars.
49:48Changes in temperature
49:49and humidity
49:49can cause wooden instruments
49:51to warp,
49:52crack,
49:52or split.
49:55Glasses get affected
49:56by fluctuating temperatures, too.
49:58In a hot car,
49:59plastic frames can bend.
50:01Or plastic can become brittle
50:03when it's very cold.
50:04This makes glasses
50:06prone to breaking.
50:08Don't leave house keys
50:09and garage door openers
50:10inside the car.
50:11This is an everyday practice
50:13for many people,
50:14but it's risky.
50:15They can get into
50:16the wrong hands.
50:18To listen to music,
50:20most people connect
50:21their phones to the car
50:22or listen to the radio.
50:24CDs are getting less
50:25and less used these days,
50:27but don't leave them
50:28in the car anyway.
50:29They might get warped,
50:30and you won't be able
50:31to use them anymore.
50:33Can you think of any other items
50:35you shouldn't leave in the car?
50:38Did you know
50:38that you can actually
50:40inflate a balloon
50:41without using your lungs?
50:43All you need
50:43is a plastic bottle,
50:45vinegar,
50:46baking soda,
50:46a funnel,
50:47a rubber band,
50:49and a balloon,
50:50of course.
50:51First,
50:52pull some baking soda
50:53into the balloon
50:54using your funnel.
50:56And now,
50:57pour the vinegar
50:58into the bottle.
50:59You don't need a lot.
51:01Just fill about
51:02a third of the bottle.
51:03Let's go ahead
51:04and put the balloon
51:05over the bottle.
51:07But don't tip the soda
51:08inside the vinegar yet.
51:10Secure the balloon
51:11with a rubber band
51:12and tip it over
51:13to make the soda
51:14fall into the vinegar.
51:15And now,
51:16you can step back
51:17and enjoy the show.
51:19When the baking soda
51:20and the vinegar
51:20are mixed together,
51:22they release CO2
51:23that will inflate the balloon.
51:26You can use
51:27the inflated balloon
51:28to show your friends
51:29another trick.
51:30Grab a comb
51:31and rub it
51:31on the surface
51:32of the balloon.
51:33Now,
51:34you can bend
51:34the water flow
51:35in your sink
51:36with static electricity
51:37using your brand new
51:38electrified comb.
51:40Just don't try
51:41brushing your hair.
51:43Can you really
51:44pierce a balloon
51:45without popping it?
51:46The answer
51:47is yes.
51:49You're going to need
51:50a skewer
51:50or a long needle,
51:52a balloon,
51:53petroleum jelly,
51:53and some courage.
51:55Scratch the balloon
51:56with your fingers
51:57and make it
51:58more flexible.
51:59Now,
51:59blow steadily
52:00into the balloon.
52:02Stop before blowing
52:03it to the full size.
52:04This will make the trick
52:05easier to perform.
52:07Put some petroleum jelly
52:08on the needle.
52:09Now,
52:10find this darker area
52:12near the knot
52:12where the balloon
52:13is less stretched
52:14and just pierce it
52:15all the way through
52:16the top,
52:17like this.
52:18Balloons are made up
52:20of polymer chains.
52:21They're so tiny
52:22that they seem invisible
52:23to the human eye.
52:24This trick works
52:25because the polymer chains
52:26are less stretched
52:27on the neck
52:28of the balloon.
52:29It was enough room
52:31to allow the needle
52:32in between the chains
52:33without breaking them.
52:34But if you try
52:35the same technique
52:36on the sides
52:37of the balloon,
52:37it will definitely pop.
52:40By the way,
52:42hairspray actually helps
52:43keep the air
52:44in the balloon longer
52:45by sealing the surface.
52:46But if you apply
52:48hairspray
52:48on the outside
52:49of the balloon
52:49and then touch it
52:50when it's not yet dry,
52:52the balloon will shrivel.
52:53Isn't it magic?
52:57Beware!
52:58Our next trick
52:59can make you
52:59question gravity.
53:01Pour some plain water
53:02into a glass bottle.
53:04Not much,
53:05about a quarter.
53:06Put the bottle
53:07in the microwave
53:08for a minute.
53:09Meanwhile,
53:10prepare a bowl
53:11with colored water
53:12to make the trick
53:13more visual.
53:14Take the bottle
53:15out of the microwave,
53:16turn it upside down
53:17and pour it
53:18into the colored water.
53:20The bottle will soon
53:21begin to fill
53:22with water.
53:23Can you guess why?
53:25The air expands
53:26when it's heated.
53:27The bottle
53:28and the air
53:28began to cool down
53:29and the air contracted
53:31which caused
53:32the water to move.
53:35Not only wizards
53:36can make things disappear.
53:38Fill a plastic container
53:39or transparent glass
53:41with sunflower oil.
53:43Dip a glass rod
53:44inside the oil.
53:46Can you see it now?
53:48Oil and glass
53:49bend light
53:50the same way
53:50because they have
53:51almost equal
53:52refractive indexes.
53:54Therefore,
53:54it's impossible
53:55to see how the wand
53:56bends light
53:57inside the oil.
53:59To make this trick
54:00even more epic,
54:02pour equal parts
54:03of water and oil
54:04inside a glass
54:05and dip the glass rod
54:06inside it.
54:08You'll see it
54:09in the water
54:09but it will disappear
54:11inside the oil.
54:13Have you seen
54:14this epic
54:15instant freezing trick?
54:16Here's how you can
54:17repeat it at home.
54:19Grab a small plastic
54:20bottle of clean
54:21drinking water.
54:22Leave it for about
54:244 hours
54:24to bring it
54:25to room temperature.
54:26And now,
54:27put it into a freezer
54:28and wait for
54:29an hour and a half.
54:30After that,
54:31take it out
54:32very carefully.
54:34Try not to shake
54:35it at all.
54:36Now,
54:36hit the bottle strongly
54:37or shake it
54:38and see what happens.
54:41Not only is red cabbage
54:43rich in fiber
54:44and vitamins,
54:44but it's also
54:45pretty useful
54:46for homemade
54:47scientific experiments.
54:49Boil red cabbage
54:50in pure water
54:51and wait until
54:52the water gets colored.
54:54Red cabbage
54:55contains a chemical
54:56called anthocyanin.
54:58It changes color
54:59when it's mixed
55:00with an acid
55:01or a base.
55:02That's why
55:03if you mix your cabbage
55:04with water
55:04with different ingredients,
55:05you'll get
55:06different colors.
55:08Bases like soda
55:09will make it blue,
55:10but acids
55:11on the contrary
55:12will create
55:13reddish colors.
55:14You can prove it
55:15by adding some lemon juice
55:16to your cabbage water.
55:17The water
55:18will become pinkish.
55:21And if you add vinegar,
55:23you'll get an even more
55:24vibrant pink color.
55:26If you have a juicer,
55:27you can try the same experiment
55:29with red cabbage juice.
55:31Initially,
55:32it will have
55:32a more vivid purple color,
55:34but under the influence
55:35of additional liquids,
55:37the color will change.
55:39Can you guess
55:39which color
55:40you'll end up with
55:41if you mix cabbage juice
55:42with bleach?
55:43It's almost transparent,
55:45but still has
55:46a greenish-yellow tinge.
55:49The next trick
55:50is very trendy
55:51among artists.
55:52Here's what you're
55:53going to need.
55:54Liquid soap,
55:55cotton buds,
55:56milk,
55:56and acrylic paints.
55:58You can use food coloring
55:59for this tip.
56:01Pour a little bit of milk
56:02into a wide bowl
56:03or a plate.
56:04You don't need a lot.
56:06Then,
56:07put a few drops
56:07of paint
56:08into the milk
56:08and now dip
56:10a cotton bud
56:11covered with soap.
56:12The patterns
56:13will begin to change.
56:14That's because
56:15the fatty molecules
56:16in the milk
56:17get attracted
56:18to the molecules
56:18of soap.
56:20When you're satisfied
56:21with the pattern,
56:22you can put
56:22a sheet of paper
56:23on top of the milk
56:24and voila,
56:26your abstract masterpiece
56:27is ready.
56:29In fact,
56:30this technique
56:31is related
56:31to an ancient
56:32paper marbling
56:33called ebry.
56:35Artists created
56:36colorful patterns
56:37by sprinkling
56:37and brushing
56:38color pigments
56:39on a pan
56:39of oily water
56:40and then transformed
56:42those patterns
56:42on paper.
56:45Friction helps
56:46people walk
56:47on the road
56:47instead of sliding
56:48on it
56:48and it also allows
56:50us to perform
56:50this cool experiment
56:52called floating rice.
56:55Fill a small
56:56plastic bottle
56:57with rice.
56:58You can use a funnel
56:59to make the task
56:59easier.
57:00Shake the rice
57:01for a while
57:01and now
57:02try to push
57:03a chopstick
57:04or a pencil
57:05inside the bottle.
57:06If you did
57:07everything right,
57:08the stick will
57:08get stuck
57:09in the rice.
57:10You can also
57:11try using
57:11different types
57:12of grains
57:13and see what happens.
57:15Have you ever
57:16tried to put
57:17an ice cube
57:17into oil?
57:18Well,
57:19you can try today.
57:20It will create
57:21these cute little drops
57:22that will fall
57:23into the bottom
57:24of the glass
57:24because they're
57:25heavier than oil.
57:29Here's an
57:29easy way
57:30to stick
57:30an ice cube
57:31to a string
57:32without any glue.
57:33Place an ice cube
57:34in water.
57:35Put a piece
57:36of string
57:37on top
57:37and sprinkle
57:38it with salt.
57:39You don't need much
57:40otherwise the ice
57:41will dissolve.
57:42A pinch
57:43is enough.
57:44Wait for one minute
57:46and then gently
57:47pull the string.
57:48And there you go.
57:49The ice has stuck
57:50to the string.
57:53For this experiment,
57:54you're going to need
57:55an empty,
57:56clean soda can.
57:57Turn on the kettle
57:58and wait until
57:59it begins to boil.
58:01Carefully hold
58:01the can over the kettle
58:03using kitchen tongs.
58:05It will help fill it
58:06with hot steam.
58:07When the can
58:08is full of steam,
58:09give it an ice bath.
58:11You can put it
58:12into a bowl
58:12with cold water
58:13and ice cubes.
58:15The can should
58:16wrinkle up right away.
58:17That's because
58:18the volume
58:19inside the can
58:20decreases,
58:21reducing its pressure
58:22and allowing
58:22the external pressure
58:24to crush the can.
58:26The next trick
58:27is also about
58:28air pressure.
58:29You're going to need
58:30a glass bottle,
58:31a small piece of paper,
58:32a lighter
58:33and a peeled,
58:34boiled egg.
58:35The diameter
58:36of the bottleneck
58:37should be less
58:38than the width
58:38of the egg
58:39and it's important
58:41to use glass
58:41because plastic
58:42can melt.
58:44Now carefully
58:45light the paper,
58:47let it burn
58:47a little bit
58:48and drop it
58:49inside the bottle.
58:50Put the egg
58:51on the neck
58:52of the bottle.
58:53It should begin
58:53to bounce
58:54and soon
58:55the pressure
58:56of air
58:56will push the egg
58:58into the bottle.