Sometimes the difference between an ordinary object and a brilliantly designed one comes down to one tiny detail most people completely overlook.
In this video, we uncover 50 hidden features, clever design details, unexpected functions, and mysterious parts found on ordinary everyday things.
A tiny tab, hole, button, groove, switch, or moving piece can completely change how an object works — if you actually know what it's for.
Some of these details have been sitting right in front of you for decades.
Once you notice them, you can't unsee them.
#HiddenFeatures #EverydayThings #CleverDesign #HiddenSecrets #ThingsYouDidntKnow
In this video, we uncover 50 hidden features, clever design details, unexpected functions, and mysterious parts found on ordinary everyday things.
A tiny tab, hole, button, groove, switch, or moving piece can completely change how an object works — if you actually know what it's for.
Some of these details have been sitting right in front of you for decades.
Once you notice them, you can't unsee them.
#HiddenFeatures #EverydayThings #CleverDesign #HiddenSecrets #ThingsYouDidntKnow
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FunTranscript
00:00If you've traveled to Europe recently, you may have noticed how nasty the bottle caps have become.
00:05Yeah, according to the law, they now have to scratch your nose.
00:09Oops, sorry, they have to be attached right to the bottle.
00:12If these bottles annoy you too, try this.
00:15Once you open the bottle, rotate the cap 90 degrees and pull until one of the plastic connections breaks.
00:22And finally, turn the bottle until the cap touches your chin, not your nose, and drink.
00:28You've been using the colander in the wrong way all this time.
00:32This smart kitchen device has a hidden function.
00:35The traditional way of draining noodles involves dumping boiled noodles into a colander, right?
00:40But if your colander is about the same size as your pot, try this instead.
00:45Place the colander on top of the pot with the noodles, like a lid, and drain the water out.
00:51This method is faster and less messy, and it keeps your noodles in the pot where they belong.
00:58Toilet plungers and sink plungers are quite different, and the toilet version has a handy rubber flap called a flange
01:05that pops out from the cup.
01:07This flange fits snugly over toilet drains, giving you strong suction to tackle stubborn clogs.
01:15While a sink plunger won't help with toilet troubles, the toilet plunger can work on your sink or tub.
01:20Just make sure to keep that flap tucked inside the cup.
01:24And don't forget to give it a thorough clean with bleach before switching from toilet to sink use.
01:29You definitely don't want to mix things up.
01:32If you still work in an office, next time you print out something, make sure to check out this stapler
01:38built right into the printer.
01:40It can staple all the documents that fit in the slot at the same time.
01:44By the way, it's not something new.
01:46Such printers have been around since the 90s.
01:50Why buy a ruler and spend your hard-earned dollars if you can simply use a dollar bill to measure
01:57whatever you want?
01:58Only as long as this whatever is somewhere around 6 inches.
02:02A dollar bill is just about this size.
02:06Even though many people are sure that those tiny holes on the bottom left side of your iPhone are the
02:12speaker, they're actually a microphone.
02:14And speaking of iPhones, if you've got one of the latest models and your phone is out of juice but
02:20there's no socket to be found nearby, here's a nifty trick.
02:23Grab a double-ended charger cord and connect it to another iPhone 15.
02:29Boom! Your phone gets a little power boost.
02:32I bet you've noticed that the hook on a tape measure is a little loose.
02:36Well, that's intentional.
02:38The hook moves just enough to account for its own thickness, ensuring both inside and outside measurements are accurate.
02:45So, if you ever thought it was broken, nope, it's just doing its job.
02:49As for the hole at the end, it's replacing the tape on the edge of a nail to get measurements
02:54from odd spots.
02:57The pockets on new suits are sewn shut to keep the jacket's shape during transportation and display.
03:03Of course, you can unpick them to use the pockets, but you need to be careful with what you put
03:08there.
03:09Anything heavy can easily distort the suit's shape.
03:12The important thing, though, is to remember to cut the threads holding the back vents together for better movement and
03:18comfort.
03:18Oh, and remember to cut those tacky stitches that fasten your new coat's vent, that flap on the back.
03:26Now, that sink squeegee thing actually hides a big secret.
03:30It can store water.
03:32Many sink squeegees have tiny holes that allow water to stay inside.
03:37But why would we need that water?
03:39Oh, you can release it as you squeegee, which will help you rinse the sink as you clean it.
03:46Here's a travel tip that will help you understand U.S. highways.
03:50In the U.S., highways with even numbers run east-west, and those with odd numbers run north-south.
03:57If a highway number starts with an odd digit, it's a spur, which means it doesn't reconnect to the main
04:03highway.
04:04If it starts with an even digit, it's a loop around or through a city that eventually reconnects with the
04:10main highway.
04:10And finally, numbers divisible by 5 are major highways meant for cross-country travel.
04:19Your iPhone camera can also translate laundry symbols, identify plants, and even recognize some bird species.
04:27It's like having a mini-encyclopedia in your pocket.
04:30Another trick, when using the markup feature while editing your photos, you might want to highlight a part of a
04:37picture.
04:38Put a circle around the needed area and keep your finger pressed down at the end of the stroke.
04:43Voila!
04:44Instead of a misshapen circle, you get a perfect one.
04:47It also works for squares, triangles, and stars.
04:51Barilla, probably the most famous pasta in the world, has teamed up with Spotify to create playlists that match the
04:59cooking time for different pasta shapes.
05:01Just start the playlist when you drop the pasta into boiling water, and when the music stops, your pasta is
05:07ready.
05:09Toasters have crumb trays at the bottom that you can and should clean regularly.
05:14Just slide it out and dump the crumbs.
05:17It's an easy way to keep your toaster clean and working well.
05:21You can use Google Maps to share your location in real time.
05:26Just tap your account icon, select Location Sharing, and choose how long to share.
05:31Your friends can track your progress and be ready when you arrive.
05:34You can also save your parking location by clicking the blue dot.
05:39Do you know that the knobs on some ovens have calibration screws on the back?
05:44You can adjust them to get more accurate temperature control.
05:47It'll definitely help you avoid overcooking or undercooking your meals.
05:53In non-prepaid gas stations in the U.S., try pressing Enter before swiping your debit or credit card.
05:59It'll take you to the prepaid screen, and you can enter the amount you need manually.
06:04Now, doctors recommend risking your life at least twice a day.
06:08I mean, brushing your teeth at least twice a day.
06:11But you see, the seemingly harmless toothpaste that peacefully chills on every American counter
06:17poses a life-threatening danger because of one not-so-harmless ingredient, sodium fluoride.
06:24Now, don't get me wrong, not every toothpaste out there contains it, but most of them still do.
06:29But don't rush to the bathroom to trash your tube.
06:32If you swallow a tiny pea-sized glob, it isn't fatal.
06:36I'm talking about larger quantities.
06:38A toothpaste tube has only 0.15% fluoride.
06:42To send you running to the hills, you must consume around 8 tubes one by one.
06:47So, technically, toothpaste is totally safe.
06:51Let's go and look for more dangers at your place, shall we?
06:54Personally, I don't have this one, but if you happen to have a CFL light bulb,
06:59you gotta be extremely cautious with it.
07:01The thing is, many of those bulbs are made with mercury.
07:04If such a bulb breaks, you gotta start by turning off your ventilation system.
07:09Otherwise, the contamination will only get worse.
07:12Make sure everyone has left the room, then open a window to allow for fresh air circulation.
07:17Finally, clean the area where the bulb's shattered.
07:20Be careful to address both wet and dry surfaces and contact specialists.
07:25Mercury vapors are definitely the biggest concern when it comes to this element.
07:29Take, for instance, a case of 2008, where a 55-year-old guy in Oklahoma
07:34tried to extract gold from old electronics using liquid mercury.
07:38Unfortunately, he inhaled too much vapor and sadly passed away just 10 days later.
07:44The contamination was so severe that they had to completely gut his house.
07:50Now, you definitely don't want your favorite clothes to get ruined by moths.
07:54So, you might grab some mothballs to exterminate them.
07:57But watch out!
07:59Those mothballs can exterminate you, too.
08:01They usually contain chemicals like naphthalene or a paradichlorobenzene.
08:07When these get into the air, they turn into gas.
08:09That strong smell you associate with mothballs kicks in.
08:13Those fumes can actually irritate your eyes and lungs
08:16and may even cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
08:19Plus, there are concerns about these chemicals being the cause of major conditions
08:24that even modern medicine can cure.
08:26Naphthalene is especially risky because it can break down your red blood cells,
08:31leading to a condition called hemolytic anemia.
08:34So, try to swap those balls for good old lavender.
08:37Moths aren't big fans of it.
08:40Now, it's super important to keep an eye on the plants you bring into your home
08:43because some can be surprisingly harmful.
08:46Take Diefenbachia, commonly known as dumb cane, for example.
08:50Rumor has it that its sap can cause your tongue to swell up so much
08:54that it can block your airway.
08:56But can it really?
08:58Yes and no.
08:59It's true that this plant contains poisonous,
09:02tiny needle-like crystals called rapides.
09:04But they require someone to actually chew on a leaf first before any fuss happens.
09:09Otherwise, you might just feel a brief burning sensation or observe some skin redness.
09:15In rare cases, you might see some swelling in the area that touched the plant.
09:19Generally, just a little nibble leads to mild discomfort.
09:23So, please, don't snack on your potted plants.
09:25This warning is more for the safety of your pets, especially cats.
09:30Now, if Diefenbachia stays in contact with the mouth for too long,
09:33it can cause some serious pain that might linger for days or even weeks.
09:38In those cases, a trip to the hospital might be necessary,
09:42especially if the throat gets affected, as that could impact breathing.
09:45But don't believe the hype that Diefenbachia is a lethal poison.
09:49That's just an urban legend.
09:51The bottom line?
09:52One must be really dumb to get poisoned by a dumb cane.
09:57Now, using a power washer can be more dangerous than you might think.
10:01The intense pressure can lead to serious injuries,
10:04and the high-speed spray can kick up debris that might cause even more harm.
10:08If you do get injured, infections can set in quickly.
10:12And without timely medical care, things can get really serious.
10:15Think severe complications, potential limb loss, or even worse.
10:19But honestly, it's not that scary.
10:22Just don't overdo it with pressure.
10:25Here's a friendly tip.
10:27Don't skip out on your weekly house cleaning, especially when it comes to the bathroom.
10:31The longer you put off cleaning it, the more risky it becomes.
10:35Bathrooms are notorious hotspots for bacteria, which makes regular cleaning essential.
10:40You definitely don't want those unwelcome guests,
10:44like norovirus, E. coli, salmonella, or even Staphylococcus aureus, hanging around,
10:50along with those molds and mildews.
10:52Just put things into perspective.
10:54An average toilet seat can host over 200,000 colony-forming bacteria.
10:59And here's another thing to keep in mind.
11:01If you're not careful while cleaning, you can accidentally create a dangerous situation.
11:06Mixing bleach and ammonia can release a toxic gas called fluoramine.
11:11Those fumes can lead to some pretty nasty symptoms,
11:14from shortness of breath to fluid in your lungs.
11:17Guess what?
11:18If it happens, you will probably kick the bucket.
11:20And I'm not talking about the one you use for cleaning the floors in the bathroom.
11:27On a sweltering summer day, having air conditioning is definitely a blessing.
11:31But don't let that trick you into thinking there aren't risks involved.
11:35If your AC is on the older side, it can lead to various issues.
11:39For example, the ductwork and filters can trap harmful mold, bacteria, and allergens.
11:45If those aren't addressed, folks in your home might end up dealing with coughing, wheezing,
11:50or a stuffy nose.
11:51Plus, an aging AC unit can pose a fire risk.
11:55Older components tend to generate more heat as they try to keep up.
11:59And if they're not replaced, you could end up with a potential fire hazard.
12:03Faulty wiring is another concern, as many wires are tucked away in hard-to-reach spots,
12:08making them tough to inspect.
12:10So, if you have an older AC, it's a smart move to have it cleaned properly
12:15and ensure that its parts and wiring are up-to-date to avoid any fire risks.
12:22Snuggling under a cozy electric blanket when the weather turns chilly sounds like a dream.
12:27But if electric blankets get too hot, they might lead to burns.
12:31This risk is particularly significant with older models that don't have an automatic shut-off feature.
12:36So, the best way to use such a blanket is to warm up your bed and then turn it off
12:42before you crawl in.
12:43There's also the concern of heat stroke, linked to the use of an electric blanket.
12:48Once, two people were discovered unresponsive in their beds beneath electric blankets.
12:52The first person's body temperature reached an alarming 106.2 degrees Fahrenheit,
12:58while the second person's temperature was 105.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
13:03So, while these blankets offer comfort, it's crucial to use them wisely.
13:09Just a quick heads-up about windshield washer fluid.
13:12It contains methanol, which can really pack a punch.
13:15If ingested, it can cause everything from dizziness and headaches to severe poisoning.
13:21Make sure to store it safely and keep it in the original container.
13:24Never transfer it to unmarked bottles.
13:26It can easily be confused with water and other harmless liquids, and that's a big no-no.
13:32Methanol is super toxic.
13:34For a grown-up, 2 to 8 ounces can do the trick.
13:37You know what I mean.
13:38The windshield washer fluid you dump into your car usually has about 30 to 50% methanol in it.
13:44But the concentrated versions?
13:46They can pack a serious punch with 90 to 100% methanol.
13:51Just remember, these products need to be diluted with water before you use them.
13:55The last everyday thing on our list does seem to be a great buddy of ours, especially if located in
14:02the bathroom.
14:02But although air fresheners can give your home a pleasant scent, many of them release volatile organic compounds that can
14:10build up over time and may pose serious health risks, including neurological issues and incurable conditions.
14:16I suggest, if you were to ask me, you play it safe and think about opting for natural alternatives or
14:23enhancing your home's ventilation instead.
14:26Got that?
14:26Good.
14:29Trains used to make people mad.
14:31During the Victorian era, there was this rumor that the swaying motion of train carriages made passengers, especially men, go
14:39a bit crazy, leading to some strange and dangerous behavior.
14:43The so-called railway madness was supposedly triggered by the noise of the train.
14:49To make things worse, carriages were locked for privacy reasons back then, so people found themselves stuck in tiny spaces
14:56with lunatics who could snap at any moment.
15:01If you see someone putting ketchup on some car, it doesn't mean you're witnessing them preparing a prank.
15:08It means they're just taking care of their car.
15:11Yup, it goes great with hamburgers and hot dogs, but it goes even better with cars, since it has ingredients
15:18that are good at removing rust.
15:20Rust occurs when the metal gets exposed to moisture, oxygen, and heat, and due to weather conditions, it's hard to
15:28avoid it.
15:29When you leave rust for a longer time and don't deal with it, it will continue to degrade the metal.
15:36So, you need to get rid of it before your car becomes physically useless.
15:42That's when ketchup comes in.
15:44Its key ingredient is tomatoes, and they have many nutrients similar to those you can find in oranges and some
15:52other citrus fruits.
15:54For instance, citric acid can help you remove rust from metal surfaces, since it eats through rust.
16:00We're not talking about the cars only.
16:03You can use it on metallic kitchenwares, furniture parts, jewelry, and rust spots on generally any metallic item.
16:11You can combine it with washing soda.
16:14It's not quite effective against rust, but when you combine it with ketchup, it'll do the work.
16:20Mix these two and apply them to the rusted area.
16:24Leave it like that for about half an hour, and wash it with a wet cloth or sponge.
16:30You can combine ketchup with salt instead, or just apply a lot of it on the rusty area, without using
16:38any additional ingredients.
16:40Ketchup removes tarnish from brass copper, too.
16:44Put it on brass hardware on doors and cabinets, or some accessories, such as bowls and candlesticks, for 10 minutes
16:52to make it all shine.
16:54And also, you don't put it on meat just because of taste.
16:58Ketchup breaks down its fibers, which means it makes it more tender.
17:02Locking handles as we know them were only invented relatively recently, in 1878.
17:08Before that, people had to get pretty inventive to secure their homes.
17:12Most folks used a latch string.
17:15They'd make a small hole in the door, thread a leather thong or string through it, and then loop it
17:19around a wooden bar.
17:21Even after doorknobs were invented, only the wealthy could afford a proper lock and key.
17:27Vacuum cleaners had a rough start, too.
17:30The first one was invented in 1901, but it was so huge that it wouldn't fit inside houses.
17:36Instead, vacuuming was offered as a mobile service.
17:39The machines were parked outside, and long hoses were fed through the windows.
17:43And to get to the client's house, these large cleaning machines were actually pulled by horses.
17:50Back in the day, animals even used to pull strollers.
17:54Yep, with kids inside.
17:56The stroller was first developed in 1733 for the daughters and sons of a British nobleman,
18:02who might have been a bit too lazy to walk with them every day.
18:05So, the first model was basically a shell-shaped basket on wheels that could be pulled by a goat or
18:11a small pony.
18:12This small chariot was cute, but probably not the safest way to get around.
18:19Refrigerators also used to be a bit scary.
18:22From the late 1800s until 1929, they used toxic gases like ammonia, methyl chloride, and sulfur dioxide to cool things
18:30down.
18:31People were so concerned about gas leaks that they began leaving their refrigerators in the backyard,
18:36instead of keeping them in the kitchen.
18:38This danger even inspired Albert Einstein to create a new model.
18:42In 1926, Einstein and his former student Leo Seelard invented a refrigerator with no moving parts,
18:50using safer, environmentally friendly gases to reduce the risk of toxic leaks.
18:55But it had one problem.
18:57Einstein's refrigerator was less efficient than existing appliances, so it wasn't commercially appealing.
19:04If you ever find yourself casually wandering in the forests of Estonia,
19:08don't freak out if you see some giant megaphones.
19:11These wooden, acoustic giants were set three hours away from the country's capital by interior architecture students.
19:19That's way cooler than the hamster roller coaster I once built for a science fair, I have to admit.
19:25More than half of Estonia is covered by woods, and they're pretty proud of this natural wealth.
19:30So it's not the first art project of this kind, and there was a winding, elevated pathway and a faceted
19:36woodland cabin.
19:38The idea of the megaphones is to crank up the natural sounds of a forest and also to serve as
19:44a rest spot for hikers.
19:47These wooden beauties are large enough to host several people.
19:51And hey, if you walk this far into the woodland, you'll be thankful for this.
19:55The students were given a task to invent some concepts of a forest library.
20:01They built the megaphones off-site and brought them to their permanent spots.
20:05They're set in such a way that sounds from three directions meet in the center and create a cool, natural
20:12surround sound effect.
20:13Thankfully, kitchen supplies, including our beloved grills, have come a long way.
20:18Back in the 1950s, a metalworker named George Stephen had a brilliant idea while trying to create the perfect steak.
20:26Frustrated with flare-ups and uneven cooking, he decided to cut an old ocean buoy in half.
20:31This allowed him to control the airflow better.
20:34And that's how the Weber Kettle Grill was born, changing backyard barbecues forever.
20:40Have you ever used a public bathroom in the summer in your shorts and sandals and got splashed?
20:46It happens to the best of us, so no worries.
20:49If only there was some solution to this problem.
20:52Perhaps a urinal with a small hole so no liquid goes where it shouldn't.
20:57Looks pretty yucky and painful to me.
21:00An assistant professor at the University of Waterloo,
21:03Zhao Penn and his colleagues came up with a way better solution for this sensitive issue.
21:09Their designs were inspired by physics and dogs.
21:13When a stream of liquid moves on a solid surface at a shallow angle, the splash is reduced.
21:19And the smaller the angle, the fewer splashes you'll see.
21:22You can even minimize them to a zero.
21:25And when dogs do their business, they lift their hind legs and do it on the vertical surface of a
21:30tree or a wall.
21:31I don't know if they actually care about it, but this does reduce the splash.
21:36Good job, Pluto!
21:37Talking about that!
21:38Here's a fun challenge for your next family gathering.
21:41Ask everyone to fold a piece of paper in half, then in half again, and keep going for a total
21:46of 7 folds.
21:48Spoiler alert!
21:49They probably won't succeed.
21:51That's because each fold makes the paper thicker and thicker.
21:55In fact, if you had a huge sheet of paper and folded it in half 50 times, it would end
22:00up being about 62 million miles thick, which is about two-thirds of the way from Earth to the Sun.
22:06So, yeah, it's impossible.
22:09The current record is held by a high school student named Brittany Gallivan, who managed to fold a single piece
22:15of paper in half 12 times.
22:17And it was a tissue paper.
22:19The USB symbol, looking like a trident, has always sparked multiple speculations about its origin.
22:26One popular idea is that it represents Neptune's trident and symbolizes power and adaptability.
22:33But there's also a little bit less exciting theory.
22:36A man who claimed to have designed the symbol in the 1980s stated that it was supposed to represent connectivity.
22:43The large circle symbolizes a computer, while the attached shapes, the circle, the triangle, and square, stand for different outputs.
22:52Look closely at a tram's overhead lines, and you'll see that its contact wires zigzag back and forth instead of
22:58going in a straight line.
23:00That's because all trams have pantographs attached to their roofs.
23:05The upper part of the pantograph is gradually worn down by the overhead wire and eventually needs to be replaced.
23:11To wear it down evenly, the wire is not installed strictly along the tram's path, but in zigzag patterns.
23:19As the tram moves, the pantograph slides along the wire, and it wears down evenly.
23:26Those cone-shaped water cooler cups?
23:29Their shape is intentionally designed to prevent users from setting the cups down.
23:34This allows employees to minimize the risk of spilling water on their desks around various electronic devices.
23:40Plus, less material is used to produce cone-shaped cups, which makes the process less wasteful and more cost-effective.
23:48It also kind of supports sustainability by encouraging people to drink their water quickly and dispose of their cups immediately
23:54after.
23:55You're probably wearing a YKK product right now.
23:58I mean, go check the zipper on your jeans.
24:00Yep, that's it.
24:02YKK stands for Yoshida Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, a Japanese company that makes roughly half of all the zippers in the
24:10world, producing over 7 billion zippers each year.
24:14Originally called hookless fasteners, they became known as zippers after a pair of rubber boots that could be fastened with
24:21a single zip became popular in 1923.
24:25The name stuck because of the high-pitched zip sound they make when used.
24:30Despite a popular myth, household batteries don't actually contain liquid, and if you accidentally cut them open, no toxic liquid
24:37will spill.
24:38Most of them are dry cell batteries, which are made of electrochemical cells.
24:43Those convert chemical energy into electrical energy.
24:46Larger batteries often house numerous small cells within them, too.
24:51Even Tesla vehicle batteries consist of multiple small cells.
24:55When combined, they easily provide the necessary voltage.
24:59Did you know that nail polish used to be a status symbol?
25:02In ancient Egypt, queens like Nefertiti and Cleopatra were famous for their red nails, while lower-ranking citizens were only
25:11allowed to wear pale shades.
25:14You'll probably agree that there's no better snack than a pack of chips.
25:18Some are flat, others have ridges.
25:21Is it just aesthetics?
25:23Not really.
25:24The main purpose of those lines on some kinds of chips is to help with the distribution of spices and
25:29seasonings.
25:30In other words, all those substances that make your chips taste like cheese are mostly stored inside the lines.
25:36Plus, the lines make chips crunchier.
25:40This item here was also popular in ancient Egypt.
25:43What looks like a weird bench was actually a weird type of pillow.
25:48Back then, headrests were made from materials like wood, ceramic, and stone.
25:54Unlike our comfy pillows today, those ancient ones were used to protect people's hairstyles.
25:59That way, their hairdo stayed neat, even though they had a very uncomfortable night.
26:04If you've left a pot on the stove and your food burned, once again, take ketchup.
26:10Its acids will ease all the scrubbing and help you with grease.
26:14Just leave it over the night and you'll be able to wash the pot more easily.
26:20Or, keep those small packages of ketchup we all end up having from fast food orders in the freezer.
26:26The ketchup won't be as hard as an ice cube as it freezes.
26:29So, it will be good for soothing insect bites or similar things.
26:34For eight centuries, forks were considered cursed and nearly forbidden in the West.
26:39The first models were used by the elite in the Middle East and the Byzantine Empire.
26:43And they made their way to the West in 1004, thanks to a noblewoman named Maria Aguirre Polina.
26:50People were pretty shocked by it, to say the least.
26:53So, when she passed away just two years later, everyone blamed the fork, thinking it was some kind of divine
26:59punishment.
27:00By the way, its name comes from the Latin word forca, which means pitchfork.
27:06Next on our list is Nike's iconic moonshoe.
27:10But I'm talking about the unique pattern of its sole.
27:13Back in the 1970s, Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman was making waffles for breakfast with his wife
27:19when he had a sudden idea to pour a plastic material called polyurethane into the waffle iron.
27:26The machine was ruined, of course, but I guess it was worth it since that's how the first Nike waffle
27:31trainer was born.
27:32I mean, its sole.
27:34That clear fluid in gel pens is called the ink follower or stopper fluid.
27:39The gel in such pens contains pigment particles dissolved in a polymer solution.
27:44The main task of the stopper fluid is to be a barrier to prevent the gel from evaporating or leaking
27:49out.
27:50Without this transparent fluid, your gel pen wouldn't function.
27:55The fluid always stays in one position and doesn't get dissolved with the gel.
27:59Neither does it move backwards or flow out of the pen.
28:03Let's move on to another favorite snack.
28:06Popcorn.
28:07These days, cinema and popcorn go hand in hand, but it wasn't always this way.
28:11In the 1920s and 1930s, movie theater owners were hesitant to allow snacks in their theaters.
28:18They were worried about the mess and the crunching noises interfering with movies.
28:22Plus, popcorn used to cost only 5 to 10 cents, so they didn't see any financial benefit.
28:28But savvy street vendors saw a big chance.
28:31So, they got their own popcorn machines and started selling them outside theaters.
28:36That's why popcorn probably became the original clandestine movie snack.
28:40And theater staff would even have to check if people were hiding bags of it in their coats.
28:47Have you ever helped your friends move into a new apartment in a building without an elevator?
28:52Then you're gonna love this one.
28:54Houses in Amsterdam have hooks on top.
28:57This is a medieval invention for pulling stuff up the houses.
29:01The simple tech consisting of a wheel and a rope still functions now, centuries later.
29:06Why not just use the stairs?
29:08Well, if you get inside one of those narrow Amsterdam buildings, you'll see there's hardly enough room to comfortably ascend.
29:16And you can forget about even trying to pull a table on top.
29:20Back in the medieval ages, pretty much like now, only rich people could afford housing around the canals in the
29:26best parts of the city.
29:28Those people were mostly traders and used the canals for their business.
29:32They stored goods in the same houses they lived in.
29:36And with regular floods, they had to find a way to keep the goods dry.
29:40And that's why they needed to invent something to lift furniture, goods, boxes, instruments, and food on the upper floors.
29:48And pull it in through fully open, wide windows.
29:52The lifting tech is one of the reasons the houses in Amsterdam are leaning forward.
29:57This position helped keep both the lifted stuff and the walls and windows safe during transportation.
30:03They didn't have to touch each other.
30:06The gables also assisted in the process and had to be made firm to withstand all the heavy weight.
30:12And in case you're wondering what gables are, they're sections of wall between the edges of a dual-pitched roof,
30:20typical for Amsterdam.
30:21Sticking with old-school fun, it's time to talk about cards.
30:25So, have you ever wondered how many times you need to riffle a deck to shuffle it completely?
30:31The answer is seven times, according to math.
30:34Even cooler, if you shuffle a deck right, you're probably creating a unique order that's never existed before and never
30:41will again.
30:42And if you have a deck at hand, check out the Four Kings.
30:46You'll notice that the King of Hearts is the only one without a mustache.
30:50He's not special or anything.
30:52I mean, he also used to have a mustache, but it was lost in the reproduction of the original design.
30:57Your home has more regular things that can do magic tricks.
31:01Like, if you have a house or a big terrace and want to make a nice flower wall, try old
31:07mattress springs.
31:08Just hang them on the wall and let your imagination run wild with flowers.
31:14An old flower sifter can still come in handy.
31:17For example, as a planter.
31:19Even if you don't have one, you might find it at a garage sale or a thrift store.
31:25Wallpaper is making its big comeback when it comes to home design.
31:29Maybe you can try something different and use some old books with torn pages.
31:34You just need to learn the basics of hanging wallpaper.
31:37And voila!
31:38You get a new cool place for your old books.
31:42There's a solution for the remains of an old book.
31:46Don't worry.
31:46You can have blocks where you'll keep your kitchen knives.
31:49It's pretty original, don't you think?
31:52Solitaire was probably everyone's go-to game to pass the time back in the 1990s, but its original purpose was
31:59far from it.
32:00When developers created this game, their idea was to teach people how to use a computer without them even realizing
32:08it.
32:08For example, dragging and dropping cards into one place helped people learn how to move files into folders.
32:15The same goes for Minesweeper, which was designed to help people get used to using a mouse and clicking.
32:23Cleaning blinds can be frustrating, but the next time you do it, try doing it with a sock over your
32:29hand.
32:30Hands are kind of perfectly shaped for getting all those nooks and crannies on the blinds.
32:35And the sock will do the rest.
32:39Here's something you wouldn't expect.
32:41Ice cubes can help you remove gum from carpet, clothing, and hair.
32:46Just put your clothes in the sink and add ice cubes.
32:49Leave it like that for a while.
32:51Ice will freeze the gum, so you can chip it away more easily.
32:56If the gum got stuck on the carpet, leave ice cubes right in the critical spot and remove the gum
33:02with a butter knife.
33:03It's a little bit harder to remove it from hair though, but still possible.
33:08Just wrap the ice and parts of your hair with the gum in a washcloth until the gum gets frozen.
33:15When you get there, you should be able to break apart the gum and free your hair using your fingers.
33:21Or, next time you have to deal with a splinter, just take one ice cube to numb that area before
33:27you even start doing anything.
33:30You might have noticed that movie theater seats are almost always red.
33:34This choice isn't random.
33:36It has strategic importance, which is rooted in visual science.
33:40The thing is, red light has a longer wavelength.
33:43It means that it's the first color to disappear in low light.
33:46It allows the audience to concentrate better on the screen once the movie begins.
33:51Such a design choice enhances the viewing experience by minimizing distractions.
33:56Speed bumps are crucial for pedestrian safety.
33:59But at the same time, they can seriously increase car emissions due to the non-stop acceleration and deceleration they
34:07cause.
34:08To address this issue, some cities like London are testing fake speed bumps.
34:13Those are optical illusions painted on the road.
34:16They look raised from a driver's perspective, but in reality, they're flat.
34:21Authorities hope that this approach will slow down drivers without having a negative impact on the environment.
34:29Soda bottles are always filled in such a way that there's some space between the liquid and the cap.
34:34That's because soda contains carbon dioxide.
34:37It's a gas that can expand once the bottle's heated.
34:40If there's no gap in the bottle, it can break because of the pressure building inside.
34:45Also, when you open your drink, the gases go out in the form of bubbles, making the drink overflow.
34:51The gap helps with this problem, too.
34:54If you're more into Angry Birds, Candy Crush, and other mobile games, that's totally normal.
34:59After all, more people have access to cell phones than to toilets these days.
35:03But not many of us stop to think about how disgusting our phones can be.
35:08The natural bacteria from our skin and the oils from our hands get transferred to our phones with every touch,
35:14swipe, and tap.
35:16This makes phones about 10 times dirtier than toilet seats.
35:20Yikes!
35:22Now, can you honestly tell me you have never used your phone while driving?
35:27I know, me too.
35:28But we both know that it can be dangerous.
35:32To help with this, some newer cars have a special feature called a heads-up display.
35:37This option shows important driving information in front of you, like speed and directions, so you don't have to look
35:44away from the road.
35:46It's like a floating screen on the road in front of you.
35:49This can help you drive safer and avoid getting a ticket for going too fast.
35:54Not all cars are so modern, so to drive safely, you need to put your phone away.
36:00Thankfully, some cars have special places for your phone while you're focused on the road.
36:05One specific 2021 model, Chrysler Pacifica, has a feature where the second row of seats can be folded down into
36:13the floor.
36:14It's good for carrying big items.
36:16But when the seats are up, these areas are good for storing things out of sight.
36:20Just remember to check and clean them out every once in a while, because they can become magnets for all
36:26sorts of knick-knacks, like french fries or wet swimsuits that will surely start to smell at one point.
36:33Keep some cleaning supplies in your car, just in case.
36:37Are you a science fiction fan?
36:40I have some good news for you then.
36:42Turns out that flying cars may be closer to us than we think.
36:46And it's not just because they look cool.
36:49Manufacturers are looking into developing such vehicles for practical reasons too.
36:54For starters, our standard rows are getting pretty congested as time goes by.
36:58We'll need some other means of transportation in the future to be able to cope with a large number of
37:04vehicles.
37:05You can find loads of flying car concepts online, for all preferences.
37:10There's one that looks like a giant drone, and another one like a mini airplane.
37:15The simplest designs just took a car and put wings on it.
37:20Some cars will light up a snowflake on the dashboard every now and then.
37:24In case you're wondering, it's a sensor, and a pretty important one too.
37:28It shows the exterior ambient temperature.
37:31It gets activated when there's a road warning due to a sharp drop in temperature.
37:36It may sometimes even come with an audio warning or a message on your dashboard
37:41to inform you that the roads may be getting icy,
37:45so you can either adapt the speed or change to the appropriate tires if necessary.
37:52Cars these days aren't just adapted for the cold season.
37:55They come with cool features to help out during the summer months too.
37:59I'm talking about those neat sun visors.
38:02Check your car to see if it has this added bonus feature.
38:06We know they twist to help the driver out, even when they're not driving directly toward sunlight.
38:12Some visors can also extend, so they can provide shade to a larger area.
38:17If yours can't extend, there's a simple solution.
38:20Buy a sun visor extender.
38:22You can even find them online.
38:24They work by being attached to your existing sun visors or the windows for better shade coverage and visibility.
38:32Now, your car might have another hidden feature.
38:35Well, it's technically not in the car, but in its tires.
38:39These days, some cars come equipped with foam-filled tires.
38:43They were created to fix the problem of air-filled ones that often went flat.
38:47Why?
38:49Well, because foam-filled tires have many of the same benefits as air-filled tires without the danger of leaks.
38:56Regular air-filled tires can sometimes lose air over time, even if there hasn't been any damage.
39:02In most cars with this feature, the tires are not completely filled with either foam or air.
39:08They have a mix of both.
39:14A bonus of these modern tires is that they make the cars quieter.
39:19Generally, electric cars make less noise, but because of that foam, they end up being as quiet as a cat.
39:25Some people like the fact that they're quiet, while others prefer that classic screeching or rumbling that vehicles make.
39:32But even people who like the sound of regular engines might like the quietness of these new models, because they
39:39are still very fast.
39:41Hey, I drive one, and it's fun!
39:45You might have stumbled upon a button called AEB.
39:48It stands for Automatic Emergency Braking, and it's a feature that uses sensors to detect if a collision is going
39:55to happen really soon.
39:57When activated, it will automatically apply the brakes to try and prevent something bad from happening, or make it less
40:04severe.
40:05There are two types of AEB – one that only works at slow speeds, and one that works at all
40:11speeds.
40:12If the car can't be stopped completely, the AEB system will try to slow it down as much as possible
40:18to reduce the impact.
40:21Many cars now have systems that can warn you if someone is walking in front of you, and can even
40:27automatically stop the vehicle to prevent an accident.
40:31These systems use special sensors that can also detect bicycles and animals.
40:36However, a study found that these systems don't always work well, especially at night.
40:41Even if your car comes equipped with this added feature, it's crucial to always pay attention while driving and not
40:49rely solely on these systems.
40:52A little thing called Lane Centering Assist helps you stay in the middle of your lane when you're driving on
40:58the highway.
40:59It's not a replacement for paying attention to the road either, but it can help guide you through gentle curves.
41:05You'll still be in control of the car and can turn the wheel if you want to go in a
41:10different direction.
41:11Some systems give you a lot of feedback, while others are more subtle.
41:16Lane Centering Assist can't handle sharp turns, and in most cars doesn't work if you don't have the cruise control
41:22on.
41:23What's also cool about this feature is that if it senses you've removed your hands from the wheel,
41:29it'll give you the warning to return to the correct driving position.
41:34A lot of accidents can happen when you're reversing your car, like out of the supermarket parking lot.
41:40Parking sensors can help prevent these things from happening by using radar or sound to detect things that the driver
41:48might not see from his position.
41:50These sensors will make a noise or show a warning on the car's screen to let the driver know something
41:56is there,
41:57like another car or a person passing by.
42:01If you're planning to have a road trip, you know how hard it is to adapt to various speed limits
42:06throughout the country.
42:08Traffic sign recognition is a technology that can help with that.
42:12It allows you to know what the speed limit is on the road you're driving on.
42:16It uses a camera to take pictures of traffic signs and display them on a screen in your car.
42:21This can be helpful if the signs are hard to see or if you miss them while driving.
42:27Some cars with this technology can even change their speed automatically based on the signs they see.
42:33This technology is mostly found in luxury cars, but it is becoming more common in other types of cars too.
42:42The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has made studies that show up to 6,000 drivers per year have bad
42:50accidents simply because they were too tired.
42:53Sure, I would like my car to come with built-in coffee makers or showers to keep me awake on
42:58those long days driving,
43:00but some do have systems that can tell when a driver is getting kind of snoozy.
43:05These systems monitor the movements you make while in the driver's seat.
43:09It looks at things like how you turn the steering wheel around and move the car.
43:13If it senses you're a bit too tired to move on, it'll make a noise and show a message on
43:19the dashboard urging you to take a break.
43:22Some of these systems even show a picture of a coffee cup to remind you to stop at the next
43:27gas station for a refreshing beverage.
43:29Might save your life too.
43:37Hey there, car owners.
43:39Gee, do I have an important message for you?
43:41You see, our cars are like our trusty sidekicks, always by our side, even in the most public places.
43:47But sometimes we come back to find unexpected surprises waiting for us.
43:51Try to imagine yourself strolling up to your four-wheeled companion, and there it is.
43:55A flyer, taunting you from under the wiper.
43:58Or, heaven forbid, a parking ticket just begging for your attention on the windshield.
44:02We've all been there, right?
44:04Well, hold on to your steering wheels because authorities have a brand new tip for you.
44:09And it's a real gem.
44:10If you see something on your car that doesn't belong, don't remove it with your bare hand.
44:15Intrigued?
44:16You see, police forces have been keeping a watchful eye on all things car-related, and they're not just about
44:22catching speedsters and enforcing traffic rules.
44:25They've got our backs when it comes to unveiling the latest tricks of the trade.
44:28Take Arlington, Virginia, for example.
44:31The authorities there recently noticed a spike in driver's side airbag thefts.
44:35To combat this madness, the police advised folks to park in well-lit areas, lock their vehicles, stash away their
44:41valuables, and why not throw in a steering wheel locking device for good measure?
44:46Some car thieves have also discovered a new superpower, using their smartphone cameras to peek into your car.
44:51It's like they have x-ray vision or something.
44:54These sneaky people can bypass the privacy tint in your car windows and get a clear view of your treasures,
45:00all without even taking a photo.
45:02Smartphones these days, huh?
45:04In response, authorities launched a stow-it-don't-show-it campaign, reminding everyone to remove their valuables from sight, or,
45:12at the very least, stash them away.
45:15But wait, there's more.
45:17Officers want us to be extra cautious about a new threat lurking around our vehicles.
45:22You know how it goes.
45:23Leaves, litter, and leaflets often find their way onto our beloved cars.
45:27Usually, we'd think nothing of it and simply give our vehicles a quick clean before zooming off.
45:31However, you should think twice before reaching out with your bare hands, even if it's just to grab a seemingly
45:38innocent piece of trash.
45:39Why all the fuss, you might wonder?
45:41Well, let's take a peek at an incident that unfolded in Houston, Texas.
45:46Picture this.
45:47One woman, fresh from celebrating her birthday at a local restaurant, heads back to her car, only to find a
45:53napkin sticking out of her car door handle.
45:56Now, at first, she didn't think much of it, and casually removed the napkin, thinking it's just some random trash.
46:03But as it turns out, things then took a crazy turn.
46:06Not long after handling that suspiciously placed napkin, she started feeling some tingling in her fingertips.
46:12And before she knew it, her whole arm joins the tingle party, leaving her feeling a bit numb.
46:17She got all lightheaded and even struggled to breathe.
46:20Being a responsible person, her husband dialed up 911 in a jiffy.
46:24Off she went to the hospital, racing against time to figure out what in the world caused this bizarre health
46:29rollercoaster.
46:30After a seemingly eternal six and a half hours, the doctors finally diagnosed her with acute poisoning from an unknown
46:36substance.
46:37They couldn't pinpoint the exact nature of the substance, because the woman only had a tiny amount in her system.
46:43But even that tiny amount was enough to make her feel like she just hopped on the wildest ride at
46:48the amusement park.
46:49Just imagine if she had wrapped that napkin around her entire hand.
46:53Yikes!
46:54One of her doctors suggested that this whole napkin incident might have been an attempted kidnapping targeting her car.
46:59Wait, what?
47:01A kidnapping involving a napkin in a car door?
47:04It's like a bad script for a low-budget comedy film.
47:07But here's where things get really intriguing.
47:09The local police department, in their noble quest to solve this mystery, revealed that they didn't receive any reports of
47:15similar incidents involving car doors and napkins.
47:18I guess that prankster genius didn't strike again.
47:21Or at least not yet.
47:23However, they do confirm that the woman's experience and symptoms align with other cases of poisoning.
47:28Of course, there are many other strategies to help keep both you and your car safe.
47:33Like when it comes to parking, it's all about that prime spot.
47:37Thankfully, specialists have some tips that will make your parking game strong and keep those pesky thieves at bay.
47:43First things first.
47:45If you're lucky enough to have a garage, park your precious vehicle in there at all times.
47:50But if you're out and about, it's advised that you find a well-lit and open area to park.
47:55You want your ride to be in the spotlight, not hiding in the shadows where mischief could be lurking.
48:01Now, here's a nifty little nugget of advice straight from the mouth of an ex-burglar.
48:06This guy knows the tricks of the trade.
48:08When you park, turn those wheels into the curb.
48:12I know it sounds weird, but trust me, it's worth it.
48:15By doing this, you're making life harder for those pesky intruders.
48:18They'll have to do some fancy maneuvering just to get away, and ain't nobody got time for that.
48:23And hey, here's an extra bonus tip for you.
48:25Try to find a car park that has reached the Parkmark standard.
48:28These parking locations have passed a police risk assessment, so you know they're legit.
48:33With these simple tips, you'll be parking like a pro in no time.
48:37These days, there's still a sneaky way thieves can get their hands on your ride, and it involves your beloved
48:42key.
48:43So, let's play it safe, shall we?
48:45First things first.
48:46Keep those keys hidden away.
48:48When you're home, make sure they're out of sight and far from prying eyes.
48:52You wouldn't want any thieves playing fishing games with sticks and hooks through your letterbox, snatching your keys.
48:57Now, let's talk about keyless entry.
48:59You know, those fancy cars that unlock themselves with a wave of the key nearby?
49:04Well, if you have to push a button on your key to open your car, you don't have a keyless
49:09entry.
49:09No worries, though. We'll cover that, too.
49:12Picture this.
49:13You're going about your day, minding your own business, when suddenly a crafty thief comes along with a little device.
49:19This sneaky gadget tricks your car into thinking your key is right there, unlocking it faster than you can imagine.
49:25They can even start the engine and drive off into the sunset with your beloved vehicle.
49:30Believe it or not, these pesky thieves only need to be a few meters away from your car key to
49:35capture its signal.
49:36That means they can work their magic even if your key is chilling inside your home, safe and sound.
49:42Fear not, because there are a few tips to keep your keyless entry car as secure as a fortress.
49:47When you're at home, keep that precious key and its spare, far, far away from your vehicle.
49:53Maybe put them in a screened pouch or a fancy-schmancy Faraday bag to block any signals from escaping.
49:59Think of it as giving your key a cozy little invisible shield to protect it from those sneaky signal-sniffing
50:04thieves.
50:05Here's another pro tip.
50:07If you ever decide to adopt a second-hand car into your loving car family, give those keys a little
50:13makeover.
50:14Reprogramming them will ensure that any old signals or sneaky surprises from the previous owner are wiped clean.
50:20To make sure your car is always safe, we also need to cover this not-so-fun subject.
50:25Illegal tow trucks.
50:26Those sneaky thieves think they can snatch your precious wheels right off the street.
50:30Here are some tips on how to stay one step ahead of these parking lot pirates.
50:35First things first, keep an eye out for any tow-away crew that seems a bit fishy.
50:39You know, the ones who aren't sporting any fancy logos on their truck or who forgot to put on their
50:44snazzy uniforms.
50:46If something feels off, don't hesitate to report them pronto.
50:49Now, I know what you're thinking, but what if I'm wrong and it turns out to be a false alarm?
50:55We all should be about good faith, and nobody should blame you for a moment if it turns out to
50:59be a false alarm.
51:00Better safe than sorry, right?