The world can be a scary, confusing place – but it can also be one that makes total sense in its perfect design. It’s all about your perspective. By changing the way you see the world – or what you know about it – you can transform it into something else entirely.
Did you know there is a purpose for just about everything, from the tiny hole next to your phone’s camera to the arrow next to your car’s gas level indicator? Yep, those random objects you never think twice about actually have a purpose, and they can make your life so much easier!
Here are 30 things you’ve seen every day but never knew the use of.
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1. The Hole Between The iPhone Flash And The Camera
You’ve probably never even thought about this little hole, but if you flip your iPhone over you will see an extra little dot between your phone’s flash and camera lens. Believe it or not, it was placed there for a reason! Apple decided to add an extra microphone to the back of the phone to improve sound quality when recording. They really thought of everything!
2. The Disk Under The Lid Of A Plastic Bottle
Those little blue disks always look so weird! It turns out that this disk maintains the carbonation in your bottle. So you can thank this disk that your soda hasn’t gone flat!
3. The Hole At The End Of A Pen Cap
Many people chew on their pen caps, so pen companies actually took action to prevent children and anxious adults from choking. That little hole can act as an airway if a person gets a pen cap lodged in his or her throat. Good looking out!
4. Spikes In Tube Lids
You’ve probably noticed that some of your cream tubes come with a lid that has a spike in the center. This is to puncture the protective seal of the tube. Push the spike through the seal, then flip it back over to close the lid on tight when you are done.
5. The Bumps On Your “F” And “J” Keys
The keys on your keyboard are almost flat, aside from your “F” and “J” keys. These keys contain little bumps that look like they are underlining the letters. This is to help you know where to place your index fingers without having to look down at your keyboard!
6. Lettering on Makeup Containers
This tiny lettering might look like a factory number or some other sort of stocking information, but it was actually put into place for the customer. This little number tells you how long your makeup is good for before it expires. Be sure to keep track of your makeup’s shelf-life, because wearing expired makeup can give you a bad breakout.
7. The Hole In The End Of Your Ruler
Okay, this one might come as a shock. Believe it or not, rulers are designed to be hung on a wall, not stuffed into a drawer with your pencils, erasers, and other office supplies. This hole allows the ruler to hang easily from a tack or nail. It makes tons of sense when you think about having a workshop, but it is counterintuitive if you are used to using a ruler in the classroom.
8. Wings On Apple Power Cables
If you didn’t know what these attachments were for, you would think they looked pretty weird. Apple placed these wings on the power cable so that you could wind the thicker part of your cord first, then secure it with the thinner part. After wrapping the thick part around the cube, wrap the thin part in the opposite direction, around the two wings. This will secure the cord in place and prevent it from tangling.
9. The Indented Space Of A Tic Tac Lid
Most of us pour multiple Tic Tacs into our hand at a time, but this isn’t the way they were intended to be eaten! The lid has a Tic Tac sized indentation so that it can act as a dispenser. Even with this knowledge, will you be able to limit yourself to just one??
10. The Hole At The End Of A Pan Handle
No matter what brand of pan you buy, it always seems to have a weird handle design. That’s because it was created that way with a unique purpose in mind. This hole is actually meant to serve as a resting place for your spatula. Whenever you are done mixing and want to leave your food to simmer, place the spatula in its neat resting spot; this way you won’t have to worry about it dripping all over the counter!
11. The Lines On An X-Acto Knife
What are those strange lines that run up and down the blade?! It turns out they are there to keep your knife razor-sharp, literally! Whenever your knife begins to dull, break off the part of the blade that is on the far side of your outermost line. Just like that, your knife will be good as new.
12. The Hole In The Bottom Of A Padlock
Maybe you’ve never thought twice about it, but that little hole in the bottom of your padlock serves a pretty neat purpose. It allows the water to drain out in case you are using the lock outside. It also lets you oil the lock so that it will work better. Pretty cool, huh?
13. The Tabs At The End Of An Aluminum Foil Box
Does your roll of aluminum fall out of the box every time you pick it up? You don’t ever have to face this frustration again! The tabs located at each end of the box are meant to be pushed in so that they can keep the roll in place. Your life is about to get so much easier.
14. The Hole In A Pasta Spoon
This hole is so that the water can drain out when you scoop out the pasta, right? Nope! It is actually designed to help you measure out a single serving of noodles. Fit your spaghetti noodles into this hole, and you will have the perfect portion.
15. Extra Fabric That Comes With New Clothes
What is the deal with that extra piece of fabric floating around?? Think of this as a gift from the clothing store to you. The fabric is meant to be your test-cloth for laundry. The idea is that once you see how the soap and washer interact with the material, you will know how to best treat your clothing. Never have an outfit destroyed in the wash again!
16. The Tab Of A Soda Can
If you thought the primary purpose of the tab on a soda can was to help you to open the can, you would be correct. But that’s not its only purpose. If you place the tab back into its original position after opening the can, you will have the perfect straw holder. Now you can drink through a straw without the straw swiveling around. Score!
17. The Hole In An Airplane Window
Have you ever noticed the tiny hole in your airplane window? It helps to regulate the pressure of the cabin. It also allows air to flow in, keeping you cool and your air full of oxygen.
18. The Punt Under A Wine Bottle
No, this doesn’t exist to rip you off of an extra glass of wine. When wine bottles were first created, they were blown using a blowpipe and pontil. The unique shape of the bottle stuck, so many bottlers have kept this punt as a nod to the past.
19. The Tiny Pocket On Your Jeans
You know the one: the little pocket that is inside your already-too-small pocket! Back in the days of the wild west, this was a place where people kept their pocket watches. I guess now no one wants to change the look…
20. The Studs On Those Same Jeans
Jeans were originally worn by miners and workmen on the job. Under these conditions, the workers often ripped their jeans at the seams. These rivets help to strengthen the jeans in the spots where they would usually tear, making your jeans last much longer. Even today, there’s nothing you can’t do in a trusty pair of jeans.
21. The Extra Button That Comes With New Clothes
Okay, so you may have figured this one out already because of the hint from the extra piece of fabric. The button is there for your convenience! If you ever lose a button from your favorite shirt, now you have an extra one to replace it! If only you had a few extra buttons for the others you might lose…
22. The Hole At The End Of A Tape Measure
You might not have even noticed that it was there, but this hole is super helpful to anyone working on a big project. Place a nail or screw into this hole, and measure away without any of the frustration of your tape sliding around.
23. The Additional Holes In Converse Sneakers
Converse have been a popular shoe brand for as long as I can remember. But I’ve always wondered, why is there an extra set of holes in those shoes? These spaces are for more than just a stylistic choice. They actually provide ventilation for your feet. When you’re on the go, you’re going to want an extra bit of air flowing to your feet. Well, Converse has you covered.
24. The Loop On A Backpack
No, this loop wasn’t designed so you could carry your backpack instead of wearing it on your back. It is actually called a “hauling loop,” and it is meant for heavy climbing. Why is it placed on a child’s backpack? If you know the answer, please inform us in the comments!
25. The Serrated Edge Of A Tape Measure
What does this funky edge do? It lets you make a mark so that you can measure more accurately. Genius!
26. The ZigZags On Bobby Pins
Is there anything bobby pins can’t do? These things come in handy on every occasion! Believe it or not, the zigzag side is actually supposed to go on the bottom, closer to your head. This is to give the bobby pin more grip, so that it can hold your hair in place even better.
27. The Blue Side Of The Eraser
Erasers won’t erase all your problems, but the blue side of the eraser can sure try! This impressive portion purports to erase pen. My childhood dreams are coming true!
28. Pom-Poms On Beanies
Of course the pom-pom on the top of your new beanie is cute! But do you know why it’s there? This fashion trend goes back into the 1900s when sailors were living on ships. If a sailor’s pom-pom scraped against the ceiling, he knew that he would have to duck to avoid hitting his head.
29. Stripes On Headphone Jacks
These stripes might not look like much, but they are actually the whole reason your headphones work! Each stripe contains wires that connect to each ear piece. These stripes define your musical experience, so show them some love!
30. The Arrow Next To Your Car’s Gas Level Indicator
I cannot tell you how many times I pulled up to the pump facing the wrong way – until I learned this handy trick! Your car actually tells you which side should face the gas pump. Look at your gas icon, then look at the arrow next to it. Whichever way this arrow is pointing, that is the side that should face the pump! Now your days of looking silly while pulling back around are all in the past.
You might not think much of the objects you see every day, but a lot of care has been put into their design. Each weird little part has its own unique purpose. Pretty neat, right?