Several everyday products have hidden features that you to ask “What’s that for?” Here is a list of 30 everyday items with hidden features that will want to know.
1. Juice box flaps
Those little flaps on the side of juice boxes are actually for children to hold onto while drinking. Kids can be a little messy, you see.
2. What is that little hole in padlocks for?
You may have noticed a little hole on padlocks like this. The purpose of this is actually to allow water to drain from the lock and to pour oil into it to prevent the lock from getting jammed up.
3. The hole next to iPhone cameras
Have you ever noticed there is a little hole next to the camera on iPhones? This is just a little microphone. iPhones have 3 of them on most phones, one at the bottom of the phone, one under the speaker, and one right next to the camera.
4. The wings on Macbook chargers
There are little clips on the side of a Macbook charger that you can wrap the cord around. Many MacBook owners are completely unaware of this.
5. Why brass doorknobs?
Have you ever noticed that many doorknobs, especially in older buildings, are made from brass? The reason for this is that brass is particularly resistant to bacteria and germs. Considering how many people use doorknobs regularly, brass just became the hygienic choice.
6. The disc under bottle caps
You have likely noticed that many bottle caps have a little flat disc in there. Sometimes little slogans or jokes have been put on these but they actually serve a purpose. The disc helps keep carbon dioxide trapped in the bottle and the drink fizzy.
7. Why long neck bottles?
There’s a reason why bottles often have very long necks. It is to encourage people to hold them by the neck and not the body. This prevents your hands from warming up the liquid inside.
8. The zig-zag side on bobby pins
There is a reason why bobby pins have a wavy side. This is to catch any clumps of hair and also to stop the clip from sliding out of your hair.
9. The ridges on coins
There are bumpy ridges on the sides of many coins in the currencies of various countries. This is to prevent people from shaving the coins down and melting them into new and different coins.
10. Bumps on the keyboard
Have you ever noticed that there are little bumps on the F and the J on a keyboard? This is simply a way to help the user find the proper keys. Your index finger rests on the F and the J while typing so if you feel the bumps then you know your hands are in the right spot.
11. Margins on lined paper
The origins of why we use margins on lined paper is sort of disgusting. It’s because rats so regularly feasted on the edges of the paper that everyone just decided to write the important stuff where the rats won’t get at it.
12. Using a can tab to hold a straw
If you have ever wondered why the tabs on soda cans (and other drinks) have holes in them, they do serve a purpose. If you turn the tab so it covers the mouth of the can you can stick a straw through there and it will hold in place.
13. You are likely wearing earbuds wrong
There is a good chance that you have your earbuds upside down. For many earbuds, the round part is supposed to face down to the ground. The cord can be wrapped over your ear as well for added stability. If you’ve ever noticed that earbuds fall out of your ears too easily, this is likely why.
14. Toasters want you to clean them
Toasters have a little slide at the bottom that you can open up and clean out all the bread crumbs. Be careful when you go to check this, however, as you might dump toast crumbs all on your kitchen floor…or so we’ve heard.
15. Red solo cups are also measuring cups
Red solo cups are the standard drinking container for house parties everywhere. Did you know the ridges on the cups serve a purpose? The smallest line on the cup (near the bottom) measures out to a 1-ounce shot of alcohol. The second line from the top measures 10 ounces, or a standard glass of wine. The top-line measures 12 ounces, or a serving of beer.
16. Detachable headrests in cars
There is a reason why the headrests in cars are detachable. You can use the two metal bars to smash open a window if you are trapped inside.
17. The hole inside pasta spoons
There are two leading theories as to what this hole is for. The first is that it allows you to drain excess water from the pasta. The second is that it can be used to measure out the perfect serving of dry pasta by sticking it through the hole until it’s filled.
18. The hole in pen caps
There is a very good reason why pen caps have a little hole on top. It’s because they are choking hazards for children but the little hole allows air to flow through if they are swallowed.