There are countless things you see, purchase, and use every day that you may not think twice about. However, if you’re curious enough to look below the surface level of details like packaging and an item’s marketed function, you might just discover an everyday product’s new use or history.
Be it random items around your house or ubiquitous brands that you can’t escape, everything has a story, right? After some investigating, we were delighted to find—for example—that beanies’ pompoms were originally intended for safety while measuring tape can possibly save your child’s life.
Clearly, there’s many a secret to be uncovered about the things you might take for granted. Better yet, you could even unveil a new tip or hack that’ll make life a little bit easier. So, get ready to say, I was today years old when I learned that…
That blue plastic disc inside bottle caps preserves carbonation
If you’re a millennial or Gen X-er, you probably recognize bottle cap discs as material for a DIY bracelet. Unsurprisingly, that’s not its intended function. In fact, it serves to trap carbon dioxide inside the bottle to prevent it from becoming flat.
So, next time you open a bottle of pop, you can thank that little blue round for keeping your drink bubbly and refreshing. (Oh, and don’t forget to recycle it when you’re finished!)
The tiny arrow on your car’s dashboard points you in the right direction
How many times have you driven to the gas station, exited the car, and realized your gas tank was on the other side? Sigh. Good news: If you look closely at your dashboard, you’ll find some direction from the gas gauge.
Moreover, you should find an arrow that points left or right, et voila—now you know which side it’s on! Can you believe this feature has been right under your nose the entire time? Now you can avoid those embarrassing gas station gaffes.
Beanie pom poms are for more than aesthetics
Perhaps you’ve never thought twice about the cute pouf atop your favorite beanie. (Fair.) Well, they have a purposeful history. Turns out, French sailors wore hats with pom poms so that they wouldn’t injure their heads on the ship’s ceiling while passing through rough weather.
We wouldn’t recommend a beanie in place of a helmet, but it’s quite impressive that this accessory protected countless noggins at sea. And, it’s comforting to know you’ll have some protection if you bonk your head.
Milk jugs have dimples so they don’t burst if dropped
You’ve likely noticed the circular indentations on the sides of milk jugs and wondered what purpose they serve—if any at all. Well, it just so happens that there’s an important reason for them: Milk jugs are made from semi-flexible plastic, which is vulnerable to cracking or bursting if dropped.
Further, the dimples lend the jug some give, providing room for it to expand when pressure increases, reducing the risk of exploding. (It’s similar to how water balloons flatten and bounce back intact when dropped.)
Plastic rings on soda bottles are for your safety
You know those small plastic rings attached to the lid of plastic drink bottles? That little ring is part of tamper-evident packaging (or TEP), so you can know if the bottle you’re about to drink has been compromised.
When you purchase a new bottle, the plastic ring is connected to the lid by a perforation that breaks when the bottle is opened for the first time. So, as long as the plastic ring is intact upon purchase, it’s safe to drink.
McDonald’s French fry boxes have a secret purpose
If you’re an aficionado of McDonald’s fries, there’s a feature that’s been hiding in plain sight to make your French fry experience even better. The back rounded bendable flap on the box isn’t just there to mimic the shape of the golden arches—it’s a ketchup holder!
Just fold the flap backward and use it as a dipping plate for your ketchup (or whatever sauce is your favorite). It’s a useful design that’s not featured in McDonald’s marketing materials, but once you try it, you’ll be a lid-dipper for life.
Tie too-large items to your backpack
Many backpacks feature a diamond-shaped design on the front of them, which one might think is simply part of the brand’s aesthetic. However, it’s actually called a lash tab, and it’s meant to externally hold items that don’t fit inside your bookbag.
For example, you can loop your shoelaces (or another stringed item) through the lash tab to hold an extra pair of shoes. What’s more? Aside from its practical use, you can show off a favorite pair of kicks.
Advil: Your new skincare hero
If you’re one of the billions of folks dealing with pesky pimples, you’ll love this not-so-known remedy. Advil gel capsules, which are usually taken as a pain reliever, can help you diminish the appearance of zits. Just pierce the capsule with a sterile needle and use the gel as a spot treatment.
Since Advil contains ibuprofen—an anti-inflammatory drug—it can also work to reduce external redness and swelling caused by acne. Simply dab the gel to your blemish, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, and then wash it off with lukewarm water.
That tiny hole in padlocks prevents malfunction
There’s an often-overlooked feature of many padlocks that serve an important purpose. If you’ve ever noticed a tiny hole at the bottom of your lock, it’s not just there for aesthetics. This hole acts as a drain that helps to prevent internal water buildup.
Since water can cause a lock’s mechanisms to corrode and rust, the hole can allow the lock to continue functioning normally. Ergo, it’s just as essential as the keyhole or number dial on your go-to padlock.
The bottom oven drawer isn’t meant for storage
While many may use over drawers to store their pots and baking pans, that’s not what it’s intended for. Better yet, it’s meant to keep cooked or baked foods warm until they’re ready to be served. (That’s right—no more microwave reheating!)
So, if you’re hosting and waiting for your guests to arrive, stick the dish in the drawer so it doesn’t get cold. And the delicious aroma of your meal will continue to fill your home as it stays warm.
Your utility knife is made to last because of this feature
Utility knives—otherwise known as boxcutters to some—are tools that are typically made of plastic and have a retractable blade. Just like any sharp object, the blades are prone to becoming dull after multiple uses. The good news? You don’t have to buy a new knife when this happens.
If you take a closer look, you’ll notice some diagonal lines. To rid of the old blade and reveal a new one, use a pair of pliers to grab the first section and snap it clean off. And there you have it—a new, sharp blade.
This design feature keeps towels intact
Beyond being an aesthetically pleasing feature, the stripes of fabric towards the ends of your towels are there for a reason. Aside from allowing easier folding and storing, the purpose of the selvage, or hem is more important than you might realize.
A towel’s reinforced edges prevent the fabric from unraveling and ensure it won’t fray and fall apart after countless washes. While it would be nice to have a towel that is 100% fluffy fabric, now we can all appreciate the rougher parts of it.
The pocket of women’s underwear exists for their health
Whether or not you wear women’s underwear, that little pocket in the crotch of their panties is kind of an anomaly. (Well, until now.) This gusset is designed with breathable cotton fabric to allow ample ventilation for the vulva.
What’s more: The gusset also reduces the risk of developing yeast infections or urinary tract infections. So, while it may seem like this feature is meant for storage, its purpose is essential to the health of those with vulvas.
Coin ridges distinguish real from fraudulent currency
It’s a feature subtle enough to miss—especially if you don’t frequently use quarters or dimes. That is the fine ridges on coins’ edges. Historically, coins used to be produced in different weights to reflect their value. Some folks would then melt them down to create new coins.
The solve? Coins then began featuring fine ridges on their edges to provide a distinguishable difference between those that had been tampered with. So, next time you’re handling some pocket change, you’ll notice that your quarters and nickels have that specific detail, whereas dimes and pennies don’t.
French’s mustard caps are designed to prevent messes
Mustard is one of those staple condiments that you’ll find in most people’s refrigerators. Like its counterpart, ketchup, it also has a reputation for being messy. Thankfully, French’s Yellow Mustard has a secret feature that will make said messes a thing of the past.
The hack? The cap has a hinge function that holds it open, and if you push it back as far as it can go, it’ll latch onto a notch with a resounding click. We’re not sure why French’s wouldn’t market this neat feature, but now you know for next time!
The function of lollipop stick holes
If you’re a fan of lollipops (I mean, who isn’t?), maybe you’ve noticed a little hole in some of the plastic sticks. In case you were wondering, this hole serves to keep the candy attached to the stick during its manufacturing.
Moreover, when the hot candy is being molded, a portion of it seeps into the hole and hardens, fusing the candy to the stick. While some treat it like a feature intended for whistling, this feature is crucial for securing candy atop its lollipop stick.
Make your tape measure do double-duty
It’s likely that you have a tape measure lying around somewhere in your home. Though it seems like a one-trick pony compared to the rest of your tools, this is false. Further, we urge you to take a closer look at the small slot on its end hook.
While you’re trying to measure something, this feature allows the tape to latch onto the end of a nail or screw, simplifying the task of measuring flat surfaces. From there, you can hammer a nail or twist in a screw and hook the end of the tape onto it for an accurate measurement.
Two-toned erasers are meant for different purposes
If you’ve ever used an eraser with two different-colored ends and wondered why they’re designed that way, we have an answer. The pink side is meant for erasing lighter pencil marks on soft paper (i.e. computer paper), and the blue side is intended for grittier paper and heavier marks.
Rumor has it that the blue side can even remove some pen marks, too! So, next time you’re in the market for a new eraser, opt for the double-sided kind to account for different marks and paper types.
You can unlock a shopping cart with your keys
Given that there are still stores that require you to pay a quarter to use a shopping cart, the ire of forgetting said quarter is real. If this sounds like a dilemma you’ve faced one too many times, we have a tip to save your shopping trip.
Assuming you have a bare key on hand—whether it be a house key, mailbox key, or a car key—use its back end in place of a coin. Since the deposit lock is designed to hold a quarter-sized object, a key should fit seamlessly.
The button on your seatbelt keeps it secured
The function of a seatbelt button is probably not thought about often, but it’s critical in keeping you safe. Something called the latch plate—the part of the seat belt that clicks into place to secure you in your seat—is locked in place when the seat belt is not in use.
So, if the button weren’t on the seatbelt strap, the latch plate could slide to the bottom of the seat belt, making it harder to wrangle and buckle in. Sure, it’s easy to overlook these details while you’re driving, but it’s also nice to know the amount of thought put into our safety.
Rumble strips make the road safer
Have you ever been driving on the highway and got too close to the edge of the road? Then you suddenly heard—and felt—a rumbling of sorts? Well, the little divots responsible for this have a name: rumble strips.
As annoying as that sound can be while on the road, it’s intended to grab the attention of distracted or fatigued drivers. Between cyclists, bikers, and other drivers, we can only imagine how many lives rumble strips have saved!
Another use for measuring tape—car seat edition
If for some reason you have any doubts about whether your child’s car seat isn’t securely installed, all you need is a tape measure to confirm. From there, you’ll conduct the “inch test,” in which you ensure that the car seat doesn’t move a single inch in any direction.
Just shake the car seat somewhat vigorously at the belt path, and then pull out your measuring tape to check measure for any movements. Should you find that the car seat is too loose, we recommend taking it to your local fire station to have it properly and safely reinstalled.
The secret umbrella compartment every car needs
Picture it: you’re about to step out of your car and it starts downpouring. You have an umbrella, but it’s in your trunk. Sigh. Unfortunately, this hack won’t apply to most people, but if you drive a Rolls-Royce or a Skoda, this is for you.
Both vehicles feature an umbrella holder built into the car door. What’s more? The door cavity has air vents powered by the car’s engine to dry your umbrella. (Now, hopefully, other car brands are taking note…)
Notebook margins are meant to keep rats at bay
Notebook margins might seem like a pointless feature as you’re taking notes or doodling. Not to mention, they’re too small to write down anything super significant. However, they were originally added to notebooks to protect your papers from rodents—namely rats.
Before modern pest prevention existed, these little nibblers would often feed on paper in people’s homes. Papermakers then decided to widen the margins so that the contents in the middle of the page would be safe from rat chompers.
Doorknobs are made of brass for a reason
You might not give too much thought to what kind of doorknobs are throughout your home—or anywhere for that matter. Interestingly, there’s something that sets brass doorknobs apart from other types. Brass is a self-disinfecting alloy, which makes it perfect for doors that see a lot of traffic.
So, if you’re given the opportunity to switch out your doorknobs, we would encourage you to choose brass. In case you haven’t heard, we’ve been in a global pandemic since 2020, so stopping the spread of germs is always welcome.
Coat half-belts once served in the military
Yes, that half belt on the back of your favorite oversized jacket is a chic detail. But did you know that its origins stem from a practical purpose? Military servicemen once wore oversized jackets, with said half belts, that doubled as blankets.
Thus, the jackets were designed with a half-belt to gather up extra material and keep it in place when they walked around. Of course, they don’t serve jackets in the same way today, but the history of this design shouldn’t go unnoticed.
The backstory of the MGM lion logo
You know the outrageously loud roaring lion that greets you before the beginning of countless films? First, that is indeed a real lion. Second, the lion used for this clip was allegedly sedated to capture the iconic shot.
Years ago, a photo found its way to the internet, showing the lion lying on its stomach with its head through a hole. While it’s never been confirmed that this was the actual setup, many are convinced that this was the process by which directors were able to film the lion.
Pepsi’s logo is more than it seems
The Pepsi logo appears to just be a ball with some red, white, and blue striping, but the concepts behind the design are much more cerebral. Turns out, it’s an homage to famous theories, such as the golden ratio and the theory of relativity.
Further, it was also designed to reflect the earth’s magnetic field, feng shui, and the universe’s rate of expansion. So, next time you crack open a Pepsi, take a moment to appreciate the intellectual depth behind its tri-colored circle.
Screwdrivers are also wrenches
Yes, you read that right. Screwdrivers can do more than just their namesake. When you slide a screwdriver through the jaws of a wrench, you can increase the turning force you’re able to apply—regardless of the angle or size of the space you’re in.
With the right amount of torque, taking care of nuts and bolts should be easy-breezy when incorporating this tool. Should you need to tackle some repairs around the house anytime soon, let your screwdriver work harder while you work smarter.
Your wardrobe’s fabric swatches are meant for testing
Say you just purchased a new garment and you’re removing the tags. You then find a tiny bag inside with a fabric swatch and maybe some buttons. While the buttons are (obviously) meant to replace their fallen comrades, the fabric swatch has a different use.
Sure, you could just look at the care instructions to see how to care for your new piece. Alternatively, you can test out different detergents and cleaning products on the swatch to see what works and what doesn’t.
Pepsi’s logo has also sparked conspiracy theories
Most of us are familiar with Pepsi’s logo, but the brand’s logos of yesteryear have sparked a lot of conversation. For example, when consumers realized that turning a Pepsi upside down revealed the message “isded,” it sent social media into a tizzy.
There’s no confirmation around whether this is deliberate (or has any meaning at all), but any press is good press, I suppose. Maybe one day we’ll find out if the former “Brad’s Drink” has any hidden meanings beyond the intellectual story behind their current logo.
Your toothpaste’s colored stripes have different duties
Several decades ago, the world of dentistry and oral health changed forever. Beyond healthy tooth maintenance, consumers wanted a toothpaste that would do more. The brand Aquafresh took note and added a blue stripe to their formula for fresh breath.
But they didn’t stop there. Soon, gum health became a hot topic, so they added a red stripe, thus introducing the triple-action toothpaste we’re all familiar with today. So, just know that those stripes aren’t meant to enhance the taste, but they serve to work overtime on maintaining a clean, healthy mouth.
Rivets prolong your denim’s lifespan
Jeans are the style staple choice of millions, from models to farmers to everyone in between. Given how they’ve evolved over the last several decades, it’s easy to overlook certain details, such as the tiny rivets on denim pockets.
These little guys lend a rugged feel, but that’s not their purpose. They actually strengthen the fabric and prevent tears to make your denim durable for years to come. Talk about small and mighty! That being said—if you’re shopping for denim, make sure they have rivets.
There’s a reason women’s shirt buttons are on the left
Have you ever noticed that women’s button-down shirts have all the buttons sewn on the left side? This may seem like a minor detail, but there’s some history to it. Decades ago, buttons were a status symbol, conveying wealth.
Buttoned shirts signified that you were probably being dressed by a chambermaid. And since buttons on the left side would’ve been on the maid’s right when facing her employer, it was easier to button them. It was from this design that the modern-day button-down shirt got its silhouette!
The ankle eyelets on your shoes can prevent injuries
When lacing your sneakers, you likely skip those extra eyelets below your ankle. However, they do have a function. Well, if you’re ever doing some rigorous exercise—like hiking or climbing—moving your laces up one more row will lend extra stability.
So, next time you’re about to hit the gym or trail, re-lace your kicks and you’ll feel the difference. Your feet (plus your ankles, knees, and hips) will have some extra protection—and will thank you.
McDonald’s golden arches symbolize something unexpected
So, you thought the iconic yellow “M” outside of every McDonald’s represented its namesake? Wrong! There’s been speculation that the M signifies maternal love. More specifically, they are allegedly meant to look like a mother’s breasts.
Whether or not this is 100% true is unclear, but we surely didn’t expect some sort of Freudian inspiration behind their logo. Anyway, next time you pass a McDonald’s, you’ll have something new to think about.
The holes in pen caps are for your safety
Chances are, you’ve likely chewed a pen cap at some point in your life. If not, you certainly know someone guilty of the habit. Luckily for pen chewers, the tiny holes found on pen caps exist so that they can’t be choked on.
Yup, much like LifeSavers candies, the holes prevent asphyxiation in case someone accidentally swallows the cap. Originally, manufacturers feared that children would be prone to choking on caps, but we’d reckon that adults are just as vulnerable to this mishap.
This feature on your pots and pans will prevent mess
If you’re someone who stores your pots and pans by hanging them, we have some news for you: the holes in their handles aren’t technically meant for that. Instead, they serve to hold your spoon or ladle so you don’t have to set it down and make a mess.
That’s right! If you didn’t already know this hack, you’re welcome. Now, you can use fewer utensils and keep your kitchen a little cleaner while cooking and baking. (Ya know, if you do either of those things.)
You don’t need to smack your ketchup bottle
We’ve already discussed mustard, so let’s talk ketchup. When you’re out to eat and a bottle of Heinz is brought to your table, fear not. These bottles may have a reputation for not dispensing ketchup quickly enough, prompting a smackdown at the table.
We’re happy to share that there is a simpler, less painful way to get some ketchup on your plate. According to a spokesperson from Heinz, you just need to tap the “57” where the bottle narrows, and the ketchup will come out with no problem.
Wooden hangers protect your clothes
When you’re perusing a department store for clothes hangers, you’ll probably see no shortage of plastic, wire, and velvet ones. But there’s a different type of clothes hanger that protects your clothes, and they happen to be wooden.
Typically made from cedarwood, said wooden hangers which have the natural ability to repel bugs and moths. So, if you own any garments that are vulnerable to insect nibbles, we urge you to opt for wooden ones to protect your clothes (even if they’re slightly more expensive).