mysterious objects.
People frequently upload photographs asking questions such as:
“What is this?”
“Found this in my grandparents’ attic.”
“My neighbor uses this every day.”
Thousands of internet users enjoy solving these puzzles.
Sometimes the answers are surprisingly simple.
Other times, they turn out to be fascinating pieces of history.
The Importance of Context
An object’s appearance alone rarely tells the whole story.
The same item can seem completely different depending on where it’s found.
For example, a rubber strap could be exercise equipment, medical equipment, a luggage accessory, or
