We live in a world that is often very predictable. We try our best to know what is going to happen over the next few days and weeks of our life, and that is exactly how we like it.

There are also times, however, when life can be unpredictable. When that happens, it takes us out of our comfort zone and can make it difficult for us to know what to expect from one moment to the next.

That is where these unique pictures come in. They are objects that are familiar to some, but known to very few people. Fortunately, the Internet is there to help us understand them better. How many did you know?

1. “What is this thing? The inside opens up to empty space, it’s disconnected from the desk below.”

It’s a bed/lap desk. There’s supposed to be a metal bar underneath that slots into the wooden tray, so you can prop it up at different angles for reading and stuff.

2. “What is the purpose of this little door in the door?”

It’s called a ’speakeasy’ and it’s for talking to someone without having to open the door.

3. “My clothes pegs are all individually numbered. Why is that?”

Different molds have different numbers so if they start coming out of the machine messed up, they can identify which mold needs replacing

4. “What is this thing on my wall with a round hole and a small screen inside?”

It’s a pool access alarm to detect if the gate door has been left open mostly so children or pets don’t wander in and potentially drown.

5. “Just bought a house, found this hidden inside the front bushes. Screws in a wooden ball, looks like a mace. What was/is this used for?”

There is/was a trend of making DIY Allium flowers out of recycled metal and other scrap.

6. “What is this thing bolted near the door of our garbage disposal area in Germany? It’s a bit bigger than my fist. It’s not a lock.”

It’s called a Schlüsselrohr. The dumpsters are probably locked to prevent dumpster diving and this contains the key.

7. “What is this thing on this pocketknife? The first one has a little spinning thing. What is it for?”

Pocket glass cutter.

8. “What is this box with arrows on it? Found after an event in our facility, it has no power, no plugs, just these arrows on the top of it.”

This is a cigar humidifier. You either put it in water or put moisturizer onto the arrows to fill it up, then place it in your cigar storage box to keep them humidified.

9. “What is this? Was doing some filling in the yard and found this. Wife says it’s a gravestone. I think it’s a survey marker.”

That’s a grave marker.

10. “My girlfriend brought it when we moved in. What is this?”

It’s an abs exerciser.

11. “What is this little ramp thingy on the bottom of a lotion bottle?”

It’s for the manufacturing of the product so that it can be turned while standing up.