We see these things every day but often don’t even notice their obvious functions or know what they’re really used for.
We at SmallJoys have now learned why there is an arrow on the car fuel gauge and what indentations in bottle bottoms are for — and we’re happy to share this knowledge with you.
Why there is an arrow on your car’s fuel gauge
Car manufacturers added this little arrow for drivers to know which side of the car their gas tank lid is without looking from outside. It’s very convenient if you’ve just bought a new car or borrowed your friend’s car. However, not all cars have this feature.
What rivets on jeans pockets are for
Jeans were originally designed as durable working clothes for miners and gold prospectors. There was a problem, however, because pockets couldn’t withstand the weight of tools and nuggets and so they tore off. Therefore, the rivets were made to prevent this.
Why staplers have this part
In its “normal” mode, a stapler bonds papers with staples on the inside. If you turn the silvery platform 180 degrees, though, staples will bend to the outside, making it easy to take them out if needed without hurting your fingers and also saving the papers.
Why you may need a hole and serration at the end of a tape measure
The hole is intended for the user to attach it to a nail or bolt and measure the distance.
The serrated end will help you mark the place you need if you don’t have a pencil handy.
Why there is a hole at the bottom of a lock
Padlocks are generally used outside, and this hole is drainage for water that gets inside the lock when it rains — otherwise the lock would become rusty. It’s also convenient to oil the lock through it.
How to find out if your phone is wet inside
Many batteries have this special moisture indicator that looks like a little square or a circle, and it changes color from light to red if it’s wet.
Starting with the iPhone 5, Apple smartphones have this indicator in the SIM card slot. To have a good look at the moisture indicator, try using a highlighted magnifying glass or turn your iPhone around beneath a light until you see the indicator clearly.
Why there are small bumps on the F and J keys
They’re helpful when you type using the touch method with ten fingers. These keys are “anchors” — you put your index fingers on them.
How to correctly tear sticky notes from their block
If you tear sticky notes off from below, the edge rolls up and the note will get unstuck with time. To avoid this, tear it off along the sticky part.
Why you need this aperture in an iPhone
The hole on the back of your iPhone, between the camera lens and the flash, is a second microphone. It diminishes the surrounding noise and makes your speech clear of any unwanted sounds.
Why there is a pin and a hole in a garlic press
It’s not only a garlic press — it’s also a device to get rid of cherry stones. Put a berry in the hole at the end of the handle, and the pin on the other handle will press the stone out when you push it.
Why we need indentations in wine bottle bottoms
These indentations are called punts, and there are several reasons for them to exist:
- There wasn’t special equipment to make bottles before, and it was difficult to make a bottle with a flat bottom. The seam had to be “folded” into the bottle when blown. With time, it became a tradition of sorts.
- When wine needs to age for a long time, a sediment is inevitable. The punts make it accumulate around itself, preventing it from flowing into glasses with the wine.
- In the case of champagne or sparkling wine bottles, the punts help distribute the pressure inside the bottle, lowering the stress on the seam between the walls and the bottom.