A homeowner was completely thrown off after finding a small plastic tube filled with an orangish liquid sitting in their living room.
The item looked totally out of place, and they had no idea what it could be or where it came from.
Puzzled, they decided to post a photo of the mysterious tube on Reddit’s popular forum r/whatisthisthing, hoping the online community could shed some light.
The photo showed a tiny plastic cylinder sealed with an orange stopper.
In the post, they wrote, “I found this little plastic tube filled with some orangish liquid in my living room. I have no idea what it might be, and nothing I’ve looked up online seems to match.”
Reddit Users Solve the Mystery Quickly
The post caught the attention of hundreds of Reddit users who jumped in with guesses and explanations.
After some discussion, the truth became clear: the strange tube was actually a fountain pen ink cartridge.
One user said simply, “That’s a fountain pen ink cartridge,” while another added, “It’s a standard international cartridge used by many pen manufacturers.”
Nostalgic Memories Flood the Comments
This discovery brought back a flood of memories for many Redditors.
Older users recalled how common these cartridges once were.
“When I was in elementary school, these were the pens we used — ballpoint pens hadn’t taken over yet,” shared one user, remembering the early 1960s and the messiness of ink leaks.
Another chimed in, “I used these in the 90s, maybe a Schaeffer pen?” referencing a popular brand from their youth.
Another Home Mystery: The Couch’s Folding Feature
This wasn’t the only mystery solved on r/whatisthisthing recently.
Another user posted about a confusing foldable section on their couch that they’d never understood, despite owning it for years.
The user, Necessary-Comedian78, shared a photo and asked, “What’s the purpose of this folding part at the back of my couch? I’ve had it forever and can’t figure it out.”
They explained that the cushions felt uncomfortable when placed back while the section was folded, leading to frustration.
Like the tube, this question quickly went viral as Redditors debated its function.
The Practical Reason Behind the Fold
Redditors explained that the folding mechanism actually serves a smart and practical purpose: it makes large sofas easier to transport through regular doorways and to store.
“It’s designed to make the back flush with the arms, so the cushions sit properly and the whole piece becomes more compact for shipping and storage,” one commenter clarified.
What Will Be the Next Mystery?
From forgotten pen cartridges to hidden furniture designs, Reddit’s r/whatisthisthing community keeps uncovering fascinating everyday objects and features that many people don’t recognize.
There’s always something new waiting to be discovered!