Planet Earth is a wonderful place, home to millions of species of plants, animals and us, the human beings, who build the world as we know it. Throughout history we have been able to invent endless gadgets, from something simple like the wheel, to much more complex things like cell phones, weapons and vehicles capable of taking us to the Moon.
However, although there are many objects, spaces or customs that are recognized worldwide; each corner of the planet has its unique details. For example, in the West spoons are used to eat while in the East chopsticks predominate; It’s something we all know. But if aliens decide to visit us one day, they would surely be surprised to see the utensils we use to feed ourselves. That is, both serve the same purpose but are totally different from each other.
And the same thing happens among us, because in many regions there are rules and customs that are very different from ours. So when we travel to see the world, we come across these strange things that we have no idea what they are for. And despite the fact that we put all our effort into deciphering the mystery, it turns out that it is not enough and we must ask someone to solve our doubts.
That is why we want to show you a collection of photographs taken by some tourists so that internet experts can answer what their role in life is. Perhaps you have also had the same question at some point, and if you have not yet resolved it, we hope you will do so next.
1. Metal triangles on the corners of the stairs
They serve so that dust and other debris do not accumulate in the corners.
2. A metal shed on a canal in Japan
It is a garbage collection area. There are usually garbage containers near the houses but when these are missing, the garbage is deposited in these cages. The reason they are on the channel is so that they are not in the way.
3. Mirrors near the floor on a train in England
They help make it easier to see if there are items left under the seats.
4. Giant furrows and without apparent order in a field
Before carrying out construction works, these excavations should be made to ensure that there are no buried archaeological objects that could be damaged. It is usually only done on suspected sites.
5. Inflated tubular bag sticking out of a house window
It is a positive pressure ventilation. It is used when there is a mold problem and the area is being cleaned as it generates dust with mold spores. That bag is the exhaust from an air cleaning machine.
6. A curious sign at a train station in Rothenthurm, Switzerland
It is for drivers and tells them the correct place to stop the train
7. Pink smoke coming out of a factory
No, it’s not a gender reveal party.
It is actually a garbage treatment plant where waste is converted into ethanol. This smoke is a by-product of burning items that are high in iodine.
8. This mark on the floor of a park in Mexico.
It is the international symbol for ‘assembly point’. Indicates where people should position themselves in an emergency; usually in Mexico it is used during tremors.
9. A pipe right in the middle of a canal in Norrköping, Sweden
The object is known asthe fifth chimney» and is a work of art by Jan Svenungsson. It was built in 1999 and is 14 meters high.
10. Chains attached to poles throughout a park
They are for hanging hammocks.
11. Green plastic rectangles attached to the dividing wall of the highway
These are anti-glare screens; They serve so that the headlights do not blind the driver of the opposite direction at night.
12. Small wooden tunnel on the road
It is a covered bridge and its purpose is to protect the wood from inclement weather.
13. Metal ring around several trees in a London park
It is an artistic project by the British Ackroyd and Harvey known as “Historic Trees”. There are 10 of them and the rings that measure 6 meters in diameter are there to differentiate them from the rest of the trees.
14. Tennis player Iga Swiatek used this device before a semifinal match
It’s a sensor that monitors your brain and heart to measure stress levels.
15. These parked cars have cloth covered street-side mirrors.
Prevent birds from attacking mirrors.