long after the original equipment has disappeared.
The family may have removed an old clock, replaced curtains, renovated windows, or changed the interior of the house, yet kept the unusual metal components because they were too interesting—or simply too useful—to throw away.
Eventually, nobody remembers exactly what they were originally used for.
And that is how ordinary household hardware can become a mystery several generations later.
The Shape Provides Important Clues
Look closely at the objects.
They are elongated and relatively narrow. Their surfaces contain numerous raised rings or ribs.
There’s more to discover. Continue to the next page for the rest of this article.
