# What is the key-like object my wife just found? Picture inside **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 16, 2024, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-key-like-object-my-wife-just-found-picture-inside/1008892 "2024-10-16T23:12:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2024, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-key-like-object-my-wife-just-found-picture-inside/1008892/21 "2024-10-17T20:46:09Z")
It’s part of a set that comes with one of these… [![](https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/paper-football-instructions-600x600.jpg) ](https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/paper-football-instructions-600x600.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Drummond\_Bays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@Drummond\_Bays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drummond_Bays)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2024, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-key-like-object-my-wife-just-found-picture-inside/1008892/22 "2024-10-18T21:48:24Z")
Key for opening certain types of toilet paper dispensers. Seen 'em a million times, I install them often. ---
**Author:** ![DaveUnknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/94ad74/32.png) [@DaveUnknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveUnknown)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2024, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-key-like-object-my-wife-just-found-picture-inside/1008892/23 "2024-10-18T22:07:00Z")
> [@Drummond\_Bays](#): > > Key for opening certain types of toilet paper dispensers. Interesting, searching your answer, I think they’re called van drehle keys? I see similar but no exact matches. I think its part of a mechanism, like in a lock or something that a cam rides against and moves up or down, in or out, etc. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2024, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-key-like-object-my-wife-just-found-picture-inside/1008892/24 "2024-10-18T22:17:35Z")
> [@DaveUnknown](#): > > Interesting, searching your answer, I think they’re called van drehle keys? I see similar but no exact matches. Yeah, like the light switch key, those contain a hole so you could put them on your key ring. The OP’s does not have a hole. It’s that upside down T-shaped base below the prongs that is interesting to me. I can’t find anything like that, without a hole, for any of the guesses given in this thread so far. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2024, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-key-like-object-my-wife-just-found-picture-inside/1008892/25 "2024-10-18T22:47:08Z")
> [@mixdenny](#): > > No, that’s iridized steel. Is that a different name for [zinc dichromate plated steel](https://codymetalfinishing.com/zincdichromateplating/)? Anyway, that’s the stuff that I always associate with the metal innards of anything large that I took apart as a kid in the 1970s. For example, that plating showed up inside record players. I see it inside old computers as well. ---
**Author:** ![DaveUnknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/94ad74/32.png) [@DaveUnknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveUnknown)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2024, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-key-like-object-my-wife-just-found-picture-inside/1008892/26 "2024-10-19T00:37:11Z")
It’s driving me nuts. I’m inclined to believe the 3rd reply, that it’s some kind of key to unlatch/unlock an electric light or something. Looking at it closely, the narrower tip end seems like it has indications of wear. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2024, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-key-like-object-my-wife-just-found-picture-inside/1008892/27 "2024-10-19T00:57:47Z")
> [@Drummond\_Bays](#): > > Key for opening certain types of toilet paper dispensers. They certainly look similar. The object in the OP doesn’t have a hole, though. If it were some kind of key, I would expect a hole. ---
**Author:** ![Drummond\_Bays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@Drummond\_Bays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drummond_Bays)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2024, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-key-like-object-my-wife-just-found-picture-inside/1008892/28 "2024-10-19T01:22:51Z")
The keys for light switches tend to have a plastic/rubber/etc cap, both for insulation and comfort. It’s too small to be a tool/wrench, besides, there are very few fasteners that have a square profile as such where a small, throwaway tool would be provided. The current project I am working on will be a long time before bathroom hardware will be installed, hopefully I can snag a picture before this thread goes The Walking Dead. I do not know the name, the material, or any details. I can say with certainty they come fibre taped to stainless steel toilet paper dispensers (and other similar products - sanitary napkin receptacles, and the like.) I am sure there are many other applications, where minimal “security” is needed. Forgive me - it’s been a long day and the rye went down quickly - I wish I could be more SDMB eloquent ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2024, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-key-like-object-my-wife-just-found-picture-inside/1008892/29 "2024-10-19T13:28:43Z")
Definitely a one-time-use thing, like others said, no way to hang it. It looks like something to remove a large spring or C clip from a consumer device. Like some kind of curtain rod or lamp. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-key-like-object-my-wife-just-found-picture-inside/1008892.md?page=1)