# What mundane ordinary items fascinate you? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 25, 2014, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587 "2014-06-25T05:56:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/41 "2014-06-26T06:08:01Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > My penis. This. **Smeghead** ’s penis. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/42 "2014-06-26T10:50:26Z")
Dogs. What are they thinking? Why are the so eager and happy? Are they laughing? ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/43 "2014-06-26T11:44:15Z")
Zippers. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/44 "2014-06-26T12:24:29Z")
Well, most everything mentioned so far is small-ish and handheld, I am going to go in a different direction of mundane - as in wide-spread use day-to-day. Airplane - so, it weighs many tons, and is big as a building, but because it’s shaped a certain way, and can move at a certain velocity it floats through the air? Nuh uh. Film/movie - OK, a series of still pictures, displayed in sequence at a certain speed, with or without accompanying sound, can make me happy or sad or scared or aroused or angry or adoring, etc. HUh, wow. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/45 "2014-06-26T12:34:55Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > Well, most everything mentioned so far is small-ish and handheld. I think you might have offended Smeghead. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/46 "2014-06-26T13:41:27Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > …Airplane - so, it weighs many tons, and is big as a building, but because it’s shaped a certain way, and can move at a certain velocity it floats through the air? Nuh uh… Username / post combo of the day. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/47 "2014-06-26T14:15:54Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > Books, newspapers and magazines. There is just something facinating about words printed on paper. I know I can get the same information from an LED screen but, dangit, it’s just not the same! The idea that I put what was once in Shakespeare’s mind into mine is absolutely fascinating. Books are magic! ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/48 "2014-06-26T14:33:14Z")
Staple removers ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/49 "2014-06-26T14:38:52Z")
Toilet paper ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/50 "2014-06-26T14:48:38Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > I think you might have offended Smeghead. Oh, I think Smeghead can “fend for himself”, as it were. (He probably does, all the time. :D) ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/51 "2014-06-26T15:04:43Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > This. **Smeghead** ’s penis. duct taped: two fascinating mundane things, the sum of which are greater than its parts! ---
**Author:** ![Lorene89095](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@Lorene89095](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorene89095)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/52 "2014-06-26T15:05:51Z")
Everything mentioned,aside from the penis. Bread… So much made from so little. Yarn… How did someone think of this? ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/53 "2014-06-26T16:09:30Z")
> [@OldGuy](#): > > Phonograph records and phonographs. I can understand you you can record a lot of information on a tape, CD, DVD, etc. But it is amazing to me that the mechanical process that creates a record can possibly contain enough information for high fidelity reproduction. > [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > All that and more: Hi-fi repro is produced by the record groove minutely squeezing a _diamond_, which somehow creates a tiny electrical current that is specific enough to play back the info once the tiny current is increased by a magnitude. I’m sure Gandalf is somehow responsible. 😉 > [@Peanuthead](#): > > **Burpo**. I recall reading somewhere (pretty sure it was here on the SDMB) that the “diamond” needles in phonographs didn’t really contain an actual diamond. They were called diamond needles because they were diamond shaped. > [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > I was all ready to agree with you, **Peanuthead** , believing my Dad had skunked me again, but a quick perusal of Wikipedia says “Diamond” needles were actual diamonds, “Sapphire” were actual sapphires and one version had a sapphire needle with a diamond tip. > > The Wiki article is under “[Phonograph](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phonograph),” subhead “styli,” and I’m going to read it more in-depth tomorrow as I’m ready to pass out for the night. > > Do we have actual truth in advertising, here? The mind boggles. 😉 Well, unless Wikipedia has really whiffed (always a possibility), I’m standing by my original statement. About the “needles.” I’m probably over-simplifying the electronics part of it. ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/54 "2014-06-26T16:52:33Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Well, unless Wikipedia has really whiffed (always a possibility), I’m standing by my original statement. About the “needles.” I’m probably over-simplifying the electronics part of it. I just read the Wiki article and I stand corrected sir. ---
**Author:** ![tallcoldone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9a140/32.png) [@tallcoldone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tallcoldone)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/55 "2014-06-26T16:58:54Z")
Thermostats. Essentially, two small strips of different metals, bonded together in a coil, that can keep my house comfy, my water hot, my fridge and freezer cold, and not requiring any input besides one set-and-forget. How much of modern life’s comforts depend on this little wonder? I am in awe… ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/56 "2014-06-26T17:06:51Z")
> [@Peanuthead](#): > > I just read the Wiki article and I stand corrected sir. The next time this pops up (and it will), you and I gang up on 'em and smoke 'em with knowledge. Righteous! 😉 ---
**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:** [June 26, 2014, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/57 "2014-06-26T20:44:07Z")
**Flying**. Yea, I know the physics behind it. But I still find it incredible. **Wireless Communication**. When I was a little tyke I thought it was absolutely amazing that a color TV signal could be broadcast over the air. I said to myself, “This is fucking incredible. When I get older I am going to learn how it works.” And so I did. But I still find it amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Hopeful\_Crow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/da6949/32.png) [@Hopeful\_Crow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hopeful_Crow)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/58 "2014-06-26T21:39:09Z")
Every time I go out in the rain, I’m amazed and thankful to have durable shoes that don’t leak. I’m of an age when I remember when most shoes had leather soles. Sure, boys could get rubber-soled Keds but, it seems to me, girls and adults didn’t really have that much of a choice in the matter. I remember often coming home from school with my shoes soaked through. I’m sure my brother did too, Keds or not. I also remember Pops wearing holes in his soles, then cutting out cardboard and stuffing his shoes with it. In a choice between putting off getting a new pair a little longer and keeping his kids fed, his kids won. I’m sure lots of other Dads back then did the same. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/59 "2014-06-26T21:44:02Z")
Mechanical clocks, the kind where you can see the gears. Microscopes. Telescopes. Magnifying Glasses. Magnets. **But not Baking Soda Volcanoes!** ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587/60 "2014-06-26T22:07:03Z")
A car magazine recently mentioned, well, cars. A machine almost as complex as an private airplane with a fraction of the maintenance. Not something I use everyday, but very common - rocks. Amazing how beautiful even commonly found ones can be with a bit of polishing. I’ve got a jar on my coffee table of different types and people are always fiddling with them, surprised they aren’t valuable. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-mundane-ordinary-items-fascinate-you/691587.md?page=4)