Name that thing

[GaryM]

Test it for electrical continuity?

Yeah, we want to be able to rule out 'blasting cap'.

 

[Dave Theisen]

Stick it in a wall outlet and see what happens.

 

[EdFred]

Maybe you use them to jab people in their sleep and then tell them it must be a spider bite.

 

[Matthew]

I dissected one and the metal prongs are not connected in any way. Basically like two these small nails, encased in the plastic.

View attachment 104717

I think you just voided the warranty.

 

[eman1200]

I dissected one and the metal prongs are not connected in any way. Basically like two these small nails, encased in the plastic.

View attachment 104717

maybe it's a nail carrier

 

[Sac Arrow]

I just think it's a heavy duty corkboard push pin, but I can't seem to be able to Google anything. The closest thing is 'dual prong tack' but maybe that is meant to be a temporary one.

 

[Rgbeard]

I'm going with corncob skewer.

'Tho at the Beard household they're more shaped like little ears of corn.

 

[Jim K]

Hey.....is that my #8?

 

[NorthEast Ohio]

Wasn’t the original gonculator powered by steam? I’ll bet there is a market for an updated model, with modern brushless motors and lithium batteries. Of course, if there’s ever a breakthrough battery technology, everybody will want one.

 

[Skyrys62]

Hmmm... I might be able to make some cash.

New micro battery runs your whole house that energy companies don't want you to know about.

 

[eman1200]

so I started a thread in some home improvement forum and didn't really get much more than we got here. sorry bud. I can try the reddit forum if u want, can't imagine why your post would get deleted.

 

[NoHeat]

Looks like the OP’s Reddit post is turning up the idea that it’s for properly spaced poking starter holes in walls, for mounting curtain rods.

 

[Skyrys62]

so I started a thread in some home improvement forum and didn't really get much more than we got here. sorry bud. I can try the reddit forum if u want, can't imagine why your post would get deleted.

I got it posted finally. Lot's of guesses, but nothing notable yet.
The distance between the two prongs is about 3/16"

Thanks for starting the thread. I also sent pics/emails to our maintenance crew. Jokes and shrugs were only responses so far.

 

[Albany Tom]

It might have been some kind of fastener as part of a shipping container. Where the plastic part holds a cardboard tube or something.

My joke answer is that it's the worst made self-rescue tool for walking on a frozen lake ever developed.

 

[Der Fliegermeister]

Can I just say: I love the title of this thread and I hope it stays alive with many iterations of mysterious throwback items of which we might opine their intended utility.

 

[Checkout_my_Six]

WV tooth pick....

 

[Mxfarm]

manual stitcher for sewing leather.

 

[bflynn]

It strikes me as a temporary tack, maybe to hold low voltage wiring in place before you put a staple in? I cannot think of another usage.

I’ll call it a temporary tack.

 

[Arm3]

I'm going with corncob skewer.

'Tho at the Beard household they're more shaped like little ears of corn.

You’ve got the right idea but wrong food. It’s actually used by African swallows to better grip a coconut.