Did you know the chainsaw wasn’t originally invented to cut wood? It first appeared in the late 18th century as a medical tool meant to help during difficult childbirths. As terrifying as that sounds, it looked nothing like the large, powerful device we know today—though it probably wasn’t a particularly pleasant sight either.
It just goes to show that products don’t always end up being used the way their inventors intended. One Redditor asked people to share things that are now commonly used for completely different purposes, and the responses were full of surprising examples. We gathered some of the most curious ones here. Scroll down to see what they shared.
#22
Butter knives. The Swiss Army knife of kitchens everywhere. It’s a screwdriver, lock picker, garden tool and, if it’s a good one, a pry bar.
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14points
#23
Although the manufacturer gave up many decades ago, the classic answer is "Kleenex". It was originally marketed to be used with cold cream to remove makeup. Eventually it became obvious that they were selling far more of them for people to blow their noses into, and they became "nasal tissues".
13points
#24
Whipped cream charger canisters. For some strange reason the community around my local dodgy gas station smoke shop are making so much whipped cream that they need industrial-sized 4-liter tanks of mango-flavored nitrous oxide available for purchase 24 hours a day. I guess there are a lot of confectioners living in the rough part of town.
13points
#26
Baby lotion as insect repellant.
12points
#28
I turned a heating pad for my back into a warmer for horse bits. Designed a clamshell device to put it in, place the bit across the inside, and close it. Warms them up quickly and safely in the winter.
10points
#29
A few classics:
* WD40 and duct tape - marketed narrow, used for literally everything, and the companies lean into it.
* Vaseline - sold as skin protectant, half the internet uses it for eyelashes, squeaky hinges, and "personal" reasons the label will never mention
* Baby oil / baby powder - the "baby" branding is doing a lot of polite pretending.
* Sharpies on skin for tattoo stencils, surgical marking - not the intended surface, universally done anyway.
* WD40 and duct tape - marketed narrow, used for literally everything, and the companies lean into it.
* Vaseline - sold as skin protectant, half the internet uses it for eyelashes, squeaky hinges, and "personal" reasons the label will never mention
* Baby oil / baby powder - the "baby" branding is doing a lot of polite pretending.
* Sharpies on skin for tattoo stencils, surgical marking - not the intended surface, universally done anyway.
10points
#30
I got an avocado smasher for making guacamole. Though good for guaq, its the absolute most perfect thing for making deviled egg filling.
9points
#31
Microsoft Excel is NOT a database!
8points
#32
Bubble wrap was originally invented to be wallpaper.
Chainsaws were originally invented to help during childbirth.
Chainsaws were originally invented to help during childbirth.
8points
#35
Melamine sponge (magic eraser) will scuff the surface of both acrylic paint and solvent based paint (not tried on oil) just enough to key it for a fresh layer of gesso/paint/thick medium/whatever; without damaging canvas integrity.
7points
#37
I use my adjustable hammer to loosen nuts and bolts occasionally.
6points
#38
Apparently ramen is a universal filler for damaged masonry. At least according to TikTok. .
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4points
