Inventions That Fool Us All
September 7, 2023
•12 min read
Lots of inventions are made to fool us. Let's take a look at some of the sneakiest inventions made just to bamboozle us!
You might think you know it all, but the saying “You learn something new every day” definitely rings true, especially when you’re a Be Amazed fan. There are loads of everyday objects that fool us without us even realizing, and this article will demystify some of them for you!
Cereal Box
There is a simple way to seal your cereal and guarantee the perfect crunch every time. If you roll up the packet, leave the cardboard box open, and hope for the best, you’re doing it all wrong! Not only does that leave your cereal dangerously exposed to the elements, but pesky mice or insects could get in there too, which is not what you want in the morning.
TikTok user KatyBee2020 earned viral fame in 2020 after she shared a fool-proof way to secure your cereal that basically no one knew about. Check it out!Toblerone
We’ve probably all given or received a Toblerone as a gift before, it is delicious, after all; but how exactly do you go about eating it? Whether nibbling it or biting off a chunk, there’s a much easier way to get your chocolate fix.
For years, we’ve struggled (and failed) to break off the triangle pieces by pulling them towards us, which usually causes a straight-up mess. But fear not people; there’s another way!Toilet Paper Patent
This one has less to do with the toilet paper itself, and more to do with the way you hang it; it’s the age-old “over or under debate”. If you’re one of those people who pull your sheets from underneath, here's a newsflash for you: You’re doing it wrong.
Forget how neat and tidy it looks, it’s all about how sanitary it is. Think about it this way; with the ‘under’ method, the toilet paper is basically touching the wall, which could be home to a whole host of grime and bacteria. In case you need any more confirmation about the ‘right’ way, engineer-turned-writer Owen Williams actually tracked down the original 1891 patent for toilet paper, and this diagram speaks volumes.Heinz 57
An official spokesperson from Heinz has explained that the trick to get the most out of those last few drops is to focus all your attention on the embossed number 57 on the bottleneck. All you need to do is turn the bottle on a 45-degree angle and then hit the sweet spot with a karate-chopping motion using the meaty part of your palm.
Toothpaste
Everyone knows the basic rules of good oral hygiene: brush twice a day for at least two minutes, using a generous line of toothpaste, but one of those things is a total lie. It’s true that adverts usually show a nice dollop of toothpaste that runs along the entire length of the brush, but that’s not necessarily what you should do.
In fact, a pea-sized blob on the end of your toothbrush is more than enough to get your teeth clean. The reason why toothpaste adverts deceive us like this is pretty simple.Towel Displays
If you’ve ever been to Bed, Bath & Beyond before, you’ve probably marveled at their immaculate towel displays that somehow reach the ceiling. You might be wondering what kind of neat freak dreamed up such a mean feat but it’s all a front, literally.
If you really thought it was someone’s job to neatly fold and stack such an immense number of towels, think again! These sneaky foam blocks are probably a total lifesaver for employees because it means a single towel on an out-of-reach shelf can be arranged to create the illusion that there’s a total abundance of them.Toilet Plungers
When it comes to a clogged toilet, the first thing you’ll want to reach for is a plunger. But if use the standard cup plunger, the chances are you’ll be working on that baby for a very long time.
The trusty old red cup plunger might work perfectly fine to unclog a sink or a bathtub, but it would be an amateur move to use on a messed-up toilet. What you really need is the flange plunger. The so-called flange is the sleeve-like extension at the end that fits snugly into the opening at the bottom of a toilet.Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is one of the most versatile ingredients in your cupboard, but there’s one drawback if you’re a fan of the more natural kind. The problem with natural nut butter is that you’ll find yourself having to mix in a load of weird, oily liquid that’s collected on the surface every time you open the lid.
You've Been Pouring Juice Wrong
It’s time to add "pouring juice" to the list of things you’ve been doing wrong all your life. After reaching for a carton of fresh orange juice, most people intuitively put the plastic spout as close to the class as possible.
It makes logical sense until you try to pour it and the juice splatters all over the place as the carton emits an obnoxious glugging sound. But the solution is much simpler than you think.Soda Can Tabs
While soda cans aren’t quite as practical as a bottle, and you don’t get any more bang for your buck, there’s a little-known trick that might just make the can more worthwhile.
Besides helping you crack the bad boy open, those little soda can tabs actually have a secret purpose as a handy straw holder. Next time you crack open a soda, spin the metal tab around over the open hole, stick a straw in it, and your soda experience will be a lot more refreshing.Sports Fields
Laying down a roll of fake grass can be a stress-free way to ensure a perfect lawn without having to agonize about keeping it watered, but it’s easy to forget that AstroTurf is also used to cover entire sports fields. No matter how many sports you play, the illusion is so convincing that it can be hard to remember that the ground you’re standing on isn’t real at all.
Students at Southmoreland High School in Pittsburgh got a rude awakening in August 2013 when they found their football field looking like a scrunched-up carpet.Pot Noodles Secret Gap
Sometimes, cooking seems like such a chore, and that’s precisely why super noodles are such a guilty pleasure. But even your favorite instant meal is totally pulling the wool over your eyes. What’s that secret void at the bottom all about?
Chinese Food Box Turns Into Plate
On the topic of food packaging, did you know that the classic takeout boxes you get from your favorite downtown Chinese joint are more than just a box? In fact, they’re basically transformers. All you have to do is simply pop out the wire handle, untuck the sides of the takeout box, and watch as it effortlessly becomes an easy-to-use plate.
Stamped Concrete
So far, the main takeaway is that you can’t really trust anything to be exactly what it says on the tin these days; not even the ground you walk on, apparently. It might take a moment to wrap your head around, but the guys in the post below really are creating a tiled pavement using a big stencil.
Embed for https://twitter.com/Laughbook/status/539690480347279360 could not be displayed
Where do you find fake cobblestone mats (like pictured) in UK? Google not helping. Urgently wanted 4 filming. Please RT
Foil Boxes
It’s a pretty well-known fact that the serrated edge inside aluminum foil boxes can be used to cut single sheets easily, but that still doesn’t stop the whole roll from jumping out and onto the floor.
After a lifetime of battling the box, allow me to introduce you to the secret tab that’s about to change your life completely. In fact, there are two little tabs on either side of the box, and all you have to do is press them inward to lock the roll in place. That way, you can use oodles of foil to your heart's content!