A lot of people love toting vintage-looking backpacks that have a patch-shaped square on them. They are very popular. But, did you know that they actually serve a purpose other than looking cool and vintage? Called a “lash tab” or “pig snout” (you can imagine why), this patch was originally designed for travel packs to allow people to carry extra gear on their backpacks.
Cords and strings can fit through the two tabs of the patches, allowing wearers to hang extra stuff on the front of the bag. This especially comes in handy if you go camping and need to carry extra supplies to fasten them to your pack. While you probably aren’t doing much hiking with this backpack, at least you know that you can hang stuff on the outside in case the need ever comes about!
Extra Holes in Sneakers
Unless you've been having your shoes tied for you since the time you were born (that's another issue that we won't address here), then you have most definitely noticed the extra hole at the top of your shoes that aren't being used by the laces. Have you ever questioned why they're there? The extra holes are there in the case that people get blisters on their feet and need to move their feet around inside of their shoe.
They can place their shoelaces in the extra holes but in the opposite direction. This creates a loop on each side, thus allowing you to cross your laces inside each loop. Then you can pull down on the laces to create a much tighter lock before tying your laces normally. This maneuver is called the “lace lock” or “heel lock,” and it helps make sure that your shoes remain tight to your feet.
Tab on Rearview Mirror
You've most likely noticed that the rearview mirror in your car includes a tab at the bottom of it. Even if you know that this black tab is there, this doesn't mean you know its purpose. Well, its purpose is to help you not die. The black little tab allows you to change the position of the mirror so that you can control the glare of lights behind you.
For example, you can tilt the mirror to reduce the brightness of the headlights of the car behind you. The tab allows you to manually do this. It works at deflecting light without preventing you from seeing that there’s a car behind you. It’s a very overlooked safety feature in cars. These types of mirrors were introduced in the 1930s, and by the 1970s, they were standard equipment in most cars and trucks.
Plastic Lids on Cups
You will probably gawk at this next one and slap yourself for never having realized this. The plastic lid that comes along with your disposable cup can also be used as a coaster, both for coffee cups and soda beverages.
Of course, when you're walking or in the car, you will keep the lid on. But when you sit down to enjoy your caffeine kick, the ridges of the lid are designed to grip your cup and hold it in place. Anyways, now we know better than to indulge in plastic lids... looks like you missed out on the opportunity.
Randomly Placed Buttons on Jeans
If you wear jeans often, then you have most likely noticed all the extra buttons scattered around the pockets of your pants. These buttons, which are technically called rivets, are strategically placed on the jeans to prevent them from getting worn out at the seams and ripping. Imagine your jeans ripping in the middle of an event or a holiday dinner after eating that decadent chocolate cake.
Jean tycoon Levi Strauss has ownership of these rivets, and they have a patent over them. They were introduced in 1829 after miners started to complain about their jeans wearing out very fast. So, young Mr. Strauss started thinking and came up with this product. They help jeans practically last forever. Next time you're out shopping for your next pair of jeans, just make sure that the ones you're purchasing have these bad boys on them.