Let's Play Deductions!

[Shadow Dweller]

It surely looks like a rubber sponge except that the cut looks too neat.

[Van Buren Supernova]

It was functional. And some part of my question hit something, I guess it's probably what they used to be, or they have different original form.

 

If I see from the picture, I see laptop, some kind of checkered fabric and you probably thirsty, what can I deduce from that? Nothing. XD

Except that maybe this thing is safe enough, doesn't contain unusual chemical that could be dangerous to your workplace and indoor. And it probably has something to do with your work and your daily or usual usage.

 

It looks a bit like dog vomit fungus (google if any of you feels like it :p) but obviously not, because that is fully organic.

 

Could this be something made of something else? Some kind of art project, like papier mache. Does the original material contain paper?

Why did you say it was usable? Is it because it's defective now, something wrong with the production so it's a failed product, or because it had passed its usable period?

Is it some kind of eraser or something to paint? I liked to use random object to smudge my painting and this seems like something that come in handy, to create or to erase/fix.

 

Or is it some kind of stuffing for protecting packaging or stuff from scratch and unwanted contact with other things? Because it seems to have volume that could come in handy for that purpose, like bubble wrap concept.

 

And last of many questions, do ordinary people, :p, usually know what it is, or this thing is somewhat more familiar to people with specific knowledge about the use?

[Arcadia]

Nope, still not a sponge. :P
 

And some part of my question hit something, I guess it's probably what they used to be, or they have different original form.

Correct.

 

Okay, I thought maybe someone would recognize it right off, because once I'd found it, it seemed like it was everywhere on the internet. But since no one has recognized it, I think I need to give more clues to be fair.

 

Clue 1: Nothing else in the picture has anything to do with it. (See why I think I need to give more clues? )

 

Clue 2: It is an everyday object. But something has happened to it so it no longer looks like what it really is.

 

Clue 3: I would assume most people in developed countries have contact with it every day (in its normal form) or at least several days a week. In undeveloped countries, chances to use it may be less, I'm not sure.

 

Clue 4: It's very inexpensive.

 

Clue 5: The thing that happened to it was also caused by an everyday item, but not as everyday as the thing in the picture.  Again, economics will determine whether someone is likely to have this other item or not. But here in the States, even the poor would usually have one. In rural Rwanda, probably very few people have one, because......?

 

See if that gets you anywhere.

[SherlockedCAMPer]

Bringing it over to this page for easier guessing.

 

 

Is the item from man-made materials?

[Arcadia]

Traditionally it is made from naturally-occurring materials, but these days the commercial varieties probably also contain man-made.

 

By the way, of the guesses VBS made above, the only one that is right on target is that this safe (non-toxic) and for everyday use.

[Van Buren Supernova]

Something common, inexpensive, everyday object but then this is economically comparable (the likeliness of owning it).

 

What consider common, for example, by people in developed countries, but not some other place, like example, rural Rwanda?

 

Three basic of human needs: food, clothing and housing.

 

First, I was thinking of food. But eliminate it since you said it's not edible.

 

Then I move the chain of needs to clothing. I thought this could be damaged wool, but then again, wool is not cheap and even the damaged once doesn't look like this.

 

Then housing. This looks like those insulation or material used for house or piping, and some does have this kind of texture. But I was holding to 'changing form'. It could be damaged material, but you never see damaged housing material this clean. And I did mention insulation and you didn't even bother to look at me. :p

 

So I move the chain further up, something that is not really very basic necessity, some people may use few times a week. That is quite a lot of contact, and shouldn't be something hidden, like insulation. This should be an obvious direct object. Then I tried to pair it with another everyday thing, as you said, that cause this shape to the original object. Then you said this object may still be usable. And something click.

 

I always suspect this shape is caused by expansion, most possibly thermal expansion, based on the hollow parts that fill it, and the way it's shaped, it looks like it is 'bloated'. So, pairing everyday object and another everyday object that cause it, something inexpensive but there is a possibility that this thing is probably not common someplace, I am thinking soap, I remember there are a lot of cool things that can be done with microwave involving heat and the effect.

 

Is it soap being microwaved?

[Arcadia]

Apparently I gave too many clues. :p Yes ma'am, you are once again the big winner, it is indeed soap that has been microwaved. But it sure looks edible!

 

Guess what; your turn!

[Van Buren Supernova]

I would need much longer time if you didn't say the thing that caused the shape is everyday stuff too. I was wandering aimlessly around possible chemical reactions, and considering weather and water damage, but I stuck at most of them being either organic or something I had mentioned before.

 

So yah, once you mentioned it's everyday object, that basically eliminate a lot of things, especially because the bloated and bulbous shape stuck in my mind, so it's very relatable to something to do with heat.

 

I am on a trip, so I can't stick around for long for another couple of days and have nothing with me now. So anyone, feel free to post anything if you have it.

[Fantasy Lover]

What is special about this painting?

[Arcadia]

You mean other than it's a famous work by Van Eyck that was stolen and never seen again?

[Van Buren Supernova]

Oh interesting, I didn't know that. My art knowledge is equivalent with my makeup knowledge. So it must be in a living room of some rich eccentric billionaire now?

 

Anyway I definitely let my mind run wild without any intelligent answer.

 

I was actually looking at the black lump on the left side of the painting. I thought it's weird and caught my eyes rightaway. It looks like the first guy's hunchback with way too perfect curve. I know it's probably the horse's butt, but that horse certainly has different fashion sense with the rest and not so smart about practicality as it covered the butt too much it would get... messy around that area :p, maybe that's why the horse looks at the painter knowingly.

 

Then I was thinking about the formation. This looks like a very chaotic outing as they are very close to each other without giving impression that they are in a rush. Why would they? Seems like the setting is natural, it doesn't look like they are on some designated path so naturally it's probably more desirable to have some distance with each other especialy when dealing with animals. The man in red robe looks kingly but he is not, because there is no protective formation and he has one of the worst position should any danger come knocking.

 

They certainly have fancy impractical hats except one guy who looks like carrot-top young Mycroft.

The weather looks cold from what they wear but I don't see any gloves. So maybe the weather is not that cold and the elaborate dressing is just for aesthetic purpose for events or just corresponds with the timing, which I have absolutely no idea when it is. Looks medieval.

 

Last observation, the first horse has sexy legs. :D

Because I tried to look at the painting differently, trying to catch any optical illusion but that leg keeps distracting me.

 

 

P.S. Thanks for posting! Sorry haven't posted anything for long time, I had some but the clues on the pictures are not enough for deduction or it's way too specific.

[J.P.]

The said butt has no corresponding head.

[SherlockedCAMPer]

I thought the same about the black horse and realized that the horse's head is probably blocked by the people in front of it.

[Fantasy Lover]

You mean other than it's a famous work by Van Eyck that was stolen and never seen again?

You're right, your turn.

[Arcadia]

It's part of a larger work called the Ghent Alterpiece, there's a nice big picture of the whole thing here. It supposedly represents "The Just Judges", but since I have no idea who they are, I can't tell you much more than that. Painted in the 1400's.

 

Will look for something.

 

ETA: so far not having any luck, so if anyone else has something.....

[Van Buren Supernova]

Why.. do they separate the paintings that way.

 

 

 

Nevermind.

 

See if you guys can guess what is the product outcome from these?

[Arcadia]

Why.. do they separate the paintings that way.

Partly so it can be folded up into a smaller piece. If you look closely you can see hinges between some of the panels.

 

Nevermind.

 

See if you guys can guess what is the product outcome from these?

Severed fingers?

 

I'll have to take a closer look later, gotta run.

[Van Buren Supernova]

But... why do you want to fold paintings?

Don't they already take the most minimum wall space?

I notice although the paintings are connected, it seems like they are painted subsequently/separately (instead of one painting divided into smaller ones) because most smaller details don't match..maybe that's why they have separate framing, but I still wonder why you need those hinges. Hmmm... unless this is taken from that eccentric billionaire's house and he needs to fold and cover the paintings regularly whenever there are unwanted visitors since they are stolen stuffs! AHA!

 

Oh. And not severed fingers.

No other attempt? Because I actually have another picture ready for deduction :p

[Fantasy Lover]

Something to do with clothing?

[Arcadia]

But... why do you want to fold paintings?

Don't they already take the most minimum wall space?

I notice although the paintings are connected, it seems like they are painted subsequently/separately (instead of one painting divided into smaller ones) because most smaller details don't match..maybe that's why they have separate framing, but I still wonder why you need those hinges. Hmmm... unless this is taken from that eccentric billionaire's house and he needs to fold and cover the paintings regularly whenever there are unwanted visitors since they are stolen stuffs! AHA!

 

Oh. And not severed fingers.

No other attempt? Because I actually have another picture ready for deduction :P

 

A smaller size makes it easier to move them. Now, why would you want to move them? Beats me. Maybe to rescue them from the godless hordes? Maybe to take them from church to church.

 

Does your picture have something to do with a printing press of some kind? Printing on cloth instead of paper, maybe? Because it looks like the rollers in the second image are mixing red paint. Or blood.

[Van Buren Supernova]

@Fantasy: The particular object has nothing to do with clothing, but it has a 'cousin' that has something to do with clothing.

 

@Arcadia: There is some printing process, but not on things you mentioned.

Yah, that is paint, not blood.

 

Blood is unpractical for printing, harvesting it creates a lot of wastage and involves too much works.. :p

[SherlockedCAMPer]

@Fantasy: The particular object has nothing to do with clothing, but it has a 'cousin' that has something to do with clothing.

 

@Arcadia: There is some printing process, but not on things you mentioned.

Yah, that is paint, not blood.

 

Blood is unpractical for printing, harvesting it creates a lot of wastage and involves too much works.. :p

Who said the blood was human let alone real? ;)

[Van Buren Supernova]

Who said the blood was human let alone real? ;)

Why not?

There are 7 billions and counting. :p

[Arcadia]

Just putting this where I can see it.

 

The picture on top ... looks like there might be settings for different colors of ink? And the shiny thing looks like a drum roller, like you would make hot press paper with. Hmmm. The top three photos all suggest printing press to me. The bottom one suggest hardware store.

 

But what do you print on besides paper or cloth? Plastic? Cellophane? Are they making some kind of packaging?

[Van Buren Supernova]

Yes I believe there is some color setting on the first picture.

Not printing press not hardware store, but if you investigate the connection thread long enough eventually they are related somehow.

 

Not packaging.

 

Clue: this thing has existed for a looong time.