e
An Unusual Vintage Design for an Implement Holder (We Think)
Do you know what the heck this thing holds?
Over on the endlessly entertaining "What is This Thing" subreddit, user babblbubblr posted this object:
"Does anyone know what this might be for? This is mounted on the stairwell side of our basement door frame. The arms can be pushed up to expand the gap at the bottom and pushed down to close it. 1920s Midwest bungalow."
It's obviously a gravity-based implement holder, but the question is, what's the implement? One reader theorized it's to hold a wet mop, allowing it to dry; but the OP responds that there isn't much room there for a mop, not to mention the object is mounted directly on the other side of this door:
So I'd say mop is out. Any ideas? World's most elaborate scarf holder for, er, people who put on scarves to enter their basement?
-
oFavorite This
-
Q5Comment
Directory Company Profiles
Core77
Industrial Design
Resources
Industrial Design
Resources
-
Core77 Directory
Find the Best Industrial Design CompaniesGo -
SGW Designworks
We create hardware that endures. SGW Designworks is focused on the engineering and design of ...
-
219 Design
219 Design is an interdisciplinary product engineering firm based in Silicon Valley. Our team of mec...
-
WhipsawWhipsaw, under the leadership of design visionary Dan Harden, is a highly acclaimed strategy, indust...
-
Sundberg-Ferar | Product Innovation Studio
Sundberg-Ferar, a product design firm, helps the world's leading durable product companies to turn c...
-
Tactile
Tactile is a product and UX design firm founded in 2004. Blending physical and digital design, we cr...
-
Unbox Product Design
Unbox Product Design is an international award-winning full-stack product development firm providing...
-
Artiform Design
We give shape to the future by designing, refining, and engineering next-generation devices and expe...
K
{Welcome
Create a Core77 Account
Already have an account? Sign In
By creating a Core77 account you confirm that you accept the Terms of Use
K
Reset Password
Please enter your email and we will send an email to reset your password.
Comments
It's probably for removing boots. You push the heel into the Jaws til they are wedged in place, lower your foot until they grip, and then pull your foot out of the boot.
Looks like it could hold the barrel of a shotgun. Often stashed behind a door in those days. A mop tipping over is not that big of a deal. A shotgun however could go off if it fell over or tumbled down the stairs.
Perhaps you could pull a temporary retractable wash line up from the basement to dry laundry?
Nice!
I walked through SEARS catalogue 1908 and 1922 and had a blast, but design-wise it's probably from a later date as the design seems to clean for this periode. I spent a little time in the 1935 catalogue, designwise a better fit, but also without any luck - in the basement/ broom/ umbrella category. In addition to the later it could be a flashlight holder although it seems a bit to heavy dutie for that purpose. Looking forward for the final resolution!
Sorry, no answer found.
I tried all combinations of usage, time periods, clamps and provided possible solutions. Google knows a lot of stuff, but not what this is :-)