Raise your hand if you freaked out a little the first time you sat in the window seat of an airplane and noticed a tiny hole in the window. We say this not to expose you, but rather to expose the purpose of that hole. This hole doesn’t allude to the fact that the window of your seat is about to explode mid-flight. First of all, the hole is called the breather hole.
If you’ve ever wondered how you’re able to breathe in an airplane when it’s so high up in the air, well, the breather hole plays a part here. When an airplane climbs, air pressure drops outside. Thanks to plane manufacturers, the cabin remains at a safe and comfortable level. If it didn’t, we wouldn’t be able to fly. The breather makes it possible for the two outer panels of the aircraft to manage the pressure difference.
Metal at End of Measuring Tape
Have you ever noticed the small piece of metal at the end of the measuring tape (technically the beginning)? Most likely you have, but you haven't asked yourself what purpose it serves. There are actually several reasons why the metal is there.
To begin with, there's a little slot that can be placed around a nail to help hold the measuring tape in place in case somebody isn't around to hold the other end. Cough cough, roommate. You may have also noticed that the edge of the measuring tape is a bit serrated. The reason for this is so that it's easy to mark a wall or other surface in case you forgot that you put a pencil behind your ear to mark your measurement.
Dip in Wine Bottle
Most likely, you have noticed that wine bottles come with a dip at the bottom. Have you ever asked yourself what exactly the reason is for this? Well, to begin with, the dip, which is actually called a punt or a kick-up, prevents the bottle from falling over. You know when you have a picnic at the beach or outdoors and oftentimes the plates of food fly over and there's a storm of napkins in the air? And then all that strong wind comes trying to knock your bottle over.
Well, the punt says, "I don't think so, mister." The punt also exists in order to make the bottle stronger to hold up against higher pressure if there's champagne or sparkling wine inside. Finally, the punt makes it easier to distribute steam during the cleaning process before the wine is poured in. Although wine bottles are stronger nowadays, they are still manufactured with this indentation in the bottom to keep with the tradition.
Holes in Padlock
Have you noticed that there's a tiny hole at the bottom of the padlock? These holes, as you should have already guessed, serve a purpose. First of all, the holes are there to drain water that has entered the lock. If this wasn't possible and the water couldn't drain out, then it could end up freezing and the lock would be prone to some serious damage.
A second purpose for these holes is to allow you to pour oil or WD-40 in the lock in case it gets jammed and won't open up, which would make the item useless. So, if that treasure chest you dug up as a child has been jammed for years, you now know how to open it and get your hands on the treasure! But, we do deserve a cut of some of that gold.
Hole Next to iPhone Camera
If you use an iPhone then you may have noticed a little hole right next to the camera lens. If you're like most of us, then you most likely didn't pay it much attention as you probably use the selfie cam more anyways. Well, in any event, that tiny hole is not a second secret camera that helps Facebook and the NSA spy on you. It’s actually a microphone.
Since the iPhone 5 was released, all iPhones have included three microphones. One is right under the speaker grill, one is on the bottom edge of the phone, and the third one is right next to the camera lens. Because of the inclusion of three microphones, it's easy to pick up sounds no matter how you choose to hold your phone.