25 points

At the beginning of the first world war they plotted all military operations using these giant pins. Later in the conflict ‘map pins’ were developed and these ‘land pins’ became obsolete. Another fascinating example of how the horrors of war pushed technology forwards in civilian applications.

permalink
report
reply
25 points

Imho joke answers should be against the rules of the sub.

permalink
report
parent
reply
23 points

Looks like piece of a wheel and an axle from a tractor or a truck or something.

permalink
report
reply
25 points

It’s in the centre of France so it’s actually the France axle.

permalink
report
parent
reply
9 points

Please don’t touch it or you’ll make France all wobbly

permalink
report
parent
reply
3 points

The IWW would like you to touch it

permalink
report
parent
reply
6 points

…otherwise it’d just be sparkling wheel shaft.

permalink
report
parent
reply
6 points

sparking shaft

I should call him …

permalink
report
parent
reply
7 points

Or train

permalink
report
parent
reply
9 points

Marking the exact center of France

permalink
report
reply
6 points
*

i remember seeing somewhere in paris the prime pin

must be around Notre Dame

edit: yes, it indeed is there : point zéro

permalink
report
parent
reply
7 points

It looks very rough, it could be an unfinished part: a fusion that hasn’t received the subsequent machining.
Maybe a flywheel.

permalink
report
reply
5 points

I think that’s just from many years of rust and wear. I doubt that’s the original surface finish

permalink
report
parent
reply
1 point

Could be both

permalink
report
parent
reply
4 points

A large ship engine valve? Maybe an unfinished casting? Finished ones here

permalink
report
reply
4 points

If that’s a valve, the cylinder is probably big enough to climb inside!

permalink
report
parent
reply
2 points

I think it might be a riser or part of a sprue from a larger cast part

permalink
report
parent
reply

What is this thing?

!whatisthisthing@lemmy.world

Create post

Let us help you identify that mysterious object you’ve found.

Currently in CHALLENGE mode: If you’ve got something obscure knocking about, post a picture, and let’s see how we do. Please prefix such posts with “CHALLENGE:” so we know we’ve got a fighting chance.

Community stats

  • 503

    Monthly active users

  • 136

    Posts

  • 1.8K

    Comments

Community moderators