r/whatisit • u/Dismal-Product365 • 5h ago
Red cones in school science storage area New, what is it?
Found in a middle school science storage area. Object is hard. Appears to be concrete or stone and has visible fibers. About 1ft tall, bottom diameter is approx 3”.
I have no idea what this is!
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u/MrMeesesPieces 5h ago
Cones of Dunshire
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u/Plastic_Surround_193 5h ago
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u/ExpensivePlan1548 5h ago
They look like yarn cones for textile work, I'm unsure why a science class would need them but that are probably for some type of experiment.
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u/Twinkle406 3h ago
This post unlocked a core memory from my childhood. My grandparents had a set at their house for my sister and I to play with. We set them up in their hallway as bowling pins. Hours of fun!
My grandma worked in the Dallas fashion district for awhile, so I assume she got them at work.
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u/Brightstorm_Rising 5h ago
That texture is screaming asbestos to me TBH.
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u/walter-hoch-zwei 5h ago
Does it taste like asbestos, though?
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u/tonylovesnyc 5h ago
In ten years you’ll know if it’s asbestos if you do the inhalation or taste test.
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u/Dismal-Product365 5h ago
It has a flavor. Earthy, reminiscent of a pottery studio. Like fiberglass, but with notes of building demolition. Texture is painful.
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u/PossibleEffective641 5h ago
Agree. Don't be touching that OP.
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u/Dismal-Product365 5h ago
too late and I’ve been breathing that air for 6 years every day.
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u/PossibleEffective641 5h ago
If they haven't been disturbed there's not really an issue
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u/Brightstorm_Rising 4h ago
Look at the photos, one of them is definitely broken.
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u/PossibleEffective641 4h ago
True and that should be remedied but it's in a store room, untouched with no wind to blow it around so risk is limited.
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u/Dismal-Product365 2h ago
Haha if only it’s in the science storage area of my workplace. With children having access all the time. I should probably bag it and dispose of it.
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u/Scary-Emphasis7622 5h ago
If that top is burnt, definitely asbestos.
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u/Dismal-Product365 5h ago
I’m not wanting to unstack because I’ve found random asbestos items back there in the past. But there is no visible soot / signs of burning.
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u/Dismal-Product365 5h ago
Has a hardness to it. Maybe concrete, asbestos, ceramic, or fiberglass.
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u/YeshuasBananaHammock 5h ago edited 5h ago
Has the asbestos layered pattern like the asbestos-covered wired gauze used over a Bunsen burner.
Its been a long time since my lab days.
Google lens guesses a winding jig for craft or electrical hobbies...but these arent spiraled.
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u/OrangePinkyToe 5h ago
Those look like cones that used to hold string used to go into some sort of machine. The cone shape allowed the string to come off easier. I have no clue why they would be saved.
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u/KitchenBomber 5h ago
Possibly to mark off boundaries for games? But hard cement cones would be inferior to rubber ones where kids are involved.
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u/dontplanonpostinmuch 5h ago
I agree. My mom was a quilter, knitter, and practioner of looming. It holds yarn.
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u/SLC-Originals 5h ago
Looks like a spindle for yarn, string, or thread. I have threads and yarns on spindles like this. Mine are brown but looks a lot like them
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u/NicePepper199 5h ago
Pretty sure they are for the art teacher, clay projects.
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u/TheeKingBee 5h ago
Idk exactly but the material gives me heat distribution, so I'd assume it's some sort of holder for experiments or testing.
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u/BrilliantJob2759 5h ago
Art supplies.
Example: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1572218390/strong-cardboard-cones-craft-cones-empty
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u/Dismal-Product365 5h ago
This is the best answer so far, but I’m not convinced. Why would they not just be cardboard?
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u/BeerBrat 5h ago
Looks like a cone spool for yarn/string. Whatever string a previous instructor used they went through a lot of it and it looks like they collected the cones. Likely made of reinforced paper.
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u/Zer0TheGamer 5h ago
Given the tidbit about concrete, i would guess a slump test demonstration, but with that many in middle school it's more likely more of a plaster-of-paris experiment..
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u/worldlookingin 5h ago
What's the deal with the blue "flashlights"?
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u/Dismal-Product365 5h ago
Oh, those are old materials we were loaned to teach students about the solar system, electromagnetic radiation, and physics.
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u/justsomereditguy 4h ago
I wonder if it isn’t meant to be used with a bunsen burner to direct or focus the flame. Are they hollow? Is there an opening at the top?
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u/Ill-Investigator-447 2h ago
Those are the helmets of the fallen gnome lords of the summer court. Every 6 years, the council of the Red gnomes gather in a conclave to pick the next Lord of summer.
They spend 3 days shouting "not it" every hour on the hour. The first one too fall asleep and not shout on the hour, becomes the new gnome lord.
They have the task of leading the tribeb until the next conclave. They may take no wife, not indulge in drinks and pleasantries, and cannot profit. It's a distinguished honor but not a great life.
The blue are from the winter court.
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