While cleaning out my late uncle’s room, I expected old photos and papers.
Instead, I found a small bag filled with tiny sealed glass tubes. Inside each one were several small silver balls. They looked unusual — almost like frozen drops of metal trapped inside clear capsules.
At first, I had no clue what they were.
After some research, I discovered they’re most likely mercury tilt switches — small components used in older electronics. When the tube tilts, the metal inside moves and completes an electrical circuit. Simple, but clever.
They were once used in things like old thermostats, alarm systems, pinball machines, and vintage appliances — long before modern motion sensors existed.
It made me wonder…
Was he repairing something?
Building a project I never knew about?
Or were these just spare parts from years ago?
It’s strange how a handful of tiny objects can reveal a hidden side of someone’s life.
Now I can’t stop thinking about what he was planning to create.
➕
