Every part of our gear has a purpose. After all, manufacturers create things in the most efficient manner. They won't waste space and resources on something that will do nothing to improve their product.

So, if you see anything on your equipment that seems pointless, it's most probably crucial to making it work. Because, although they may look mundane and boring, we won't enjoy the gadgets and gizmos we have without them. So, before you take them for granted, take a peek at what these things do for you.

1. Ferrite Beads in Power Cables

These cylindrical-shaped objects on power cables are not weights to help keep them in place. In fact, these beads protect the device from radio electrical interference and prevent it from generating its own.

Whenever electricity passes through a conductor, it generates its own electromagnetic field. This field could then interfere with other electronics in the vicinity. Conversely, long thin conductive metals, like antennas and your computer cables, are susceptible to receiving electromagnetic interference as well.

image intereference on a television signal

This interference could come from any source—cellphone signals, TV broadcasts, and even microwave ovens. If you have an old speaker, you could also hear this interference. The weird sound it makes if you put a phone nearby that's transmitting or receiving a text message is an example of that interference.

To prevent this, most modern computer power cables have ferrite beads installed on them. You can also get ferrite beads separately to install on older equipment. This prevents external sources from interfering with your power and data.

These beads work as passive low-pass filters which stop high-frequency interference and dissipate it as low-level heat. However, don't go around attaching these things to every power cable. There's math and science behind these things, so you should first ask your friendly electrical engineer before slapping one on.

2. The IR Bulb in Remote Controls

IR bulb firing on a remote control

Remote controls aren't new inventions. The first recorded wireless control was in 1894 when a British Physicist, Oliver Lodge, used wireless telegraph technology to make a galvanometer move. However, it was in the late 1970s and early 1980s that TV makers introduced the remote control we know today.

These remote controls worked by sending a burst of infrared light to a television. This infrared light isn't just on or off—instead, it's a code of 1s and 0s that send different commands to the TV's onboard computer. Short breaks in the signal mean 1, while longer pauses mean 0.

These codes ensure that your device won't react to any infrared source. It will only recognize and respond to the correct code coming from your remote. Since infrared is invisible to the human eye, many will not notice how the IR bulb works.

Related: The Best TV Remote Apps for Android and iPhone

But, if you want to see it for yourself, all you need to do is to point your smartphone camera at your remote control and press record. The camera sensor should be able to see the infrared light flickering from the bulb.

However, not all remote controls have an IR bulb. The first TV remotes used ultrasonic technology to control televisions. And nowadays, some devices, especially Smart TVs, use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to communicate with the remote.

3. Keycamp Bumps and Keyboard Legs

bump on the key cap for letter J

If you look down on your keyboard, you'll notice that the letters F and J both have a flat bump on each. And, if you take a look at your keypad, you'll also find the same on the number 5. These aren't manufacturing defects or pointless designs—these are actually crucial for professional typists.

When you're first learning how to type, you tend to look down on the keyboard to see what buttons you're pressing. However, this isn't particularly efficient when you're typing. After all, you need to look at your screen to see that you're writing correctly. So, if you frequently look at your keyboard, you tend to type slowly.

Touch typists, on the other hand, have memorized all the key placements on the keyboard. They then use the bumps on F, J, and the number 5 to know where all the other keys are relative to their fingers. As soon as they place their hands on the keyboard, they can type without the need to look down.

Related: Cool Keyboard Productivity Tricks Few People Know

Keyboard legs, on the other hand, are designed for new typists. Since makers know new keyboard users look down frequently, they made this easy by tilting the keys towards the user. Some keyboard models even have two or three different legs, allowing you to customize the height where you feel comfortable typing.

4. Stripes on Your Headphone Jack

photo of a headphone jack on a black reflective table

If you're still using a non-USB-C or non-Lightning wired headset, you'll notice that the jack has at least one black or white stripe on it. This stripe, usually made from plastic or other non-conducting material, isn't just for design. Its purpose is to separate two or more electrical channels that carry sound signals.

Some cables, like those for mics or instruments, only have one line. This is a mono cable, with one channel carrying the sound data and the other canceling distortion and noise. If your jack has two lines, the extra line separates another sound channel for carrying stereo sound.

Lastly, if the jack has three rings, then it has a built-in mic. That third ring separates the line that carries voice data back to your device.

5. Holes in Earphones, Earbuds, and Headsets

holes on earbuds

Whether you have earphones, earbuds, or headsets, you'll notice all of them have multiple holes. Of course, you'd need one hole for music to come out and another one for the built-in mic. But what about all the other holes in and around it? What do those holes do?

Those holes have a mundane but crucial purpose—for relieving in-ear pressure. Earphones work by moving a small diaphragm to generate vibration and sound. These sound devices are then attached directly to the ear with a snug, airtight fit to maximize sound quality.

However, the earphone's vibrations that produce sound also produce air pressure. Since they're airtight, this pressure will eventually build up and cause discomfort and ear pain. But, with these holes, the excess air pressure in your ear can escape, letting you enjoy high-quality audio in comfort.

It's the Little Things That Make Life Better

While these things are small and might seem inconsequential in the greater scheme of things, you'll find that life can be harder and unpleasant without them. And, although we may never know the engineer or inventor who had the idea for these features, we should thank them for the convenience these deliver.

Remember, even if something seems pointless to you, it most probably has a significant function—you just haven't discovered it yet.