Found one of these a few weeks back and had the other for quite a while.   Two youngest kids liked them so much i had to buy them their own (a feeble attempt to keep them away from mine.)  Pen is for relative scale.

 

Edited August 7, 20188 yr by p_toad

I've had a similar thing for maybe 30 years.  It's about a foot long, flexible shaft, and I use it to retrieve parts otherwise inaccessible and non-magnetic.

I have a couple of variations like Keith described I've had for nearly 50 years. I always heard them called "mechanical fingers" in the automotive repair trade.

I've never seen any this size...being stainless, wonder if they were originally intended for the medical field?

A pocket size one would be very handy; no pun intended

Works great for picking up errant computer screws

that they are...

I've used them to retrieve many a dropped bolt or screw in a tight engine compartment.

 

Now I use them to pick things up off of the floor so I don't have to bend over!

32 minutes ago, schnewj said:

Now I use them to pick things up off of the floor so I don't have to bend over!

I've learned grandkids come in handy for that task...they see better too.

They make great screw starters for hart to reach places.

2 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

I've learned grandkids come in handy for that task...they see better too.

True, but they get mighty expensive, for the end return, sometimes!

I have one about 12" long with a flexible shaft. It's been really handy when working in tight spaces.