@ScienceScholar
The link has a few (bad) theories ("stress balls"? Seriously?), but my best guess is for the easy construction of shelter & furniture by traveling armies ("#BuckyBalls").
Instead of having to carry around bulky tents/etc, all they need is to carry around is a big bag of these joints. Just slide sticks or branches through them to build whatever you need w/o the need for rope, glue or nails.


