The wooden frame was a
shipping brace for part of a printing frame.
The folks in the office got used to be dragging odd bits of junk
down the hall to my cube.
What's it do?
When it's plugged in, a timer switch starts. Every 40 seconds
or so, an electronic flash
(from a disposable camera) flashes at the top and botton of the
frame. Makes a lot of noise.