Friday, March 31, 2006

Alan Rock's Trivia Questions, March 30, 2006

Q: On March 30, 1981, U.S. President Ronald Reagan was wounded by a would-be assisin in Washington. Do you know the name of the convicted gunman?
A: John W. Hinkley, Jr.

Q: On March 30, 1867, the United States made a huge land deal. What was it?
A: We purchased Alaska from Russia for two cents an acre. Russia promised a refund if the U.S. found any two snowflakes in Alaska that were alike. The total price was $7.2 million. Today, you couldn't get a good shortstop for that.

Q: On March 30, 1842, anesthetic was used during surgery for the first time. Before that, what did they use?
A: They used whiskey. The doctor kept drinking until the patient's screaming didn't bother him any more.

Q: On this day in 1858, Hymon Lipman of Philadelphia patented something everyone listening has used. What was it?
A: The first pencil equipped with an eraser. He made a fortune. In those days, not that many people could write, but almost everybody could erase. Today's intriguing question: Before pencils had erasers, what do you suppose kids chewed on?

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