Q: Actor Clint Eastwood was born on May 31, 1930. What was his first film?
A: "Revenge of the Creature," followed by "Francis Joins the Navy." Then Universal Studios fired Clint because his Adam's apple stuck out too far. That makes about as much sense as firing Superman because he had a run in his leotards.
Q: The first taxicabs arrived in New York City on this day in 1907 from where?
A: France, at a cost of $12,000 each. It would have been cheaper, but they were imported with the meters running. I don't take taxis anymore. Maybe you've noticed -- nowadays, the meter runs faster than the cab.
(New York City's gasoline-powered taxis began operating in 1907 when businessman Harry N. Allen imported 65 shiny, red taxicabs that were 16-horsepower, 4-cylinder Darracq cars of the landaulet type. Allen had the vehicles painted yellow after learning that yellow is the color most easily seen from a distance. Providing faster service and using mechanical meters to more accurately compute the fare, the new service quickly replaced horse-drawn hansom cabs.)
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions for Tuesday, May 30
Q: On this date in 1987, a young German named Mathias Rust (Roost) made headlines with a daring feat. What did he do?
A: He flew a small plane from Germany through Soviet air defenses and landed in Red Square.
Q: May 30, 1981 was a big day in the record industry. Why?
A: The first compact discs appeared in stores. The following day, hundreds of people showed up at hospital emergency rooms with injuries they suffered while trying to open CDs.
A: He flew a small plane from Germany through Soviet air defenses and landed in Red Square.
Q: May 30, 1981 was a big day in the record industry. Why?
A: The first compact discs appeared in stores. The following day, hundreds of people showed up at hospital emergency rooms with injuries they suffered while trying to open CDs.
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions for Monday, May 29th
Q: In Bob Hope's movie and television contracts, in addition to money, what did he arrange to receive free for life?
A: Bubble gum.
Q: The average American keeps old magazines for how long before tossing them?
A: Twenty-nine weeks.
Q: Who was the first U.S. president to be born in a hospital?
A: Jimmy Carter.
Q: What First Lady's maiden name was Elizabeth Anne Bloomer?
A: Betty Ford.
A: Bubble gum.
Q: The average American keeps old magazines for how long before tossing them?
A: Twenty-nine weeks.
Q: Who was the first U.S. president to be born in a hospital?
A: Jimmy Carter.
Q: What First Lady's maiden name was Elizabeth Anne Bloomer?
A: Betty Ford.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions
Q: Who was America's first woman in space?
A: Astronaut Sally Ride. She was born on this day in 1951. Sally and her astronaut husband Steve Hawley were America's first spaced-out couple.
Q: Actor James Arness got the role of Matt Dillon on TV's Gunsmoke after the part was turned down by what actor?
A: John Wayne turned down the part and recommended Arness.
Q: What do Wolfgang Mozart, Chico Marx, Mr. T, Bill Gates, and Bill Clinton have in common?
A: Photographic memories.
A: Astronaut Sally Ride. She was born on this day in 1951. Sally and her astronaut husband Steve Hawley were America's first spaced-out couple.
Q: Actor James Arness got the role of Matt Dillon on TV's Gunsmoke after the part was turned down by what actor?
A: John Wayne turned down the part and recommended Arness.
Q: What do Wolfgang Mozart, Chico Marx, Mr. T, Bill Gates, and Bill Clinton have in common?
A: Photographic memories.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions
Q: On this date in 1965, boxer Cassius Clay (as Muhammed Ali was then known) knocked out a heavyweight challenger in one minute and 56 seconds of the first round. Can you name the challenger?
A: Sonny Liston.
Q: On May 25, 1935, Babe Ruth hit his final home runs (numbers 713 and 714) at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. Pitcher Guy Bush served up both homers, but won the game 11-7. What team was the Babe playing for?
A: The Boston Braves.
Q: Igor Sikorsky, born May 25, 1889, invented what?
A: He invented the first successful helicopter. His next invention was not so successful: an ejection seat for helicopter pilots.
A: Sonny Liston.
Q: On May 25, 1935, Babe Ruth hit his final home runs (numbers 713 and 714) at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. Pitcher Guy Bush served up both homers, but won the game 11-7. What team was the Babe playing for?
A: The Boston Braves.
Q: Igor Sikorsky, born May 25, 1889, invented what?
A: He invented the first successful helicopter. His next invention was not so successful: an ejection seat for helicopter pilots.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions
Q: This date in 1941 was a happy day for the Zimmerman family of Minnesota. Why?
A: Their son Robert was born. He later changed his name to -- Bob Dylan.
Q: On this day in 1982, Mrs. Christina Samane of South Africa gave birth to the heaviest baby ever born -- a boy. How much did he weigh?
A: 22 pounds, 8 ounces. I'm not sure a bouncing baby boy that heavy would even bounce. According to Guinness, the child weighed 77 pounds at 16 months, and 112 pounds at age 5.
Q: If you're a baseball fan, something special happened on May 24, 1935. What?
A: The first major-league night baseball game was played in Cincinnati. At first, fans didn't care for night baseball. But, gradually they got used to having bugs in their beer.
A: Their son Robert was born. He later changed his name to -- Bob Dylan.
Q: On this day in 1982, Mrs. Christina Samane of South Africa gave birth to the heaviest baby ever born -- a boy. How much did he weigh?
A: 22 pounds, 8 ounces. I'm not sure a bouncing baby boy that heavy would even bounce. According to Guinness, the child weighed 77 pounds at 16 months, and 112 pounds at age 5.
Q: If you're a baseball fan, something special happened on May 24, 1935. What?
A: The first major-league night baseball game was played in Cincinnati. At first, fans didn't care for night baseball. But, gradually they got used to having bugs in their beer.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions
Q: What is the only bird that can fly backwards?
A: The hummingbird.
Q: Who invented bifocal eyeglasses on this day in 1785, making it possible for older people to keep their heads held high -- so they can see through the bottom half of their glasses?
A: Benjamin Franklin.
A: The hummingbird.
Q: Who invented bifocal eyeglasses on this day in 1785, making it possible for older people to keep their heads held high -- so they can see through the bottom half of their glasses?
A: Benjamin Franklin.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions
Q: "The Great Train Robbery" at Marshfield, Indiana occurred on May 22, 1868. What was the name of the gang that pulled it off, and how much did they get?
A: The infamous Reno Gang pulled it off, and escaped with $98,000 in cash. They made their getaway in the locomotive. They were lucky. Even in thos days, a locomotive was pretty easy to track.
Q: On May 22, 1891, Thomas Edison showed a film of a man bowing, smiling, and waving to 147 women in West Orange, New Jersey. What was the occasion?
A: The first poublic showing of a motion picture. It was what is called a "chick flick." Women loved it and all agreed they could hardly wait to read the book.
Q: To improve her memory, Eleanor Roosevelt ate something very unusual. What was it?
A: Three chocolate-covered garlic balls every day of her adult life.
Q: On May 22, 1972, the first U.S. president visited Moscow. Who was he?
A: President Richard Nixon. He met with Soviet President Brezhnev. The two leaders agreed to stop producing new threats, warnings, and insults; but existing threats, warnings, and insults could be stockpiled as a deterrent -- in case future use should be required.
A: The infamous Reno Gang pulled it off, and escaped with $98,000 in cash. They made their getaway in the locomotive. They were lucky. Even in thos days, a locomotive was pretty easy to track.
Q: On May 22, 1891, Thomas Edison showed a film of a man bowing, smiling, and waving to 147 women in West Orange, New Jersey. What was the occasion?
A: The first poublic showing of a motion picture. It was what is called a "chick flick." Women loved it and all agreed they could hardly wait to read the book.
Q: To improve her memory, Eleanor Roosevelt ate something very unusual. What was it?
A: Three chocolate-covered garlic balls every day of her adult life.
Q: On May 22, 1972, the first U.S. president visited Moscow. Who was he?
A: President Richard Nixon. He met with Soviet President Brezhnev. The two leaders agreed to stop producing new threats, warnings, and insults; but existing threats, warnings, and insults could be stockpiled as a deterrent -- in case future use should be required.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions
Q: On this date in 1964, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow was in the news. Why?
A: Forty hidden microphones were discovered inside the building.
Q: If your scorpion is normal, he not only will have eight legs, but also eight (a) stingers, (b) eyes, or (c) ears?
A: One eye for each leg.
Q: Was the original Cinderella (a) British, (b) Polish, or (c) Egyptian?
A: Egyptian. She wore fur slippers.
Q: On May 19, 1995, Balamurali Ambati was graduated from Mount Sinai Medical School to become the world's youngest doctor. How old was he?
A: Seventeen.
A: Forty hidden microphones were discovered inside the building.
Q: If your scorpion is normal, he not only will have eight legs, but also eight (a) stingers, (b) eyes, or (c) ears?
A: One eye for each leg.
Q: Was the original Cinderella (a) British, (b) Polish, or (c) Egyptian?
A: Egyptian. She wore fur slippers.
Q: On May 19, 1995, Balamurali Ambati was graduated from Mount Sinai Medical School to become the world's youngest doctor. How old was he?
A: Seventeen.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions
Q: How many muscles does a cat have in each ear?
A: 32
Q: If you are an average American (how does one know?), how much time will you spend during your life waiting at red lights?
A: Six months.
Q: In the last 4000 years, how many new animals have been domesticated?
A: None.
A: 32
Q: If you are an average American (how does one know?), how much time will you spend during your life waiting at red lights?
A: Six months.
Q: In the last 4000 years, how many new animals have been domesticated?
A: None.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions
Q: This actor was born on May 17, 1936. His many movies include Hoosiers, Blue Velvet, and Super Mario Brothers. He is...?
A: Dennis Hopper.
Q: On May 17, 1939, WXBS-TV in New York, using only one camera, became the first station to televise a sporting event. What was it?
A: A baseball game between Columbia and Princeton, with the camera set up near the third-base line. Bill Stern was the announcer. There were only 400 television sets in America.
Q: On May 17, 1975, the first record album to sell a million copies the day it was released was what?
A: Elton John's "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy."
A: Dennis Hopper.
Q: On May 17, 1939, WXBS-TV in New York, using only one camera, became the first station to televise a sporting event. What was it?
A: A baseball game between Columbia and Princeton, with the camera set up near the third-base line. Bill Stern was the announcer. There were only 400 television sets in America.
Q: On May 17, 1975, the first record album to sell a million copies the day it was released was what?
A: Elton John's "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy."
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions
Q: Jim Henson died on this date in 1990. What was he famous for?
A: His famous puppet creations; such as Kermit, Miss Piggy, Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird.
Q: What is 1/100th of a second called?
A: A jiffy.
Q: You just met Al Capone and he gave you his business card. What did it say he did?
A: Used furniture dealer.
A: His famous puppet creations; such as Kermit, Miss Piggy, Bert and Ernie, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird.
Q: What is 1/100th of a second called?
A: A jiffy.
Q: You just met Al Capone and he gave you his business card. What did it say he did?
A: Used furniture dealer.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions and Tidbits
Did you know?
When astronauts first shaved in space, their weightless whiskers floated up to the ceiling. A special razor was developed to draw the whiskers in like a vacuum cleaner.
Q: The inventor Donald Duncan died on this day in 1971. What did he invent?
A: The Yo-Yo. Today's kids don't seem to play much with Yo-Yo's. Probably because they can't figure out where to put the batteries.
Q: This date in 1940 was an important day for legs. Why?
A: Nylon hose first went on sale in stores across the USA.
When astronauts first shaved in space, their weightless whiskers floated up to the ceiling. A special razor was developed to draw the whiskers in like a vacuum cleaner.
Q: The inventor Donald Duncan died on this day in 1971. What did he invent?
A: The Yo-Yo. Today's kids don't seem to play much with Yo-Yo's. Probably because they can't figure out where to put the batteries.
Q: This date in 1940 was an important day for legs. Why?
A: Nylon hose first went on sale in stores across the USA.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions
Q: How many Best Actress Oscars did Katharine Hepburn win?
A: Four: "Morning Glory" in 1933, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" in 1967, "The Lion in Winter" in 1968, and "On Golden Pond" in 1981. She was nominated for Best Actress in eight other films. She also won an Emmy for Best Actress in the special TV drama "Love Among the Ruins" in 1975.
Q: According to research at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, how many U.S. adults admit they sometimes run red lights?
A: 56%. The percentage decreases with age.
Q: Henry Ford sued the Chicago Tribune on this day in 1919 to the tune of $1 million for calling him an anarchist. Ford won the suit. What was his award?
A: Six cents (true!), which he wisely ploughed right back into the company.
A: Four: "Morning Glory" in 1933, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" in 1967, "The Lion in Winter" in 1968, and "On Golden Pond" in 1981. She was nominated for Best Actress in eight other films. She also won an Emmy for Best Actress in the special TV drama "Love Among the Ruins" in 1975.
Q: According to research at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, how many U.S. adults admit they sometimes run red lights?
A: 56%. The percentage decreases with age.
Q: Henry Ford sued the Chicago Tribune on this day in 1919 to the tune of $1 million for calling him an anarchist. Ford won the suit. What was his award?
A: Six cents (true!), which he wisely ploughed right back into the company.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions
Q: The automobile was invented and first became a reality in what country?
A: France. The United States only created the "assembly line" method of producing cars.
Q: Can you give an example of a "palindrome"?
A: The words "racecar," "kayak," and "level" are the same whether they are read left to right or right to left.
Q: There are only four words in the English language which end in "dous." Can you name them?
A: Tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous. (You're not doubting this, are you?)
A: France. The United States only created the "assembly line" method of producing cars.
Q: Can you give an example of a "palindrome"?
A: The words "racecar," "kayak," and "level" are the same whether they are read left to right or right to left.
Q: There are only four words in the English language which end in "dous." Can you name them?
A: Tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous. (You're not doubting this, are you?)
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions
Q: Per capita, the U.S. spends the second greatest amount of money on breakfast cereals each year. Which country is first?
A: Britain.
Q: A box of chocolates was first sold in 1861. How was it packaged?
A: In a heart-shaped box.
Q: America's first Mother's Day observance was held on this date in which year?
A: 1908.
A: Britain.
Q: A box of chocolates was first sold in 1861. How was it packaged?
A: In a heart-shaped box.
Q: America's first Mother's Day observance was held on this date in which year?
A: 1908.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions for May 9th
Q: A real newsman turns 88 today; a fake newswoman turns 60 today. Can you name them both?
A: Mike Wallace (of "60 Minutes") is 88; Candice Bergman ("Murphy Brown") is 60.
Q: Mike Wallace once appeared in a TV commercial as a circus barker with a straw hat and cane. What was the product?
A: Peter Pan peanut butter.
Q: In 28 Blondie movies in the 1930s, '40s and '50s, who was hubby Dagwood Bumstead played by?
A: Arthur Lake. Will Hutchins played Dagwood in a brief TV series in 1968. Lake died a very wealthy man in 1987 at age 82.
A: Mike Wallace (of "60 Minutes") is 88; Candice Bergman ("Murphy Brown") is 60.
Q: Mike Wallace once appeared in a TV commercial as a circus barker with a straw hat and cane. What was the product?
A: Peter Pan peanut butter.
Q: In 28 Blondie movies in the 1930s, '40s and '50s, who was hubby Dagwood Bumstead played by?
A: Arthur Lake. Will Hutchins played Dagwood in a brief TV series in 1968. Lake died a very wealthy man in 1987 at age 82.
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions for May 8th
Q: Who said, "Too bad the only people who know how to run the country are busy driving cabs and cutting hair"?
A: George Burns.
Q: There is a state in the United States where it's against the law to gargle in public. Can you name it?
A: Louisiana.
Q: How many words are used by Dr. Suess in "Green Eggs and Ham"?
A: Fifty. His friend, editor Bennett Cerf, bet him $50 that he couldn't write a book using only 50 words. The result was "Green Eggs and Ham," published in 1960.
A: George Burns.
Q: There is a state in the United States where it's against the law to gargle in public. Can you name it?
A: Louisiana.
Q: How many words are used by Dr. Suess in "Green Eggs and Ham"?
A: Fifty. His friend, editor Bennett Cerf, bet him $50 that he couldn't write a book using only 50 words. The result was "Green Eggs and Ham," published in 1960.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions for May 5th
Q: The first major league baseball's perfect game was pitched on May 5, 1904. Who was the pitcher?
A: Cy Young, leading the Boston Americans to a 3-0 win over Philadelphia. Back then, a perfect game was when no opposing runner reached first base. Today it's when nobody spits on camera. I played little league baseball -- for me, a perfect game was not falling off the bench.
A: Cy Young, leading the Boston Americans to a 3-0 win over Philadelphia. Back then, a perfect game was when no opposing runner reached first base. Today it's when nobody spits on camera. I played little league baseball -- for me, a perfect game was not falling off the bench.
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions for May 4th
Q: This date in 1968 was a BIG day in the history of fast food. Why?
A: McDonald's introduced the Big Mac.
Q: The "father of public education in America" was born on this date in 1796. What was his name?
A: Horace Mann. At one time, he was the most influential person in public schools; but that title now belongs to the inventor of the odor-free gym locker.
Q: Moe Howard, the last of the original Three Stooges, died of cancer on May 4, 1975 at the age of 78. Moe, with his brothers Curly and Shemp, created the Three Stooges as a vaudeville act. How many short movies did they make?
A: 190.
A: McDonald's introduced the Big Mac.
Q: The "father of public education in America" was born on this date in 1796. What was his name?
A: Horace Mann. At one time, he was the most influential person in public schools; but that title now belongs to the inventor of the odor-free gym locker.
Q: Moe Howard, the last of the original Three Stooges, died of cancer on May 4, 1975 at the age of 78. Moe, with his brothers Curly and Shemp, created the Three Stooges as a vaudeville act. How many short movies did they make?
A: 190.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions
Q: What is the longest word typed with only the left hand?
A: Stewardesses
Q: What is the only state whose name is just one syllable?
A: Maine. (I'll bet you're going to check this out.)
Q: What is the only English word that ends in the letters "mt"?
A: Dreamt.
Q: In the U.S. on May 3, 1957, the cost of first-class postage for a letter increased from what to what?
A: From three cents to four cents.
Q: On May 3, 1991, the final episode of Dallas aired on CBS (#356). Lasting 13 seasons in prime-time, it was second in longevity only to what show?
A: Gunsmoke.
A: Stewardesses
Q: What is the only state whose name is just one syllable?
A: Maine. (I'll bet you're going to check this out.)
Q: What is the only English word that ends in the letters "mt"?
A: Dreamt.
Q: In the U.S. on May 3, 1957, the cost of first-class postage for a letter increased from what to what?
A: From three cents to four cents.
Q: On May 3, 1991, the final episode of Dallas aired on CBS (#356). Lasting 13 seasons in prime-time, it was second in longevity only to what show?
A: Gunsmoke.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions
Q: On this date 121 years ago, the first edition of a magazine that still exists was published. Can you name it?
A: Good Housekeeping.
Q: According to research at the University of California at Davis, what may be as good for your heart as red wine without the bad alcohol side-effects?
A: Apple juice, because of its antioxidants. Unsweetened, 100% apple juice is best.
Q: According to research at Georgia State University, are you likely to eat less when (a) dining alone, (b) dining with one other person, or (c) dining with two other people?
A: Dining alone. In fact, the larger the group, the more you're likely to eat.
A: Good Housekeeping.
Q: According to research at the University of California at Davis, what may be as good for your heart as red wine without the bad alcohol side-effects?
A: Apple juice, because of its antioxidants. Unsweetened, 100% apple juice is best.
Q: According to research at Georgia State University, are you likely to eat less when (a) dining alone, (b) dining with one other person, or (c) dining with two other people?
A: Dining alone. In fact, the larger the group, the more you're likely to eat.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Alan Rock's Trivia Questions
Q: Some people say that this film -- which opened on May 1, 1941 -- is the best movie ever made. Can you name the title and star?
A: Citizen Kane, starring Orson Welles.
Q: According to the Recording Industry Association of America, what percentage of major U.S. recording companies today use the parental warning stickers advocated 20 years ago by Tipper Gore?
A: 100 percent.
Q: On the Batman television show of the 1960s, who played the villain Egghead?
A: Vincent Price. Also, Burgess Meredith was The Penguin, and Victor Buono was King Tut.
Q: On May 1, 1884, construction began on America's first skyscraper. In what city?
A: It was a ten-story building in Chicago. Hey, the sky was there -- it needed scraping!
Q: On May 1, 1931, the Empire State Building was completed. How long did the original elevators take to ride to the top?
A: Three minutes. Gee, King Kong climbed to the top faster than that!
A: Citizen Kane, starring Orson Welles.
Q: According to the Recording Industry Association of America, what percentage of major U.S. recording companies today use the parental warning stickers advocated 20 years ago by Tipper Gore?
A: 100 percent.
Q: On the Batman television show of the 1960s, who played the villain Egghead?
A: Vincent Price. Also, Burgess Meredith was The Penguin, and Victor Buono was King Tut.
Q: On May 1, 1884, construction began on America's first skyscraper. In what city?
A: It was a ten-story building in Chicago. Hey, the sky was there -- it needed scraping!
Q: On May 1, 1931, the Empire State Building was completed. How long did the original elevators take to ride to the top?
A: Three minutes. Gee, King Kong climbed to the top faster than that!
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