by Paula Johnson
Good Grief, Charlie Brown, another year gone to memories. Really, that is what trivia is – memories: some remembered and some forgotten. Maybe some of these memories are still in your personal database or just waiting to reemerge.
Questions:
1. What was the original name of Best Buy?
2. Which U.S. state has a small portion of it leased to the UK forever?
3. Which is the “king of spices?”
4. Before gas stations, how did auto drivers get their gas?
5. Which US president has received a patent?
6. How did we get the term “pipe dream?”
7. What was a deadly ingredient in bread during Victorian times?
8. Which U.S. Presidents, as Commanders-in-Chief, also were cadets graduating from one of our military academies?
9. What is the slang word for cigarettes in Canada?
10. Why should you peel, not just wash, the skin of a mango
Answers:
1. In 1966, Best Buy began as a store to purchase items to bring sound into your home. It was set-up with commissioned employees showing off what was available and the buyer purchasing something from out of the storeroom. It was called Sound of Music (just like the movie). In 1983, a tornado hit the suburbs of Minneapolis, shearing off the roof of Sound of Music and destroying the showroom of its contents. The employees rallied and the management changed its policies. Everything was put in the parking lot for sale “as is” and people were able to look, touch, and get the “Best Buy” in town. The next day, everything from the warehouse was brought out. In four days, Sound of Music had more sales than in a month. Commissioned sales were eliminated, customers could now touch items, the concept of big-box stores began, and Best Buy was born.
2. During WWII German U-boats sank over 400 ships off the coast of the Carolinas. The U.S. had no anti-sub patrol; the British Royal Navy sent 24 ships to protect our eastern seaboard. At the end of the war, two makeshift cemeteries in North Carolina were leased to the War Graves Commission in perpetuity making these cemeteries, in effect, British soil forever.
3. Because of its strong aroma, used in all major world cuisines, and used for medicinal purposes (piperine) as a natural antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, black pepper is considered King of Spices. But as in all things, don’t overdo.
4. The first autos were not gas powered. They were powered by steam, electricity (yes!) and some used kerosene. Oil companies primarily produced kerosene for lamp fuel. The first pumps installed at a grocery store in 1885 were to measure and dispense kerosene for lamps. Gasoline was a by-product of kerosene and often discarded. The first gasoline to power autos was bought by the can at a pharmacy, blacksmith, or grocery store. The first drive-up pump for automobile gas was in 1913 in downtown Pittsburgh.
5. Over 10 years prior to taking the oath of office, Abraham Lincoln became the first and only president to be issued a patent. As a teenager on riverboats, he noted the difficulty of navigating sandbars along the Mississippi River. He devised a way to use adjustable buoyant air chambers and hired a Springfield architect to create a scale model of his design.
6. A dictionary definition of pipe dream is “an illusionary or fantastic plan, hope, or story.” If you have never played an instrument but want to play for the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra – though possible, it is improbable and classifies as a pipe dream. In the late 1800s the phrase came from the dreamlike state some would be in following the smoking of an opium pipe – usually experiencing hallucinations or trances. Today, pipe dream is less likely implying opium use, but rather a far-fetched hope.
7. In Victorian England white bread was seen as having the fewest impurities. Of course, the whiter the better. Many items were used like chalk and plaster of paris, but a popular item was alum. At that time, alum was an aluminum derived chemical that was toxic. Alum not only made the bread whiter but also heavier – bakers could charge more. The toxic side effects were digestive issues and diarrhea. This was often fatal for children. Not until 1875 in a revision to a Food and Drug Act was this harmful food additive taken seriously. Today, alum is safe and often used in making pickles.
8. Likely, you remembered the two generals from WestPoint, Grant and Eisenhower, but did you also remember Jimmy Carter who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis? Eisenhower is also the only U.S. President to have served in both WWI and WWII.
9. Canada takes the slang word from the Australian term of 100 years ago. The Aussies called them “smoking darts” because of the similarity between the popular pub game piece and the wrapped tobacco cylinders.
10. Mangoes are a favorite of my sister, Chris, and her family as well as many other people around the world. However, the skin of mangoes contains the organic compound urushiol. This same compound is also produced by the leaves of poison ivy. Though not poisonous, it causes a highly allergic reaction in people. The skin of green mangoes is more toxic than ripe ones. Urushiol is also found in cashew nut shells. Now you know why you don’t find cashews in a shell.
Working with trivia is another way of learning history in a fun way. As we put 2024 to bed, and begin 2025, here is another point of trivia. Pretty much it is only the memories of us old folks who remember living under parents who experienced both The Great Depression and the rationing of WWII. 2025 will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII in both Europe and the Pacific and the 90th anniversary of the heart of The Great Depression. It’s been quite a ride!
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