There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge. (Bertrand Russell)
Author: Quizologist
As a retired trivia writer, editor and quiz compiler, I wholeheartedly agree with Bertrand Russell’s quote: “There’s much pleasure to be gained in useless knowledge.” Trivia of all sorts has always fascinated me, and for many years, I’ve written and compiled trivia for various media, including traditional TV and radio quiz shows, newspapers and magazines, apps, and other digital platforms.
Today’s questions are simply either Who, What, When, Where or Why.
An Apollo launch from Kennedy Space Center. Image Wikipedia
One
Who was the only astronaut on the Apollo program to be the only person to fly to the Moon twice without landing?
Two
What uninvited stony visitor injured Elizabeth Hodges while she napped on her couch in Alabama in 1954?
Three
When was the Mongol Empire founded by Genghis Khan, was it (i) 11th Century; (ii) 12th Century; (iii) 13th Century
Four
Where on the planet is the farthest point from the Earth’s centre. Is it the summit of (i) Chimborazo, Ecuador; (ii) Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland or (iii) Mount Erebus, Ross Island, Antarctica?
Five
Why was 1936 a year of three kings in the United Kingdom, and who were they?
Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.
Today the first question is related to December 1st. The remaining questions are not date related but follow a theme.
1919 Ford Model T Phoenix Police cruiser. Image Wikipedia
One
On 1 December 1913, the world’s first moving assembly line began operating at a factory in Highland Park, Michigan—an innovation that transformed industrial production. This breakthrough was introduced to manufacture which automobile?
Answer: Model T
The Ford Model T, produced from 1908 to 1927, was a practical and affordable car that became a symbol of American culture. Its assembly-line production made it accessible to the masses, with over 15 million units sold. Despite its popularity, the Model T was eventually surpassed by more powerful and luxurious cars. It was the first mass-affordable automobile, making car travel accessible to middle-class Americans, and its low price, achieved through efficient fabrication and assembly line production, made it a symbol of innovation and modernisation.
Two
John Boyd Dunlop’s 1888 invention was initially designed to improve his son’s comfort while riding. This invention ultimately became a major breakthrough in transportation. What was it?
Answer: The pneumatic (air-filled) tyre (tire)
Dunlop’s pneumatic tyre dramatically improved ride comfort and speed for bicycles and, later, automobiles. Its adoption helped fuel the cycling boom of the 1890s and became essential for the development of modern motor vehicles, transforming personal and commercial transport.
Three
Alexander Graham Bell was granted several US patents for something that revolutionised global communication. What nine-letter word describes what the patents were for, and in what decade were these patents granted?
Answer: Telephone; 1870s (1875, 1876 and 1877)
Bell’s telephone transformed how people connected across distances, rapidly replacing the telegraph. Early telephones required operators to manually connect callers, and long-distance calls were expensive luxuries. Within decades, however, the telephone became an essential household and business tool, shaping the modern communications network.
Wright Flyer. First airplane flight, taking off from rail, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903. Image Wikipedia
Four
Which early 20th-century aircraft, flown by the Wright brothers, achieved the first controlled, sustained powered flight in 1903?
Answer: The Wright Flyer
The Wright Flyer’s 12-second flight near Kitty Hawk marked the dawn of modern aviation. Built of spruce wood and muslin fabric, and powered by a custom lightweight engine, the Flyer demonstrated principles still used in aircraft design today, paving the way for commercial and military aviation.
Artist rendering of Voyager 1. Image NASA via Wikipedia
Five
Which spacecraft, launched by NASA in 1977, became the first human-made object to enter interstellar space?
Answer: Voyager 1
At some 15,809,070,600* miles from Earth, Voyager 1 continues to transmit data from beyond the solar system, powered by a long-lasting radioisotope generator. It carries the Golden Record—a phonograph disc containing sounds and images meant to represent Earth’s diversity—intended for any extraterrestrial civilisation that might encounter it on its billion-year journey.
Today the first question is related to December 1st. The remaining questions are not date related but follow a theme.
One
On 1 December 1913, the world’s first moving assembly line began operating at a factory in Highland Park, Michigan—an innovation that transformed industrial production. This breakthrough was introduced to manufacture which automobile?
Two
John Boyd Dunlop’s 1888 invention was initially designed to improve his son’s comfort while riding. This invention ultimately became a major breakthrough in transportation. What was it?
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Three
Alexander Graham Bell was granted several US patents for something that revolutionised global communication. What nine-letter word describes what the patents were for, and in what decade were these patents granted?
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Four
Which early 20th-century aircraft, flown by the Wright brothers, achieved the first controlled, sustained powered flight in 1903?
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Five
Which spacecraft, launched by NASA in 1977, became the first human-made object to enter interstellar space?
Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.
Unscramble the capitalised ANAGRAM to find the answer in each of the following questions phrases and clues.
See question four. Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris). Image Wikipedia
Example
Washington DC is the capital of the ESTATE NUDIST
Answer: United States
One
A quote from the BBC in which the first ANAGRAM is a band name, the second and third are a singer’s name.
When the ITCHY SERUM scored their first global hit in the early 1980s all eyes were on ONLINE ANNEX, the singer whose powerful androgynous look defied the male gaze.
and
The video accompanying the single, in which ONLINE ANNEX appeared with closely cropped orange hair and wearing a man’s business suit, was both striking and surreal. …extraordinary image was at odds with her female contemporaries.
What is the band (One word) and who is the singer? (First name and surname)
Answer: Eurythmics; Annie Lennox
In 1983, the Eurythmics achieved global chart success, topping the US charts with their hit Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This). Scottish singer-songwriter Annie Lennox achieved international success with Dave Stewart in the Eurythmics in the 1980s. She embarked on a successful solo career in 1992, releasing six studio albums and winning numerous awards, including eight Brit Awards and four Grammy Awards. Lennox is also a prominent political and social activist, raising awareness for HIV/AIDS and women’s empowerment.
Two
This Oxford English Dictionary definition for pewter has what element mixed up: ‘a grey alloy of tin with copper and MY NATION.’ (One word)
Answer: Antimony
Antimony (Sb), a lustrous grey metal or metalloid, is primarily sourced from stibnite (Sb2S3). It is used in alloys, flame retardants, semiconductors, and historically in medicine and cosmetics. Historically, pewter was an alloy of tin with up to 40% lead.
Argentinian tennis player Guillermo Vilas at the 1974 Dutch Open tournament. Image WikipediaCC BY-SA 3.0 nl File:Guillermo Vilas.jpg Created: 14 July 1974
Three
In 1977, this Argentinian tennis player set a record of a 53-match winning streak on clay courts, which stood until it was surpassed by Rafael Nadal in 2006. He will be found in VILLAGE RUM SILO. (First name and surname)
Answer: Guillermo Vilas
Guillermo Vilas is an Argentine former professional tennis player. Argentine Guillermo Vilas, a former professional tennis player, was ranked world No. 1 in the Grand Prix seasons of 1974, 1975 and 1977. He won 62 singles titles, including four majors, and is renowned for his dominance on clay courts, holding the record for most clay court match wins. Despite studies suggesting he should have been ranked No. 1 for seven weeks, the ATP has not officially recognised this.
Four
A species of thrush (see picture at the top of this post): DEAF RIFLE
Answer: Fieldfare
The fieldfare is a migratory thrush found in northern Europe and the Palearctic. It breeds in woodland and scrub, and winters in the UK, Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
A sign on the Eyre Highway indicating that an RFDS emergency airstrip is ahead. There are three such strips on the highway. Image Wikipedia
Five
This sign for a Flying Doctor Service emergency airstrip is on what Australian road which crosses the Nullarbor Plain: GEE HAIRY WHY (two words)
Answer: Eyre Highway
Eyre Highway, a 1,664-kilometre highway, links Western Australia and South Australia via the Nullarbor Plain. Constructed during World War II, it was initially named Forrest Highway before being officially named after explorer Edward John Eyre.
Unscramble the capitalised ANAGRAM to find the answer in each of the following questions phrases and clues.
See question four. Image Wikipedia (Attribution link in answer post)
Example
Washington DC is the capital of the ESTATE NUDIST
United States
One
A quote from the BBC in which the first ANAGRAM is a band name, the second and third are a singer’s name.
When the ITCHY SERUM scored their first global hit in the early 1980s all eyes were on ONLINE ANNEX, the singer whose powerful androgynous look defied the male gaze.
and
The video accompanying the single, in which ONLINE ANNEX appeared with closely cropped orange hair and wearing a man’s business suit, was both striking and surreal. …extraordinary image was at odds with her female contemporaries.
What is the band (One word) and who is the singer? (First name and surname)
Two
This Oxford English Dictionary definition for pewter has what element mixed up: ‘a grey alloy of tin with copper and MY NATION.’ (One word)
Argentinian tennis player VILLAGE RUM SILO at the 1974 Dutch Open tournament. Image Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0 nl (Attribution links in answer post)
Three
In 1977, this Argentinian tennis player set a record of a 53-match winning streak on clay courts, which stood until it was surpassed by Rafael Nadal in 2006. He will be found in VILLAGE RUM SILO. (First name and surname)
Four
A species of thrush (see picture at the top of this post): DEAF RIFLE
A sign on the GEE HAIRY WHY indicating that an RFDS emergency airstrip is ahead. There are three such strips on the highway. Image Wikipedia (Attribution link in answer post)
Five
This sign for a Flying Doctor Service emergency airstrip is on what Australian road which crosses the Nullarbor Plain: GEE HAIRY WHY (two words)
The first two questions focus on authors born on November 29th, while the remaining three questions maintain a literary theme but avoid that date.
One
Born in Belfast, Ireland (now Northern Ireland) in 1898, an author wrote a classic children’s literature series of seven fantasy novels published between 1950 and 1956. These novels are often referred to as a collective. Here are seven clues to the individual books in the series; each clue points to a single word in the relative title. They are listed in publication order (1 to 7):
Cat
A landlocked sea
Ship
A piece of furniture
Equus
A relative
An engagement
What is the collective name of the series, and who is the author?
Answer: The Chronicles of Narnia; CS Lewis
For your information the seven clues and the individual books are as follows. NB. The word the clue referred to is in bold in each title.
Cat — The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
A landlocked sea — Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia
Ship — The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
A piece of furniture — The Silver Chair
Equus — The Horse and His Boy
A relative — The Magician’s Nephew
An engagement — The Last Battle
The author was close friends with JRR Tolkien, and the two belonged to an informal Oxford literary group known as the Inklings, where they often read drafts of their work aloud for critique.
An American author born in Germantown, Pennsylvania on this day in 1832, moved to Boston, Massachusetts in her infancy. She’s best known for her children’s book first published in 1868. Though its two-word title is widely recognised, it was originally published with the subtitle ‘Or Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy’. Who is this author and what is the title of her book?
Answer: Louisa May Alcott; Little Women
Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) was an American novelist, best known for Little Women and its sequels. Raised in New England, she was influenced by transcendentalist intellectuals and began writing at a young age. Alcott was an abolitionist, feminist, and active in reform movements, and her life and work have been widely celebrated. Little Women, a coming-of-age novel, follows the March sisters’ journey from childhood to womanhood. It is considered autobiographical or at least partially autobiographical.
Three
Which American author and adventurer wrote The Call of the Wild (1903) and White Fang (1906), novels inspired by his experiences in the Klondike Gold Rush?
Answer: Jack London
Jack London (1876–1916) was one of the first American authors to become a worldwide celebrity. A pioneer of commercial magazine fiction, he was also a political activist and an early advocate of animal welfare. His rugged adventure stories drew heavily on his own harsh experiences working as an oyster pirate, sailor, and prospector. The Call of the Wild was an immediate success and remains one of the most widely read American novels.
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Four
What British crime novelist created detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, and is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Mystery’?
Answer: Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie (1890–1976) is the best-selling novelist of all time, with her works having sold billions of copies worldwide. Her play The Mousetrap holds the record as the longest-running play in history. Christie also wrote several novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. Her intricate plots and surprise twists have made her a foundational figure in detective fiction, influencing countless writers.
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Five
A poet born in Saint Louis, Missouri, wrote the iconic poem Because I could not stop for Death and is now regarded as one of the most important figures in American literature. Who is she?
Answer: Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson (1830–1886) wrote nearly 1,800 poems, though fewer than a dozen were published during her lifetime—and those often heavily edited. Known for her distinctive dashes, unconventional capitalization, and compressed style, Dickinson lived much of her life in reclusion. After her death, her sister Lavinia discovered her vast collection of handwritten poems, leading to the posthumous publications that secured her literary legacy.
The first two questions focus on authors born on November 29th, while the remaining three questions maintain a literary theme but avoid that date.
One
Born in Belfast, Ireland (now Northern Ireland) in 1898, an author wrote a classic children’s literature series of seven fantasy novels published between 1950 and 1956. These novels are often referred to as a collective. Here are seven clues to the individual books in the series; each clue points to a single word in the relative title. They are listed in publication order (1 to 7):
Cat
A landlocked sea
Ship
A piece of furniture
Equus
A relative
An engagement
What is the collective name of the series, and who is the author?
Two
An American author born in Germantown, Pennsylvania on this day in 1832, moved to Boston, Massachusetts in her infancy. She’s best known for her children’s book first published in 1868. Though its two-word title is widely recognised, it was originally published with the subtitle ‘Or Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy’. Who is this author and what is the title of her book?
Three
Which American author and adventurer wrote The Call of the Wild (1903) and White Fang (1906), novels inspired by his experiences in the Klondike Gold Rush?
⸻
Four
What British crime novelist created detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, and is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Mystery’?
⸻
Five
A poet born in Saint Louis, Missouri, wrote the iconic poem Because I could not stop for Death and is now regarded as one of the most important figures in American literature. Who is she?
Mary Read and Anne Bonny were put on trial in Jamaica in 1720. For what were they tried, convicted, and sentenced to death?
Answer: Piracy
In 1720, Read and her crew commandeered a sloop, leading the Bahamas governor to declare them enemies of the Crown. Captured, they faced trial in Jamaica, where they were found guilty and sentenced to death. All the male crew members were executed by hanging, but Read and Bonny claimed pregnancy—pleading the belly, which granted them a stay of execution. Read eventually died in prison, likely from a fever, and Bonny was eventually freed.
Two
Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first in a series of movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, had its world premiere in what country?
Answer: New Zealand
The film premiered in Wellington, New Zealand—the capital of Middle-earth—on 28 November 2012. An Unexpected Journey, set in Middle-earth sixty years before The Lord of the Rings, follows Bilbo Baggins on a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain. The film, released in 2012, received mixed reviews but grossed $1.017 billion and was nominated for three Academy Awards.
The Vlorë proclamation, issued on this day in 1912, declared independence for ____. Which country is missing from this statement?
Answer: Albania
Independent Albania was declared a parliamentary state in Vlorë on 28 November 1912 during the First Balkan War. Despite seeking international recognition based on ethnic rights, the London Conference of 1913 partitioned much of the claimed Albanian lands, leaving only a central region as an independent territory under Great Power protection. This led to the establishment of the Principality of Albania as a constitutional monarchy in August 1913.
Four
In 1582, Anne Hathaway, who was pregnant at the time, married whom in the Diocese of Worcester, England?
Answer: William Shakespeare
Aged 18, William Shakespeare married 26-year-old Anne Hathaway and had three children: Susanna—six months after their marriage—and twins Hamnet and Judith. After the twins’ birth, he disappeared from historical records until 1592, leading to speculation about his ‘lost years’, including deer poaching, horse minding, and school teaching.
Five
In World War II, the first conference of the ‘Big Three’—Winston Churchill (United Kingdom), Franklin Delano Roosevelt (United States), and Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union)—began on this day in 1943. Which of these was the location: Tehran, Iran; or Yalta, Crimea, Soviet Union?
Answer: Tehran, Iran
The Tehran Conference, held from 28 November to 1 December 1943, was the first meeting of the ‘Big Three’ Allied leaders during World War II. The main outcome was a commitment to open a second front against Nazi Germany by 1 June 1944. The conference also addressed relations with Turkey and Iran, operations in Yugoslavia and against Japan, and the envisioned post-war settlement.
These questions all relate to today’s date, November 28th.
One
Mary Read and Anne Bonny were put on trial in Jamaica in 1720. For what were they tried, convicted, and sentenced to death?
Two
Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first in a series of movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, had its world premiere in what country?
Flag of ____ Image Wikipedia
Three
The Vlorë proclamation, issued on this day in 1912, declared independence for ____. Which country is missing from this statement?
Four
In 1582, Anne Hathaway, who was pregnant at the time, married whom in the Diocese of Worcester, England?
Five
In World War II, the first conference of the ‘Big Three’—Winston Churchill (United Kingdom), Franklin Delano Roosevelt (United States), and Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union)—began on this day in 1943. Which of these was the location: Tehran, Iran; or Yalta, Crimea, Soviet Union?
Here are the answers to the questions in my earlier post.
Today’s questions are all connected to the date, November 27th.
The obverse side of the Nobel Prize medals for physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, and literature. Image Encyclopædia Britannica
One
On this day, the Nobel Prizes were established by a provision in Alfred Nobel’s will. In which capital city was Nobel born in October 1833? What eight-letter word is the name of a Nobel invention from 1867?
Answer: Stockholm, Sweden; Dynamite
Alfred Nobel, inventor of powerful explosives, established the Nobel Prizes, possibly to avoid a negative posthumous reputation. His interests in physics, chemistry, physiology and literature, along with his friendship with pacifist Bertha von Suttner, influenced the prize categories.
Two
An author known for writing 14 novels featuring the fictional detective Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard died today in 2014. Who was this author?
Answer: PD James
PD James, a British mystery novelist, is best known for her fictional detective Adam Dalgliesh. She wrote 14 Dalgliesh novels, as well as other works including An Unsuitable Job for a Woman and The Children of Men. James was made OBE in 1983 and was named a life peer in 1991.
Three
The king of the Franks from 481 until his death in 511 was the ruler of much of Gaul. Was this Clovis I, Louis I, or Pippin I?
Answer: Clovis I
Clovis I, king of the Franks from 481 to 511, consolidated power in Gaul and expanded his influence through military conquests. His conversion to Catholicism, a pivotal moment in Frankish history, is shrouded in legend and debate, with some suggesting he leaned towards Arianism before his baptism. Clovis’s legacy endures as the founder of France and a significant figure in the spread of Christianity in Europe.
Rock guitarist and singer Jimi Hendrix in his last concert performance, the Open Air Love & Peace Festival on Fehmarn island, Germany, September 6, 1970. Image Encyclopædia Britannica
Four
Jimi Hendrix was born on this date. Which two cities were his birthplace and his place of death? How old was he when he died?
Answer: Seattle, Washington, US; London, UK; 27 years old
Jimi Hendrix, an American rock guitarist, singer and composer, redefined the electric guitar by fusing American blues, jazz, rock and soul with British avant-garde rock. Despite a brief career, Hendrix’s innovative techniques, charismatic performances and genre-defying music made him a highly influential figure in popular music. His impact continues to inspire musicians, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
Five
The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade was held in New York City. In what decade did this occur?
Answer: 1920s
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924 as a Christmas parade to promote holiday shopping. It features giant balloons, floats, marching bands and performers, with Santa Claus marking the parade’s end. The parade has been televised since 1947, becoming a beloved Thanksgiving morning ritual for millions.
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