Quizology.Online

“There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge.”

— Bertrand Russell

Category: Pursuit of the Trivial

  • Who, What, When, Where, Why and How IX — Answers

    Canada–US Border: Boundary markers and a 25 foot (7.6 m) swath cut into the forest marking the Alberta–Montana border.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s Answers

    Six questions today, each starting with one of these words: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.

    One

    Who led the expedition which became the first undisputed to walk to the North Pole, and in what decade was this achieved?

    Answers: Wally Herbert; 1960s.

    In 1969, Wally Herbert led the British Trans-Arctic Expedition, completing a 3,800-mile (6,115 km) overland crossing of the Arctic Ocean from Alaska to Spitsbergen. Accompanied by Allan Gill, Roy Koerner and Kenneth Hedges, he reached the North Pole on 6 April after spending the winter drifting with the ice. His achievement coincided with the 60th anniversary of Robert Peary’s disputed expedition, and Herbert became the first man widely recognised as having reached the pole on foot. Sir Ranulph Fiennes later described him as “the greatest polar explorer of our time.”

    Two

    What Baltic capital, once labelled the ‘Jerusalem of the North’ by Napoleon, launched a campaign calling itself the ‘G-spot of Europe’, and which country does it serve as the capital of?

    Answers: Vilnius, Lithuania.

    The Vilnius tourist commission has launched a new campaign branding the city as ‘the G-spot of Europe’ to attract young British tourists, using the tagline “Nobody knows where it is, but when you find it – it’s amazing.” The campaign, which has gained international attention, plays on the idea that while few people know where Vilnius is, visitors quickly fall in love with it once they arrive.

    Three

    When did Nils Bohlin’s three-point seat belt first appear (year) as standard equipment in production cars, and which Swedish manufacturer employed him to develop and build them?

    Answers: 1959; Volvo.

    The three-point seat belt was invented by Nils Bohlin a mechanical engineer. Bohlin drew on his experience designing ejection seats for SAAB and spent roughly a year developing the seat belt. The seat belt was first fitted to the Volvo PV544 in 1959. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the seat belt saves approximately 15,000 lives annually in the US. Additionally a study of 28,000 accidents in Sweden, which showed that no belted occupants were fatally injured at speeds below 60 mph or as long as the passenger compartment remained intact.

    Four

    Where does ‘Mr. Smith’ go in the title of an early James Stewart movie?

    Answers: Washington

    Mr. Smith Goes to Washington was initially controversial in the U.S. for its portrayal of Washington politics but became a major box office success and made James Stewart a star. The film received eleven Academy Award nominations, winning Best Original Story, and was among the first 25 films selected for the U.S. National Film Registry in 1989 for its cultural and historical significance.

    Five

    Why was the Australian city of Darwin rebuilt twice in the 20th century (two answers one for each rebuilding)?

    Answers: Air raids; Cyclone

    On February 19, 1942, Japanese warplanes attacked Darwin, Australia, in two waves, using the same fleet that bombed Pearl Harbor. The attack caused extensive damage and killed at least 243 people, making it the most serious wartime attack on Australia. On December 25, 1974, Cyclone Tracy struck Darwin, killing 71 people and destroying over 70% of the city’s buildings. This led to the evacuation of 30,000 residents in Australia’s largest airlift. The city was rebuilt in the late 1970s using newer materials, and the satellite city of Palmerston was established nearby in the early 1980s.

    Six

    How many Canadian Provinces share an international border with the U.S.A., and how many U.S. states have such a border with Canada?

    Answers: Eight; Thirteen.

    The length of the terrestrial boundary is 8,891 km (5,525 mi), of which 6,416 km (3,987 mi) is between Canada and the contiguous 48 US states, and 2,475 km (1,538 mi) is between Canada and Alaska. Eight out of thirteen provinces and territories of Canada and thirteen out of fifty U.S. states share this international boundary.

    — Wikipedia

  • Who, What, When, Where, Why and How IX

    Canada–US Border: Boundary markers and a 25 foot (7.6 m) swath cut into the forest marking the border.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Six questions today, each starting with one of these words: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.

    One

    Who led the expedition which became the first undisputed to walk to the North Pole, and in what decade was this achieved?

    Two

    What Baltic capital, once labelled the ‘Jerusalem of the North’ by Napoleon, launched a campaign calling itself the ‘G-spot of Europe’, and which country does it serve as the capital of?

    Three

    When did Nils Bohlin’s three-point seat belt first appear (year) as standard equipment in production cars, and which Swedish manufacturer employed him to develop and build them?

    Four

    Where does ‘Mr. Smith’ go in the title of an early James Stewart movie?

    Five

    Why was the Australian city of Darwin rebuilt twice in the 20th century (two answers one for each rebuilding)?

    Six

    How many Canadian Provinces share an international border with the U.S.A., and how many U.S. states have such a border with Canada?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Final Few What ‘*’ — Answers

    See question two. Vin Fiz Flyer, a Wright Model EX takes off from Sheepshead Bay, NY.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s Answers

    Today there are six questions to get us to the end of the alphabet.

    One

    Now. . . those three curses – Avada Kedavra, Imperius, and Cruciatus – are known as the … Curses.

    — Professor Moody, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 14.

    What ‘U’ is the word removed from before the word ‘Curses’ in the above quote from JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire? Secondly, what subject is being taught to the class when the quote is used?

    Answers: Unforgivable; Defence Against the Dark Arts.

    The Unforgivable Curses—Killing, Cruciatus and Imperius—carried life sentences in Azkaban from 1717, with exceptions such as Auror use or Imperius influence. They were permitted during the First Wizarding War and legalised under Lord Voldemort before repeal.

    Two

    What ‘V’, the first aeroplane to fly coast to coast across the United States, was named after a sponsor’s soft drink? What company made the aircraft, and in what cities were the starting point and official destination of the flight?

    Answers: Vin Fiz Flyer. Wright Company (or Wright Brothers); New York and Pasadena, California (or Long Beach).

    Starting point: Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, New York, on the Atlantic coast.
    Official finishing point: Pasadena, California.
    Final destination: Long Beach, California, on the Pacific coast.

    The first crossing of the United States by airplane was achieved by Calbraith Perry Rodgers in 1911. In 1910, famed publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst announced his offer of a $50,000-prize for a U.S. transcontinental flight in thirty days or less. Rodgers’ Wright EX biplane was named the Vin Fiz after his sponsor’s grape soda product. He left Sheepshead Bay, New York, on September 17, 1911. A “hangar” car, a rolling workshop filled with spare parts to repair and maintain the airplane, followed along. The flight was punctuated by numerous stops, delays, and accidents. When Hearst’s 30-day time limit expired, Rodgers had only reached Kansas City, Missouri. Undaunted, he continued on, determined to make the first transcontinental airplane flight whether he received the money or not. He arrived in Pasadena, California, to a hero’s welcome, 49 days after setting out. Although Pasadena was the official end of the coast-to-coast journey, Rodgers flew on to Long Beach to complete the flight at the shore of the Pacific Ocean. The total distance covered was 6,914 km (4,321 mi) in 82 hours, 4 minutes, total flying time at an average speed of 82.4 kph (51.5 mph).

    — National Air and Space Museum

    Rodgers was killed in a crash shortly after his coast to coast flight.

    Three

    What ‘W’, a 19th-century battle, was known at the time as both the Battle of Mont Saint-Jean and La Belle Alliance? In what present-day country was it fought?

    Answers: Waterloo; Belgium.

    The Battle of Waterloo, fought on June 18, 1815, near Waterloo, marked the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte. The French Imperial Army, led by Napoleon, was defeated by the combined forces of the Seventh Coalition: a British-led army under the Duke of Wellington and a Prussian army under Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher.

    Four

    What ‘X’ was a film directed by Matthew Vaughn that was released in 2011, and who in this film plays a character with a surname also beginning with ‘X’?

    Answers: X-Men: First Class; James McAvoy.

    The 2011 superhero film X-Men: First Class, directed by Matthew Vaughn. Serving as a prequel to the original X-Men movie, it is set in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis and explores the early relationship between Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto) as they confront the Hellfire Club.

    Five

    What ‘Y’, a present-day city, did the Roman Empire know as Eboracum? How many Roman emperors died at Eboracum?

    Answers: York. Two.

    The name Eboracum derives from the Common Brittonic Eburākon, which carries a debated meaning. It might signify “yew tree place” or “rowan tree place”, or perhaps stem from the Latin for ivory, suggesting boar’s tusks. Latinisation altered the ending to -um, and the term shares origins with several modern French place names. Two Roman emperors died in Eboracum: Septimius Severus in 211 AD and Constantius Chlorus in ‘Y306 AD.

    Six

    What ‘Z’ was the regal name of the last king of Albania and in what two decades did he reign?

    Answer: Zog I; 1920s and ‘30s.

    After serving as prime minister and president with dictatorial powers, Ahmed Muhtar Bey Zogolli declared himself King Zog I of Albania in 1928. His reign was marked by an alliance with Fascist Italy, which eventually led to the Italian invasion of Albania in 1939. Zog was forced into exile, living in England during World War II and later in France, as the post-war Communist government barred his return. He died in 1961, and his remains were transferred to Tirana in 2012.

    Keep the current Quizology end-of-post separator exactly as it is, including the Quizology branding, quote, attribution, typography, layout, and proportions. Remove only the solid black background and make it transparent. Do not alter, rewrite, crop, resize, or redesign any lettering or artwork.

  • Final Few What ‘*’

    See question two. A Wright Model EX takes off from Sheepshead Bay, NY.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today there are six questions to get us to the end of the alphabet.

    One

    Now. . . those three curses – Avada Kedavra, Imperius, and Cruciatus – are known as the … Curses.

    — Professor Moody, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 14.

    What ‘U’ is the word removed from before the word ‘Curses’ in the above quote from JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire? Secondly, what subject is being taught to the class when the quote is used?

    Two

    What ‘V’, the first aeroplane to fly coast to coast across the United States, was named after a sponsor’s soft drink? What company made the aircraft, and in what cities were the starting point and official destination of the flight?

    Three

    What ‘W’, a 19th-century battle, was known at the time as both the Battle of Mont Saint-Jean and La Belle Alliance? In what present-day country was it fought?

    Four

    What ‘X’ was a film directed by Matthew Vaughn that was released in 2011, and who in this film plays a character with a surname also beginning with ‘X’?

    Five

    What ‘Y’, a present-day city, did the Roman Empire know as Eboracum? How many Roman emperors died at Eboracum?

    Six

    What ‘Z’ was the regal name of the last king of Albania and in what two decades did he reign?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

    Keep the current Quizology end-of-post separator exactly as it is, including the Quizology branding, quote, attribution, typography, layout, and proportions. Remove only the solid black background and make it transparent. Do not alter, rewrite, crop, resize, or redesign any lettering or artwork.

  • Yet More What ‘*’ — Answers

    Expedition ship Terra Nova during the British Antarctic Expedition, c.1911.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s Answers

    Day 4 of our continuing theme.

    One

    What ‘P’ links a creature from Greek myth and Bénouville Bridge, Normandy?

    Answer: Pegasus.

    Pegasus is a winged white stallion in Greek mythology, sired by Poseidon and born from Medusa after she was decapitated by Perseus. He later ascended to heaven to serve Zeus by bringing lightning and thunder from Olympus.

    Pegasus Bridge, originally the Bénouville Bridge, is a historic road crossing over the Caen Canal in Normandy. Built in 1934, it became famous during the Second World War when a British glider-borne force captured it intact on 6 June 1944 to limit German counter-attacks after the Normandy invasion. Renamed in honour of the operation and the shoulder emblem worn by British airborne forces, the original bridge is now a war memorial at the Memorial Pegasus museum, having been replaced by a modern bascule bridge in 1994.

    Two

    What ‘Q’ is a capital city; sits on the equator; and is amongst the highest capitals by elevation? Of what country is this city the capital, and what other country’s two capitals vie with this one as highest capitals?

    Answers: Quito, Ecuador; Bolivia.

    Quito, formally known as San Francisco de Quito, serves as the capital and second-largest city of Ecuador. Its population is estimated at 1.7 million within the city and 2.8 million across the metropolitan area. Situated in a valley on the eastern slopes of the active stratovolcano Pichincha in the Andes at 2,850 metres (9,350 ft), Quito ranks as either the highest or second-highest national capital globally, depending on whether La Paz or Sucre is regarded as Bolivia’s capital.

    Three

    Which ‘R’ was somewhat of a maverick before becoming a saint, then adopted a licence to kill on seven occasions? Who is the actor, and in which television production did Tony Curtis appear as a co-star?

    Answers: Roger Moore; The Persuaders!.

    Sir Roger George Moore was an English actor best known as the third actor to portray James Bond, starring in seven feature films between 1973 and 1985. On television, he played the lead role of Simon Templar in The Saint, starred in the American Western Maverick, and appeared alongside Tony Curtis in The Persuaders!.

    Four

    What ‘S’, in 1991, superseded SALT, which dated from the sixties? The answers are both an acronym and its meaning.

    Answers: START; Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.

    The START I treaty, proposed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan, led to the removal of about 80% of strategic nuclear weapons by late 2001. Following the Soviet Union’s collapse, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan agreed to its terms. After START I there were START II, III and then the New START Treaty in 2010, which extended nuclear weapon reductions until its expiration in February 2026, despite Russia suspending its participation in 2023.

    Five

    What ‘T’ was Captain Robert F. Scott’s ship on his ill-fated trip to Antarctica? Which explorer beat him to the South Pole by a few weeks?

    Answers: Terra Nova; Roald Amundsen.

    Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his party of five reached the South Pole on January 17, 1912, only to find Roald Amundsen had arrived first. On their return journey, a planned meeting with supporting dog teams failed, and the entire party died from exhaustion, starvation, and extreme cold just miles from their next supply depot. When their bodies were discovered, they were found with the first Antarctic fossils, which later proved the continent was once forested and connected to other landmasses.

  • Yet More What ‘*’

    See question five. Expedition ship … during the British Antarctic Expedition, c.1911.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Day 4 of our continuing theme.

    One

    What ‘P’ links a creature from Greek myth and Bénouville Bridge, Normandy?

    Two

    What ‘Q’ is a capital city; sits on the equator; and is amongst the highest capitals by elevation? Of what country is this city the capital, and what other country’s two capitals vie with this one as highest capitals?

    Three

    Which ‘R’ was somewhat of a maverick before becoming a saint, then adopted a licence to kill on seven occasions? Who is the actor, and in which television production did Tony Curtis appear as a co-star?

    Four

    What ‘S’, in 1991, superseded SALT, which dated from the sixties? The answers are both an acronym and its meaning.

    Five

    What ‘T’ was Captain Robert F. Scott’s ship on his ill-fated trip to Antarctica? Which explorer beat him to the South Pole by a few weeks?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Even More What ‘*’ — Answers

    Admiral Graf Spee, 1936.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s Answers

    Continuing the theme of the last few days.

    One

    What ‘K’ was the given name of Pope John Paul II who was elected pope at the October 1978 conclave? In what month and year had the previous conclave taken place?

    Answers: Karol; August 1978.

    Pope John Paul I was elected on 26 August 1978 and died 33 days later. John Paul II, who died in 2005 and was canonised in 2014, was born Karol Józef Wojtyła and was the first non-Italian pope for 455 years. He is credited with helping to end communist rule in Europe and expanding the Catholic Church’s influence globally.

    Two

    What ‘L’ was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World depicted, with the Colosseum, in the Octo Mundi Miracula? Name any of these Ancient Seven which still remain?

    Answers: Lighthouse of Alexandria; One: Pyramid of Giza.

    The Octo Mundi Miracula (1572) lists seven classical structures plus the Colosseum: the Great Pyramid of Giza, Colossus of Rhodes, Lighthouse of Alexandria, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Statue of Zeus at Olympia and Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Only the Pyramid remains; other lists differ.

    Three

    What ‘M’ is a port in which the German warship Admiral Graf Spee had taken refuge prior to being scuttled in 1939? In what country is the port located?

    Answers: Montevideo, Uruguay.

    Admiral Graf Spee, a German Panzerschiff, sank nine vessels before the Battle of the River Plate. Damaged, it was scuttled at Montevideo by Hans Langsdorff.

    Four

    What ’N’ is a demonym which best refers to William the Conqueror, and who did he defeat at the Battle of Hastings in 1066?

    Answers: Norman; Harold Godwinson aka Harold II.

    William the Conqueror was Norman. While the Normans were descendants of Vikings who had settled in Normandy (now a region in modern-day France), they had adopted the French language and customs by the time of William’s reign.

    Five

    In the film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Indiana Jones is shown lecturing students about Skara Brae, a stone-built Neolithic settlement located in an archipelago. What ‘O’ is the name of this archipelago, and in what country is it located?

    Answers: Orkney Islands; Scotland, UK.

    Skara Brae, a Neolithic settlement on Orkney’s west coast, was revealed by a storm and occupied from 3180 BC to 2500 BC. Ten structures remain within this UNESCO site, managed by Historic Environment Scotland and partners; visitors are welcome year-round.

  • Even More What ‘*’

    Admiral Graf Spee, 1936.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Continuing the theme of the last few days.

    One

    What ‘K’ was the given name of Pope John Paul II who was elected pope at the October 1978 conclave? In what month and year had the previous conclave taken place?

    Two

    What ‘L’ was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World depicted, with the Colosseum, in the Octo Mundi Miracula? Name any of these Ancient Seven which still remain?

    Three

    What ‘M’ is a port in which the German warship Admiral Graf Spee had taken refuge prior to being scuttled in 1939? In what country is the port located?

    Four

    What ’N’ is a demonym which best refers to William the Conqueror, and who did he defeat at the Battle of Hastings in 1066?

    Five

    In the film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Indiana Jones is shown lecturing students about Skara Brae, a stone-built Neolithic settlement located in an archipelago. What ‘O’ is the name of this archipelago, and in what country is it located?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • More What ‘*’ — Answers

    Fall of the Titans. Oil on canvas by Jacob Jordaens, 1638.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Today’s Answers

    One

    What ‘F’ was the Norse God of fertility?

    Answer: Freyr

    Freyr, a Vanir god linked to kingship and fertility, is depicted in the Rällinge statuette and associated with Sweden. He possesses Gullinbursti and Skíðblaðnir, marries Gerðr after surrendering his sword, and will be killed by Surtr at Ragnarök.

    Two

    What ‘G’ is a goddess in Greek myth who was the mother of the 12 Titans?

    Answer: Gaia

    The Titans, twelve children of Uranus and Gaia, preceded the Olympians. Cronus ruled until Zeus and the Olympians defeated them in the Titanomachy; most were imprisoned in Tartarus, though Oceanus and Helios remained free.

    Three

    What ‘H’, a neighbourhood in an American city, is where Alicia Keys was born?

    Answers: Hell’s Kitchen.

    Hell’s Kitchen, or Clinton, is a Manhattan West Side area bordered by 34th or 41st Street, 59th Street, Eighth Avenue and the Hudson River. Once Irish-American and working-class, gentrification since the 1980s raised rents. It hosts LGBTQ communities, the Actors Studio and diverse eateries.

    Four

    What ‘I’, a round of the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship, is named after a country, but the circuit itself is located elsewhere. Where is the circuit, and what is the name of the Grand Prix?

    Answers: Imola, Italy; San Marino Grand Prix.

    The Imola Circuit, an FIA Grade One track in Emilia-Romagna, hosted Formula One from 1980 to 2006 and returned in 2020 after reconstruction. Named after Enzo and Dino Ferrari, it saw fatal accidents, chicanes and cancellations, including floods in 2023. It also hosts other motor and cycling events.

    Five

    What ‘J’ wrote the song Woodstock, which appeared on the album Déjà Vu in March 1970 and was featured on Ladies of the Canyon the following month? Who released these two albums?

    Answer: Joni Mitchell wrote “Woodstock” and released Ladies of the Canyon. Déjà Vu was released by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

    Joni Mitchell wrote Woodstock after Graham Nash described the 1969 festival at Max Yasgur’s farm; her version appeared in 1970. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Matthews Southern Comfort achieved major success, symbolising 1960s counterculture.

  • More What ‘*’

    Fall of the Titans. Oil on canvas by Jacob Jordaens, 1638.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    What ‘F’ was the Norse God of fertility?

    Two

    What ‘G’ is a goddess in Greek myth who was the mother of the 12 Titans?

    Three

    What ‘H’, a neighbourhood in an American city, is where Alicia Keys was born?

    Four

    What ‘I’, a round of the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship, is named after a country, but the circuit itself is located elsewhere. Where is the circuit, and what is the name of the Grand Prix?

    Five

    What ‘J’ wrote the song Woodstock, which appeared on the album Déjà Vu in March 1970 and was featured on Ladies of the Canyon the following month? Who released these two albums?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.