Quizology.Online

Tag: art

  • Mr Watson—come here—I want you — Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

    Today’s questions all relate to the date, March 7th.

    Alexander Graham Bell.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    On 7 March 1876, Alexander Graham Bell secured a patent for his invention, the telephone. Once the first transcontinental telephone line was laid across the United States, a ceremonial first transcontinental call was made. Which decade did this happen in?

    Answer: 1910s.

    On 25 January 1915, Alexander Graham Bell made the ceremonial first transcontinental call. From New York City, he called his assistant, Thomas Watson, in San Francisco using the same words he’d used when he first successfully called Watson in a neighbouring room: ‘Mr Watson—come here—I want you.’ This time, Watson replied, ‘It will take me five days to get there now!’ The call also involved Woodrow Wilson, the US president, in Washington D.C. and Theodore Vail, AT&T president, on Jekyll Island, Georgia. 

    First transcontinental telephone call.
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    Two

    Rob Roy MacGregor, a Scottish outlaw, was the subject of the 1817 novel Rob Roy. Who was the author of this work?

    Answer: Sir Walter Scott.

    Rob Roy, a Highland outlaw known for his red hair and exploits against the Duke of Montrose, was often compared to Robin Hood. However, his life was marked by brigandage, debt, and a complex relationship with the Jacobite cause. Born in 1671, Robert Roy MacGregor was a Scottish outlaw and Jacobite hero who initially became a cattleman and later a respected figure. His life took a turn when he defaulted on a loan and was branded an outlaw. Despite this status, he gained fame, and his story was immortalised in literature and film and his letters reveal that he was well educated, suggesting that the view of him as a mere brutish highwayman does not do him justice. 

    Three

    Born in 1875 in Cibourne, France, this composer’s work would be used by skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean in their gold medal winning performance at the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics. Who was this composer and what was the piece of music?

    Answers: Maurice Ravel; Boléro.

    Performing their free dance to Boléro, British ice dancers Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean triumphed at the Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympics, securing gold and setting a new record for the highest score ever achieved in a single figure skating programme.

    Four

    On this date in 2024, which Northern European country joined NATO as its 32nd member?

    Answer: Sweden.

    The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted a significant reinforcement of NATO’s eastern flank.  Consequently, Sweden, previously neutral, decided to abandon that neutrality and join the alliance.

    Tableau I, Piet Mondrian.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Five

    Born in 1872, this Dutch artist became famous for a style featuring black grid lines and blocks of primary colours such as red, blue, and yellow. The style became known as Neoplasticism or De Stijl. Who was the artist?

    Answer: Piet Mondrian.

    Piet Mondrian, a Dutch painter and art theoretician, was a pioneer of 20th-century abstract art. He co-founded the De Stijl art movement and developed Neoplasticism, a non-representational form using primary colours, values, and directions.

  • Mr Watson—come here—I want you

    Today’s questions all relate to the date, March 7th.

    Alexander Graham Bell.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    On 7 March 1876, Alexander Graham Bell secured a patent for his invention, the telephone. Once the first transcontinental telephone line was laid across the United States, a ceremonial first transcontinental call was made. Which decade did this happen in?

    Two

    Rob Roy MacGregor, a Scottish outlaw, was the subject of the 1817 novel Rob Roy. Who was the author of this work?

    Three

    Born in 1875 in Cibourne, France, this composer’s work would be used by skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean in their gold medal winning performance at the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics. Who was this composer and what was the piece of music?

    Four

    On this date in 2024, which Northern European country joined NATO as its 32nd member?

    Tableau I.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Five

    Born in 1872, this Dutch artist became famous for a style featuring black grid lines and blocks of primary colours such as red, blue and yellow. The style became known as Neoplasticism or De Stijl. Who was the artist?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Impressionable—Answers

    Here are the answers to my questions which were posted earlier.

    All of these questions relate to today’s date, February 25th.

    Pierre-Auguste Renoir, self-portrait, 1910.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    The painter of the above self-portrait was born in Limoges, France, on 25 February 1841. He became an early Impressionist but later adopted a more traditional style. Who is he?

    Answer: Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

    Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) was a French artist and leading Impressionist painter. He later developed a more disciplined technique, focusing on portraits and figure paintings, particularly of women.

    Two

    This author, best known by a pen name but also using another — Joseph Kell, was born John Burgess Wilson on this day in 1917 in an inner-city suburb of Manchester, England. After wartime service, he left the British army in 1946 with the rank of sergeant-major. His most famous work, a dystopian satire published in 1962, was adapted into a controversial film in 1971. What is his best-known pen name?

    Answer: Anthony Burgess.

    Anthony Burgess (1917-1993) was an English novelist, critic, and man of letters renowned for his fictional explorations of modern dilemmas. He wrote over 50 books, including novels, literary criticism, biographies, and musical compositions. Burgess’s works often combined linguistic ingenuity, witty erudition, and sharp social satire. He is best known for his dystopian satire A Clockwork Orange and was also a versatile linguist and literary critic, writing numerous novels, librettos and screenplays.

    Three

    In 1986, after claiming victory in a fraudulent election which led to a military coup and revolution, President Ferdinand Marcos fled his country. Of what country was Marcos president, and which opposition leader replaced him as president?

    Answers: Philippines; Corazon Aquino.

    Ferdinand Marcos fled the Philippines on 25 February 1986, seeking refuge in Hawaii with his family and a vast fortune, in part consisting of 22 crates of cash valued at $717 million, 300 crates of assorted jewellery, $4 million worth of unset precious gems, 65 Seiko and Cartier watches, a 12 by 4 ft box full of pearls, a 3 ft solid gold statue covered in diamonds and other precious stones, $200,000 in gold bullion, nearly $1 million in Philippine pesos, and deposit slips to banks in the United States, Switzerland, and the Cayman Islands worth $124 million. While enjoying a lavish lifestyle, Filipinos back home grappled with the economic consequences of his rule. Amongst other things, Imelda Marcos, the ousted First Lady, was found to have a collection of 2,700 pairs of shoes. The revolution that ousted Marcos was fuelled by widespread discontent, with protests erupting not only in Manila but also in the provinces and islands. Source: Wikipedia.

    Four

    Born in 1943, this musician was a prominent figure in the music world during the swinging sixties. He was originally part of a band where he wrote hits like Here Comes the Sun and While My Guitar Gently Weeps. His sitar teacher was singer Norah Jones’ father. He later enjoyed a successful solo career. Who was he and who taught him to play the sitar?

    Answers: George Harrison; Ravi Shankar.

    George Harrison, lead guitarist of the Beatles, was known for his significant contributions to the band’s musical direction and his successful solo career. He incorporated non-Western musical influences, particularly Indian classical music, into the Beatles’ sound and later established himself as a solo artist with hits like My Sweet Lord. Harrison was also a prolific music and film producer, co-founding HandMade Films and producing acts for Apple Records. He produced the Monty Python’s troupe’s comedy film The Life of Brian (1979).

    Five

    In 1570, Pope Pius V excommunicated the English monarch from the Roman Catholic Church. Who was this monarch?

    Answer: Elizabeth I.

    Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch, ruled England and Ireland from 1558 to 1603. Her reign, marked by religious tolerance and cautious foreign policy, saw the establishment of the Church of England and the defeat of the Spanish Armada. Despite numerous courtships, Elizabeth remained unmarried, earning her the moniker ‘Virgin Queen’.

  • Impressionable

    All of these questions relate to today’s date, February 25th.

    Question One. Self-portrait, 1910.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    The painter of the above self-portrait was born in Limoges, France, on 25 February 1841. He became an early Impressionist but later adopted a more traditional style. Who is he?

    Two

    This author, best known by a pen name but also using another — Joseph Kell, was born John Burgess Wilson on this day in 1917 in an inner-city suburb of Manchester, England. After wartime service, he left the British army in 1946 with the rank of sergeant-major. His most famous work, a dystopian satire published in 1962, was adapted into a controversial film in 1971. What is his best-known pen name?

    Three

    In 1986, after claiming victory in a fraudulent election which led to a military coup and revolution, President Ferdinand Marcos fled his country. Of what country was Marcos president, and which opposition leader replaced him as president?

    Four

    Born in 1943, this musician was a prominent figure in the music world during the swinging sixties. He was originally part of a band where he wrote hits like Here Comes the Sun and While My Guitar Gently Weeps. His sitar teacher was singer Norah Jones’ father. He later enjoyed a successful solo career. Who was he and who taught him to play the sitar?

    Five

    In 1570, Pope Pius V excommunicated the English monarch from the Roman Catholic Church. Who was this monarch?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • The Milky Way—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions in my earlier post.

    Today’s questions all relate to the date, February 18th.

    Pluto.
    Photograph taken by NASA’s New Horizon spacecraft.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    In 1930, Clyde Tombaugh discovered what in our solar system?

    Answer: Pluto.

    In 1930, Clyde Tombaugh, an American astronomer, discovered Pluto despite lacking formal training. He attended the University of Kansas on a scholarship and completed his M.A. in astronomy in 1939. Tombaugh worked at the Lowell Observatory, cataloguing over 30,000 celestial objects before leaving in 1946. His research included star clusters, extragalactic nebulae, and planetary observations. In 1950, he predicted Mars’ cratered surface due to its proximity to the asteroid belt, a prediction confirmed by Mariner 4 in the 1960s. Tombaugh also taught at Arizona State College and the University of California, contributing significantly to astronomy.

    Two

    Born in Tokyo in 1933, she is a Japanese artist and musician. In 1968, she released, with her future husband, Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins, a collaborative experimental album. They later lived in an apartment building at 1 West 72nd Street, New York City. Who is she, what is the building at 1 West 72nd Street, NYC named, and who was her collaborative husband-to-be?

    Answer: Yoko Ono; The Dakota; John Lennon.

    Yoko Ono, a Japanese artist, musician, activist, and filmmaker, rose to fame in the 1960s and married John Lennon in 1969. She achieved success in music, including a Grammy-winning album with Lennon, and continues to honour his legacy through philanthropy. The Dakota, a historic luxury apartment building in New York City, was built between 1880 and 1884 in the German Renaissance style by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh. It was one of the first major developments on the Upper West Side and remains the city’s oldest luxury apartment building. Recognised as a National Historic Landmark, The Dakota is celebrated for its unique architecture and has housed numerous artists and celebrities.

    Three

    In 1965, The Gambia gained independence from the United Kingdom. This African nation is situated on which ocean and is bordered by which country?

    Answer: Atlantic Ocean; Senegal.

    The Gambia, Africa’s smallest mainland country, lies along the Atlantic coast surrounded by Senegal and follows the Gambia River through flat, navigable terrain. Its unusual shape stems from 19th‑century territorial agreements between Britain and France. A brief Senegambia confederation existed from 1982 to 1989. The nation, with a 2026 population of around 2.55 million, is a multiparty republic led by President Adama Barrow, with Banjul as its capital. English is the official language, and the main ethnic groups include Malinke, Wolof, Fulani, Diola and Soninke. The economy relies heavily on peanut production and export. Known for its sandy Atlantic beaches and the historic village of Jufureh, The Gambia combines dense rural settlement with cultural and historical links to neighbouring Senegal.

    Four

    Born on this day, Enzo Ferrari, automobile manufacturer, designer, and racing-car driver. In what decade, and in what city, was he born?

    Answer: Modena; 1890s.

    Enzo Ferrari (1898–1988) was an Italian car designer, manufacturer, and racing driver who founded Scuderia Ferrari and later Ferrari SpA. He began as a test driver after World War I, joining Alfa Romeo in 1920 and creating Scuderia Ferrari in 1929 to prepare Alfa race cars. By 1939 he had split from Alfa and formed Auto Avio Costruzioni, which evolved into Ferrari. The first car under his name, the 125 S, appeared in 1947 and won Ferrari’s first Grand Prix. Famous for speed and engineering excellence, his teams dominated the 1950s and 1960s, though tragedy struck with multiple driver fatalities and the death of his son Dino. Ferrari sold a stake to Fiat in 1969, remained president until 1977, and became a motorsport legend.

    Five

    In 2010, WikiLeaks publishes thousands of classified documents which had been disclosed by a U.S. soldier. What is his or her name?

    Answer: Bradley Manning or Chelsea Manning.

    In 2010, WikiLeaks, which had been founded in 2006, released nearly half a million documents on the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a 2007 video showing a U.S. helicopter attack killing twelve, including two Reuters employees. The Obama administration condemned the leaks as a national security threat. In November 2010, WikiLeaks published 250,000 classified U.S. diplomatic cables, revealing efforts to isolate Iran. Following the leaks, U.S. lawmakers pursued prosecution of Assange and collaborators. Bradley Manning, a U.S. Army analyst, was arrested in May 2010 for releasing the helicopter video and later accused of leaking cables. Manning pleaded guilty to 10 charges, was found guilty of espionage and theft in July 2013, and received a 35-year sentence. The day after sentencing Manning’s attorney issued a press release saying that his client was a female, and asked that she be referred to by her new name of Chelsea and feminine pronouns. WikiLeaks faced setbacks, including being taken offline and losing payment services.

  • The Milky Way

    Today’s questions all relate to the date, February 18th.

    Photograph taken by NASA’s New Horizon spacecraft.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    In 1930, Clyde Tombaugh discovered what in our solar system?

    Two

    Born in Tokyo in 1933, she is a Japanese artist and musician. In 1968, she released, with her future husband, Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins, a collaborative experimental album. They later lived in an apartment building at 1 West 72nd Street, New York City. Who is she, what is the building at 1 West 72nd Street, NYC named, and who was her collaborative husband-to-be?

    Three

    In 1965, The Gambia gained independence from the United Kingdom. This African nation is situated on which ocean and is bordered by which country?

    Four

    Born on this day, Enzo Ferrari, automobile manufacturer, designer, and racing-car driver. In what decade, and in what city, was he born?

    Five

    In 2010, WikiLeaks publishes thousands of classified documents which had been disclosed by a U.S. soldier. What is his or her name?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Omnium Gatherum—Answers

    Here are the answers for the questions in my earlier post, Omnium Gatherum.

    Today we have five random questions with no connections or related dates.

    Olympic Rings in 2023.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    In sport, where were the Games of the XXX Olympiad held?

    Answer: London, United Kingdom

    The 2012 Summer Olympics, held in London, featured 10,518 athletes from 206 countries. The United States topped the medal table, while Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian. The Games were praised for their organisation and the opening ceremony, directed by Danny Boyle.

    Two

    For what film did James Cagney win the Best Actor Oscar in 1942?

    Answer: Yankee Doodle Dandy

    Yankee Doodle Dandy is a 1942 biographical musical drama film about George M. Cohan, starring James Cagney. The film was a major hit, winning three Academy Awards, and was later selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.

    Three

    In what country did the artist Pablo Picasso die?

    Answer: France

    Pablo Picasso, a Spanish artist, was a leading figure in 20th-century art. He co-founded the Cubist movement, invented constructed sculpture and collage, and explored various styles throughout his 76-year career. Picasso’s most famous works include Les Demoiselles d’Avignon and Guernica.

    Four

    What sporting organisation does the abbreviation WPBSA stand for?

    Answer: World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association

    The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), headquartered in Bristol, England, governs professional snooker and English billiards. It devises rules, promotes global development, enforces conduct regulations, combats corruption, and supports various related organisations.

    Five

    An 1831 novel’s major characters include the following: Claude Frollo — the Archdeacon; Pierre Gringoire — a struggling poet; Phoebus de Chateaupers — the Captain of the King’s Archers. What novel, and who was its author?

    Answer: The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (French title: Notre-Dame de Paris); Victor Hugo

    The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, a French Gothic novel by Victor Hugo, was published in 1831. The novel, set in 15th-century Paris, focusses on the story of Quasimodo, Esmeralda, and Claude Frollo. Hugo championed historical preservation, particularly of Gothic architecture, through this work.

    Omnium Gatherum

    The post title —

    Definition of omnium gatherum in English:

    omnium gatherum
    NOUN 

    A collection of miscellaneous people or things: 

    ‘an omnium gatherum of anecdotes’


    Origin

    Early 16th century: mock Latin, from Latin omnium ‘of all’ and gather + the Latin suffix –um.

    — Oxford English Dictionary

  • Omnium Gatherum

    Today we have five random questions with no connections or related dates.

    Olympic Rings.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    In sport, where were the Games of the XXX Olympiad held?

    Two

    For what film did James Cagney win the Best Actor Oscar in 1942?

    Three

    In what country did the artist Pablo Picasso die?

    Four

    What sporting organisation does the abbreviation WPBSA stand for?

    Five

    An 1831 novel’s major characters include the following: Claude Frollo — the Archdeacon; Pierre Gringoire — a struggling poet; Phoebus de Chateaupers — the Captain of the King’s Archers. What novel, and who was its author?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Matchmaker—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions I posed in my earlier post.

    Today’s questions are all connected to December 23rd.

    Gwyneth Paltrow (left) and Toni Collette in Emma (1996).
    Image © 1996 Miramax Films via Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    In 1815, Jane Austen published her fourth novel, which was later adapted into a film in 1996. What was the title of the book?

    Answer: Emma

    Jane Austen’s 1815 novel, Emma, follows the matchmaking misadventures of Emma Woodhouse in the fictional town of Highbury.

    Two

    Who, born in 1933, became the 125th emperor of Japan in 1989, and how did his reign end in 2019?

    Answer: Akihito; abdication

    Akihito, the 125th emperor of Japan, reigned from 1989 to 2019. He abdicated in favour of his son, Crown Prince Naruhito.

    Three

    In 1888, what two artists were involved in ‘the incident at the Yellow House’, and what injury happened to one of them?

    Answers: Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin; Van Gogh cut off part of his left ear

    Vincent van Gogh cut off part of his ear in 1888 after a heated argument with fellow artist Paul Gauguin. The incident, possibly linked to van Gogh’s mental health struggles, led to his hospitalisation and Gauguin’s departure from Arles.

    Four

    In 2001, which South American nation announced the suspension of payments on its external debt marking the largest debt default in history?

    Answer: Argentina

    Argentina’s economy experienced a severe recession from 1998 to 2002, culminating in a US$93 billion debt default in 2001. This led to a rapid devaluation of the peso, soaring inflation, and a significant drop in GDP.

    Five

    Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was born in 1805. Which US state was his birthplace?

    Answer: Vermont

    Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, translated golden plates into the Book of Mormon. His teachings, including revelations and polygamy, were recorded and published.

  • Utility ought to be the principal intention of every publication—Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

    All of these questions are related to today’s date, December 10th.

    Lawrence of Arabia (1962).
    Image Encyclopædia Britannica

    One

    In 1962, David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia, which went on to became one of the most celebrated epics in the history of cinema, had its world premiere. Who starred as _ _ Lawrence, and what two initials are missing before his surname?

    Answer: Peter O’Toole (as) T.E. (Lawrence)

    Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 British historical epic biographical adventure drama film directed by David Lean. It portrays Thomas Edward Lawrence’s experiences in the Ottoman provinces during World War I and his involvement in the Arab National Council. The film, which won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. It follows Lawrence’s journey from a military cartographer to a leader of the Arab Revolt against the Turks, and is renowned for its stunning desert landscapes, shot on location in Jordan, Spain and Morocco.

    Two

    Which government officially surrendered on this day in 1932 after a month-long battle against thousands of large flightless birds, and what were the birds?

    Answer: Australian; Emus

    The Emu War was a brief and unsuccessful 1932 military operation in Australia aimed at controlling the emu population, which was damaging crops in Western Australia. Three members of the Royal Australian Artillery were tasked with culling approximately 20,000 emus using machine guns, but the weapons and tactics were ineffective. Despite petitions from local farmers, the campaign, which lasted from November to December, resulted in fewer than 1,000 emus being killed and became a subject of national and international ridicule.

    Portrait of Ada, Countess of Lovelace (Ada Lovelace), c1840.
    Image Wikipedia

    Three

    Ada Lovelace, often regarded as the first computer programmer, was born in Marylebone, London. In which decade was she born, and who was her famous father?

    Answer: 1810s; Lord Byron

    Born in 1815, Ada Lovelace, the daughter of the poet Lord Byron, was an English mathematician and writer renowned for her work on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine. She recognised its potential beyond mere calculation and developed a vision of computers’ capabilities, leading to her being considered the first computer programmer. Her contributions are celebrated on Ada Lovelace Day.

    Four

    In 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Which former First Lady of the United States chaired the United Nations Commission on Human Rights that was responsible for the drafting of the document?

    Answer: Eleanor Roosevelt

    The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948, is a foundational document of international human rights law. Drafted by a team including John Humphrey, Eleanor Roosevelt and René Cassin, it comprises 30 articles outlining civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. Although not legally binding, the UDHR has achieved significant moral authority and has influenced numerous international treaties and national constitutions.

    Five

    The first part of the first edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica, the English-language general encyclopaedia, was published and advertised for sale on this day. In what century and in what city did this occur?

    Answer: 18th century; Edinburgh,Scotland, United Kingdom

    The Encyclopædia Britannica, a general-knowledge English-language encyclopaedia, was first published in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1768 by a group of Scottish gentlemen. Initially released in three volumes, it introduced a “new plan” by combining treatises on arts and sciences with short articles on technical terms, catering to both serious students and those seeking quick reference material. William Smellie, an Edinburgh printer, is credited with devising this plan and writing or compiling many of the articles. The encyclopaedia transitioned from print to digital in 2012 due to strong competition from digital encyclopaedias like Microsoft Encarta and Wikipedia, yet it maintained its reputation for authoritative and scholarly content and is now available exclusively online.

    Utility ought to be the principal intention of every publication.

    The title of today’s post is the first sentence of the preface to the first edition of Encyclopædia Britannica.

    “UTILITY ought to be the principal intention of every publication. Wherever this intention does not plainly appear, neither the books nor their authors have the smallest claim to the approbation of mankind”
    .
    So begins the preface to Britannica’s 1st edition, which began publication 250 years ago this month (on December 10, 1768). Encyclopædia Britannica via Instagram