Quizology.Online

Tag: technology

  • S is for… — Answers

    Today’s answers are shown below.

    Kurt Vonnegut, 1965.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    The first question relates to today’s date, April 11th, and the answer begins with the letter ‘S’. The remaining questions are not date-related but follow the ‘S’ theme.

    One

    Kurt Vonnegut, who passed away at the age of 84 on this day in 2007, published a novel in 1969. It follows the life and psychological traumas of Billy Pilgrim. What ‘S’ is the title of this novel?

    Answer: Slaughterhouse-Five.

    Slaughterhouse-Five is a 1969 anti-war novel by Kurt Vonnegut. It follows Billy Pilgrim, a soldier who experiences time travel and psychological trauma after surviving the Allied firebombing of Dresden whilst he was being held as a prisoner of war, like Vonnegut himself.

    Two

    What ‘S’ is an acoustic sensing method first used by Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century but more associated with the Cold War?

    Answer: Sonar.

    Sonar, a technique using sound propagation, is employed for navigation, distance measurement, communication, and object detection underwater. It can operate passively by listening for sounds or actively by emitting sound pulses and listening for echoes. Initially used by Leonardo da Vinci in 1490, who employed a tube inserted into the water to detect vessels by ear, sonar was further developed during WWI with a passive sonar system to counter submarines developed by 1918. Modern active sonar utilises acoustic transducers to detect objects.

    Three

    What ’S’ can this description apply to?

    • A republic with two heads of state
    • Official language: Italian
    • Currency: Euro

    Answer: San Marino.

    San Marino, a landlocked country in Southern Europe. It claims to be the oldest sovereign state and constitutional republic, being founded in AD 301. It has a unique political structure with two heads of state, the Captains Regent, elected every six months. San Marino is a member of the Council of Europe, uses the euro, and has a strong economy based on finance, industry, services, retail and tourism.

    Four

    What ‘S’ was the traditional garment worn by Roman women and the equivalent of the toga worn by men?

    Answer: Stola.

    The stola was the traditional garment of Roman women, akin to the men’s toga, and was also referred to as vestis longa due to its length. A well-known depiction of the stola is on the Statue of Liberty in New York City, which represents Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty. Libertas, known to the ancient Greeks as Eleutheria, is portrayed wearing the stola, a crown, and sandals.

    Five

    What ‘S’ connects the Moby-Dick to coffee (at least to 88.889%)?

    Answer: Starbuck(s).

    Starbuck, the young chief mate, is a thoughtful Quaker who opposes Ahab’s quest for revenge against Moby Dick, believing it to be madness and blasphemous. Despite his objections and desire to return home, he feels bound to obey Ahab.

    Moby-Dick didn’t have anything to do with Starbucks directly; it was only coincidental that the sound seemed to make sense.

    — Gordon Bowker, co-founder of Starbucks

  • S is for…

    Kurt Vonnegut, 1965.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    The first question relates to today’s date, April 11th, and the answer begins with the letter ‘S’. The remaining questions are not date-related but follow the ‘S’ theme.

    One

    Kurt Vonnegut, who passed away at the age of 84 on this day in 2007, published a novel in 1969 which follows the life and psychological traumas of Billy Pilgrim. What is the title of this novel?

    Two

    What ‘S’ is an acoustic sensing method first used by Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century but more associated with the Cold War?

    Three

    What ’S’ can this description apply to?

    • A republic with two heads of state
    • Official language: Italian
    • Currency: Euro

    Four

    What ‘S’ was the traditional garment worn by Roman women and the equivalent of the toga worn by men?

    Five

    What ‘S’ connects the Moby-Dick to coffee (at least to 88.889%)?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • A Maiden Voyage — Answers

    Here’s the answers to the questions I posted earlier.

    SS Great Western.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    These questions are all about today, April 8th.

    One

    In 1838, the SS Great Western, the earliest regular and first purpose-built transatlantic steamer, embarked on its first transatlantic voyage. Between what U.K. and U.S. ports did she sail on this voyage?

    Answer: Bristol, U.K. to New York City, U.S.

    SS Great Western, a wooden-hulled paddle-wheel steamship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was the largest passenger ship in the world from 1837 to 1839. Her maiden transatlantic voyage took 15 days, which was half the time taken by sailing ships. She served as a model for successful wooden Atlantic paddle-steamers and was scrapped in 1856 after serving as a troopship during the Crimean War.

    Two

    Born in 1938, who was the first Secretary-General of the United Nations to be elected from within UN staff?

    Answer: Kofi Annan.

    Kofi Annan, a Ghanaian diplomat and civil servant, served as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1997 to 2006. He was the first Secretary-General elected from within the UN staff and shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001. After his tenure, Annan founded the Kofi Annan Foundation, was chairman of the Elders, and served as a UN envoy for various conflicts.

    Three

    On this date in Japan, the birth of Buddha is celebrated. In what century was Buddhism founded?

    Answer: 6th or 5th centuries BCE.

    Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, was a religious teacher who founded Buddhism in the 6th or 5th century BCE. He taught a Middle Way between indulgence and asceticism, summarised in the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. Buddhism evolved into various traditions and spread beyond India, becoming prominent in Southeast and East Asia. Buddha, an enlightened being who achieved freedom from suffering, is celebrated by Buddhists for events in his life, including his birth, enlightenment, and nirvana, with festivals like Wesak and Hanamatsuri.

    Four

    In 2014, Windows XP reached its ‘End of Life’ and would not be supported. What product released in 2007 was the successor to Windows XP?

    Answer: Windows Vista.

    Windows XP, released in 2001, was the first consumer edition of Windows not based on the Windows 95 kernel. A successor to both Windows 2000 and Windows Me, it received critical acclaim for its performance, stability, and user interface.

    Five

    Born in 1902, this British mountaineer and his climbing partner vanished near the summit of Mount Everest during the 1924 British expedition.  Who were these two mountaineers?

    Answer: Andrew Irvine and George Mallory.

    Andrew ‘Sandy’ Irvine was the British mountaineer born on this day. He participated in the 1924 British Mount Everest expedition, the third British attempt to conquer the world’s highest mountain. Irvine and his climbing partner, George Mallory, vanished somewhere high on the mountain’s Northeast Ridge and were last seen alive at an uncertain distance from the summit. Mallory’s body was discovered in 1999, while Irvine’s partial remains were found in 2024. To this day, it is not known if they reached the summit or not.

  • A Maiden Voyage

    SS Great Western.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    These questions are all about today, April 8th.

    One

    In 1838, the SS Great Western, the earliest regular and first purpose-built transatlantic steamer, embarked on its first transatlantic voyage. Between what U.K. and U.S. ports did she sail on this voyage?

    Two

    Born in 1938, who was the first Secretary-General of the United Nations to be elected from within UN staff?

    Three

    On this date in Japan, the birth of Buddha is celebrated. In what century was Buddhism founded?

    Four

    In 2014, Windows XP reached its ‘End of Life’ and would not be supported. What product released in 2007 was the successor to Windows XP?

    Five

    Born in 1902, this British mountaineer and his climbing partner vanished near the summit of Mount Everest during the 1924 British expedition.  Who were these two mountaineers?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Ride ‘Em Cowboy — Answers

    The answers to the earlier posted questions are below.

    Pony Express Statue, St, Joseph, Missouri.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Here are five questions that are related to today’s date, April 3rd. There is also a bonus question at the end.

    One

    The United States Pony Express, inaugurated in 1860, commenced its first run from one city to another. Can you name both cities in the order of travel of this first run?

    Answer: St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California.

    The Pony Express was a mail delivery system that operated between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California, from April 1860 to October 1861. Utilising horse-and-rider relays, the service significantly reduced mail delivery time from 24 days to about 10 days. Despite its efficiency, the Pony Express was a costly venture and ceased operations with the completion of the transcontinental telegraph system.

    Two

    On this day the first flight over Mount Everest took place. In what decade did this occur? 

    Answer: 1930s.

    In April 1933, two Westland aircraft piloted by Lord Clydesdale and David McIntyre, with observers Stewart Blacker and Sidney Bonnett, became the first to fly over Mount Everest. The expedition, funded by Lucy, Lady Houston, aimed to promote British aviation and gather information for a planned summit attempt. Despite challenges with oxygen supply and weather conditions, the team successfully completed the flight, capturing valuable photographs of the terrain.

    Three

    The first public handheld mobile (cellular) phone call was made on this day. In what year did this occur and what telecommunications company made the call?

    Answer: 1973; Motorola.

    Motorola’s Martin Cooper made the first handheld mobile phone call in 1973. The prototype, nicknamed ‘the Brick’, weighed 2 kilograms and offered 30 minutes of talk time.

    Four

    In 2007, a conventional-train world record was set by a TGV train. In what country was this record set, and to the nearest 5 mph (5 km/h) what was the record-setting speed achieved?

    Answer: France; 355 mph (575 km/h).

    In 2007, a French TGV train on the LGV Est high-speed line set a new world speed record, achieving 357.2 mph (574.8 km/h) or 159.6 m/s. This was part of Operation V150, a series of high-speed trials that culminated in the record-breaking speed on 3 April 2007. The top speed was reached near the village of Le Chemin, between the Meuse and Champagne-Ardenne TGV stations, where the most favourable profile exists, 12 minutes and 40 seconds after leaving Prény from a standstill, covering 71 km.

    Five

    Sir Robert Walpole is regarded as the first prime minister of Great Britain. In what decade did he assume this office? 

    Answer: 1720s.

    The office of prime minister in Britain emerged in the 18th century, with Sir Robert Walpole recognised as the first de facto prime minister, serving from 1721 to 1742. Walpole’s financial expertise, peaceful foreign policy, and adept management of Parliament established his authority and set the foundation for the modern Cabinet system. However, he faced criticism for bribery and corruption and resigned following a failed war with Spain.

    Ride ‘Em Cowboy

    Today’s title alludes to the riders employed by the Pony Express but it was also the title of a 1942 comedy. What duo starred in it?

    Answer: Abbott and Costello.

    Bud Abbott and Lou Costello star as peanut vendors at a rodeo show who are forced to flee their boss, they hide on a train, and become cowboys on a dude ranch despite lacking experience whatever.

  • Ride ‘Em Cowboy

    Pony Express Statue.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Here are five questions that are related to today’s date, April 3rd. There is also a bonus question at the end.

    One

    The United States Pony Express, inaugurated in 1860, commenced its first run from one city to another. Can you name both cities in the order of travel of this first run?

    Two

    On this day the first flight over Mount Everest took place. In what decade did this occur? 

    Three

    The first public handheld mobile (cellular) phone call was made on this day. In what year did this occur and what telecommunications company made the call?

    Four

    In 2007, a conventional-train world record was set by a TGV train. In what country was this record set, and to the nearest 5 mph (5 km/h) what was the record-setting speed achieved?

    Five

    Sir Robert Walpole is regarded as the first prime minister of Great Britain. In what decade did he assume this office? 

    Ride ‘Em Cowboy

    Today’s title alludes to the riders employed by the Pony Express but it was also the title of a 1942 comedy. What duo starred in it?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • 1 GB of Storage for Free — Answers

    Here are the answers to the questions posted earlier.

    These questions are all related to today, April 1st.

    See question three. Marlene Dietrich in The Blue Angel.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Established in 1999, Nunavut, at 135,000 square miles of land (350,000 square km), is the World’s fifth-largest country subdivision. 

    1. Of what country is Nunavut a subdivision?
    2. What, to the nearest ten thousand, is the population of Nunavut?

    Answers

    1. Canada

    2. 40,000

    Nunavut, established in 1999, is the largest and northernmost Canadian territory, created for Inuit self-government. It covers a significant portion of Northern Canada and the Arctic Archipelago, making it the fifth-largest country subdivision globally. With a population of 36,858, it is the least densely populated major subdivision in the world.

    Two

    Gmail was launched on this day, in what year did this happen?

    Answer: 2004.

    Gmail, created by Paul Buchheit, was launched in 2004 and opened to the public in 2007, is the world’s largest email service with 1.8 billion users. It offers 15GB of free storage, supports large attachments, and integrates with Google Drive. The service is accessible from any internet-enabled device and features conversation view, integrated chat, and was briefly integrated with the social networking application Buzz.

    Three

    Josef von Sternberg’s Der blaue Engel (The Blue Angel) was released in Germany, and the classic film made Marlene Dietrich a star. What was Dietrich’s character name, as billed, in this film?

    Answer: Lola Lola.

    The Blue Angel (1930) is a German musical comedy-drama directed by Josef von Sternberg, featuring Marlene Dietrich, Emil Jannings, and Kurt Gerron. Based on Heinrich Mann’s novel Professor Unrat, it tells the tragic story of a professor’s downfall into madness due to his obsession with nightclub singer Lola Lola, played by Dietrich in her breakthrough role. This film introduced her iconic song, Falling in Love Again. Filmed in both German and English, the English version was initially lost but rediscovered and screened in 2009. The German version is preferred for its length and superior pronunciation.

    Four

    The Apple Computer Company, now Apple Inc., was founded in 1976, who were the three people who co-founded it?

    Answer: Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne.

    Apple Inc., founded in 1976 and headquartered in Cupertino, California, is a leading American multinational technology company renowned for its innovative consumer electronics, software, and online services. Known for its user-centric design and marketplace ecosystem, Apple revolutionised the technology sector with products like personal computers, smartphones and tablets. After nearly going bankrupt in the 1990s, the company returned to profitability under Steve Jobs’ leadership, introducing iconic products such as the iMac, iPod, iPhone and iPad. Today, Apple is the world’s largest company by market capitalisation and a major player in the PC, tablet, and mobile phone markets.

    Five

    In 1977, who had a U.S. number 1 and U.K. top ten hit with Got to Give It Up from the album Live at the London Palladium?

    Answer: Marvin Gaye.

    Marvin Gaye, an American soul singer-songwriter-producer, was a cultural icon and one of the greatest singers and songwriters of all time. He began his career with Motown Records, achieving success with hits like I Heard It Through the Grapevine and duets with Tammi Terrell. Gaye’s groundbreaking album What’s Going On showcased his musical individuality and social commentary, paving the way for other artists to take control of their music. He later produced his own albums, significantly influencing 1970s soul music and R&B sub-genres. Tragically, Gaye was shot and killed by his father on 1 April 1984.

    1 GB of storage for free

    The post title refers to Google offering users 1 GB of space, compared to the 2 to 4 MB that was the standard at the time.

  • 1 GB of Storage for Free

    These questions are all related to today, April 1st.

    See question three. Marlene Dietrich in The Blue Angel.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    One

    Established in 1999, Nunavut, at 135,000 square miles of land (350,000 square km), is the World’s fifth-largest country subdivision. 

    1. Of what country is Nunavut a subdivision?
    2. What, to the nearest ten thousand, is the population of Nunavut?

    Two

    Gmail was launched on this day, in what year did this happen?

    Three

    Josef von Sternberg’s Der blaue Engel (The Blue Angel) was released in Germany, and the classic film made Marlene Dietrich a star. What was Dietrich’s character name, as billed, in this film?

    Four

    The Apple Computer Company, now Apple Inc., was founded in 1976, who were the three people who co-founded it?

    Five

    In 1977, who had a U.S. number 1 and U.K. top ten hit with Got to Give It Up from the album Live at the London Palladium?

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.

  • Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?—Answers

    Here are the answers to my earlier questions.

    Today’s questions revolve around March 21st and follow the 5W1H format: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. This results in six questions instead of the usual five.

    Who

    In a 1980 television series finale, who shot J.R.? 

    Answer: Kristin Shepard.

    ’Who shot J.R.?’ is a catchphrase from the 1980 season finale of Dallas, referring to the fictional murder attempt on J.R. Ewing. The mystery, resolved eight months later, became a pop culture phenomenon and increased the popularity of cliffhanger endings. Kristin Shepard, played by Mary Crosby, was J.R.’s sister-in-law and mistress.

    What

    What did Jack Dorsey use to end the first public tweet in 2006: ‘just setting up my ——’? 

    Answer: twttr.

    Twitter (originally Twttr), launched in 2006, quickly grew to over 100 million users by 2012. Initially limited to 140 characters per post, the limit was increased to 280 in 2017 and removed for subscribed accounts in 2023.

    Flag of Namibia.
    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Where

    Represented by this flag, where, in 1990, gained independence after a combined period of 106 years German and then South African rule?

    Answer: Namibia.

    Namibia, a sparsely populated country in Southern Africa, gained independence from South Africa in 1990. Despite significant GDP growth, poverty and inequality remain high, with a Gini coefficient of 59 in 2015. The economy is based on agriculture, tourism, and mining, with a small manufacturing sector.

    When

    When was Gary Oldman’s year of birth?

    Answer: 1958.

    Gary Oldman, an English actor and filmmaker, is known for his versatility and intense acting style. He has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, and his films have grossed over $11 billion worldwide. Oldman began his career in theatre and rose to prominence in British film, later achieving greater recognition in American films and franchise roles.

    Why

    Why, in 1980, did U.S. President Jimmy Carter announce that the United States was boycotting that year’s Summer Olympics in Moscow?

    Answer: Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

    The 1980 Moscow Olympics, boycotted by the U.S. and 60 other countries due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, saw 5,000 athletes from 81 countries compete amidst ongoing protests and security concerns.

    How

    How many visitors, according to the U.S. National Park Service, visit Alcatraz annually (to the nearest 100,000)? 

    Answer: 1.2 million.

    Golden Gate National Recreation Area, established in 1972, includes Alcatraz Island, attracting 1.2 million visitors annually. The island offers a unique opportunity to explore its layered history and contemplate crime and punishment.

  • Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?

    Today’s questions revolve around March 21st and follow the 5W1H format: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. This results in six questions instead of the usual five.

    Who

    In a 1980 television series finale, who shot J.R.?

    What

    What did Jack Dorsey use to end the first public tweet in 2006: ‘just setting up my ——’? 

    Image Wikimedia Commons

    Where

    Represented by this flag, where, in 1990, gained independence after a combined period of 106 years German and then South African rule?

    When

    When was Gary Oldman’s year of birth?

    Why

    Why, in 1980, did U.S. President Jimmy Carter announce that the United States was boycotting that year’s Summer Olympics in Moscow?

    How

    How many visitors, according to the U.S. National Park Service, visit Alcatraz annually (to the nearest 100,000)? 

    Good luck! I’ll post the answers later.