Remember that you must answer our Stumper by sending us an
email
. If you are one of the correct answers picked, you may receive a free gift and be mentioned on the show, but you must do it within the next 5 days.
This Week's Stumper
#9305
Q: What is Barbie's home town?
email us the answer
Stumper Archive
#9304
Q: How many footballs are made for the Superbowl?
A: There are 72 footballs made for a superbowl.
#9303
Q: What minor leaguer who never played in the majors made a 4 million a year salary?
A: In 1994 Micheal Jordan made 4 million dollars a year from the Chicago White Sox, even though he only played in the minors and never made it up to the top.
#9302
Q: What 1920's figure was used as a symbol for the anti-vaccination movement?
A: Raggedy Ann, the cloth doll with red yarn hair, was used as a symbol for the 1920's anti-vaccination movement. Her creator, John Gruelle, made the doll as a character for his books in 1915. His daughter died of a vaccination when she was 13 so they became part of the movement and used the doll as a symbol.
#9301
Q: Who has the world's largest comic book collection?
A: The Library of Congress has over 100,000 comic books--the largest collection in the world (that we know of).
#9252
Q: How many first ladys have visited Sesame Street?
A: Four first ladies have visited Seasame Street: Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, and Michelle Obama.
#9251
Q: Royal Doulton produced many porcelain figures of ladies in gowns. The bottoms are marked with a stock number, proceeded by the letters HN. What does HN stand for?
A: The letters HN on Royal Doulton figurines stand for the head of the painting department, Harry Nixon, used from 1912 on, when they started making figures.
#9250
Q: What ceramic item was given away at fairs during the late 19th & early 20th Century as a prize?
A: Fairings take their name from fairgrounds. They are ceramic or porcelain trinket boxes, usually with figures, made kin Germany or England. Some were quite risque.
#9249
Q: Who was the only president to be defeated by his vice-president?
Answer: John Adams was defeated for re-election by Thomas Jefferson, the only vice-president to defeat his one time leader.
#9248
Q: What was the name of the Confederate submarine that sunk the Union Housatonic?
Answer:
The submarine H.L. Hunley sank the Union Housatonic in a major battle, but it also sank itself 3 times, drowing the crew each time. The inventor, Horace Hunley, also drowned.
#9243
Q: What car was used for the movie "Back to the Future" and used the flux capacitor for energy?
A:In Back to the Future the car used was a Delorean and the engine was a Flux Capacitor.
#9242
Q: Name 5 pottery companies in Ohio that made pottery now considered collectible?
A: There are over 300 pottery companies that worked along the Ohio River. They produced over 50% of all pottery in the US. It included Roseville, Weller, Hall, American Limoges, Homer Laughlin, Rookwood, etc.
#9241
Q: What did a bitter bottle contain?
A: Bitter was a description of the taste of the contents. It often included a mixture of herbs, spices, roots, and alcohol--often with a touch of opium or marijuana. It was considered a medicinal tonic and a wonder cure. No wonder!
#9240
Q: When did the Coca-Cola slogan "It's the Real Thing" originate?
A: "It's the Real Thing" advertising slogan was actually used in Coke's 1942 advertising campaign.
#9239
Q: What is a Flivver? (That's with 2 "v"s.)
A flivver is also known as a "tin lizzie." It's also called by the proper name--a Model T car. This was the first car mass produced on assembly lines with interchangeable parts.
#9238
Q: Why did 18th Century knifeboxes disappear in the 19th Century?
A: The invention or design of fitted top drawers in a sideboard led to the demise of knife boxes, which usually sat on the sideboard.
#9237
Q: Which famous Danish designer started a small porcelain factory that failed before he became famous for something else?
A: George Jensen, on par with LC Tiffany, is perhaps one of the greatest silversmiths of the 20th Century. His attempt at producing porcelain failed, prior to going into jewelry and silver.
#9236
Q: Which southern state capitol was the first to fall to Union troops?
A:Nashville, TN was the first southern capitol to fall to Union troops in Feb. 1862, less than a year after the Civil War started.
#9235
Q: Which US postage stamp features our 9th president?
A: William Henry Harrison, our 9th president, is featured on the 1938 nine cent stamp (yes, we had a nine cent stamp).
#9234
Q: What was Elvis' shoe size?
Answer: Elvis wore size 11 D shoes, but size 12 in Combat Boots.
#9233
Q:What product was made and sold by a company called Craft Master in 1952, sold for about $1.79, and decorated famous homes?
A: In 1952 a Detroit paint company owner named Max Klein developed the first world's first paint by number kit marketed under the name Craft Master. Each kit contained a rolled up canvas and jars of paint.
PS The first paint by number "master" might have been Leonardo Di Vinci.
#9232
Q:What was the first food product permitted by law to have artifical coloring?
A: Butter was the first product to have a "legal" coloring additive. It's white, coloring makes it creamy yellow. (Some can remember that margerine was sold with a gelcap to make it look like butter.)
#9231
Q: What was the first in flight meal? Hint: It wasn't Oral B toothpaste.
A: The first in flight meal was on a Zeppelin (Ilia Mouriametz) in 1914. It was a dinner of turkey and vegetables.
#9229
Q: What brand of toothpaste was carried aboard Apollo 11 on their mission to the moon?
A: Oral B toothpaste was used on Apollo 11 on their trip to the moon.
#9228
Q: What is the only Beatles song in which no Beatle plays an instrument?
A: Eleanore Rigby was the only Beatles song where no Beatle played an instrument.
#9227
Q: What was the longest running, most produced car in automotive history?
A: The original VW Beetle sold over 21 million cars from 1938 to 2003.
#9226
Q: Betty Boop (the cartoon character) first appeared in 1931. Who was she modelled after? (Hint: It wasn't Brian or Leon.)
A: Betty Boop first appeared in 1931. Her face was modelled after the singer Helen Kane. Her body was modelled after Mae West. Want to come up and see her sometime?
#9225
Q: What material is made from a mixture of resins from Malaysian trees? (Hint: some early daguerriatypes were made from it.)
A: The material called "gutta-percha" is made from tress found in Malaysia. It's kind of a cross between celluloid, wood, and plastic, usually dark brown in color.
#9224
Q: In what year did the US allow the use and mailing of a post card?
A: The US allowed the use and mailing of a postal card in 1872. Since then these cards have been made out of cardboard, cloth, leather, tree bark, plastic, and other material.
#9223
Q: Which actress was depicted in blue glass dishes given away as premiums for Wheaties and Bisquick in the 1930's?
A: Shirley Temple (Black) was born in 1928. She was a child star making her first movie when she was four. Dishes made by the Hazel Atlas Glass & US Glass Companies from 1934 to 1942 depicting her were given away as premiums.
#9222
Q: The pink rosy color has given its name to three groups of Chinese export porcelain. What are they? (Hint: It is not China Rose.)
A: Rose Mandarin, Rose medallion, and Rose Canton are three types of Oriental porcelain using a green and rose color decoration. Rose Mandarin depicts figures in a garden scene, Rose Medallion has panels of birds and flowers, and Rose Canton uses panels of pink flowers.
#9221
Q: When were wristwatches first introduced in the United States?
A: Wristwatches were first introduced in America in 1895. They did not catch on until after WWI, however, since men thought they were too "girly." During the war soldiers used them and they became important and efficient time pieces.
#9220
Q: Who was the first president to claim he had seen Lincoln's ghost?
A: Lincoln himself. According to legend, shortly after Lincoln was elected in 1860 he saw a double image of himself in a mirror. One was normal but the other was a pale double. Mrs. lincoln did not see the image but when told was convinced it was a sign Lincoln would die.
#9219
Q: What do the inventors of Coke, Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper all have in common? (Yes, we know they are all dead. We know they all liked soft drinks and yes, they were really wired with caffeine. What else?)
A: The makers of Coke, Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper were all civil war veterans.
#9218
Q: Who is the world's largest manufacturer of female apparel?
The world's largest (biggest) manufacturer of female apparel is Mattel. They make Barbie doll outfits.
#9217
Q: During WWII the Oscar statue was made of a different substance than it is now. What was it?
A: During WWII the Oscar was made of plaster since metal was deemed too essential and saved for war material.
#9216
Q: Which weighs more: a pound of feathers or a pound of gold?
A: A pound of feathers weighs more since they are weighed 16 ounces to the pound. A pound of gold is weighed on the troy system, 12 ounces to the pound.
#9215
Q: Who created the Gibson Girl?
A: Charles Dana Gibson first created the "Gibson" girl in the 1890's which was featured in newspapaers, magazines, and pen and ink drawings.
#9214
Q: What was the first big political campaign (presidential) to have used souvenier items to promote their candidate?
A: The political campaign of William Henry Harrison, our 9th president, first used give-a-way political momentos in the campaign of 1840.
#9213
Q: What china pattern depicts the flight of two lovers fleeing from an irrate father who drown in their attempted escape? A pair of doves, or lovebirds, at the top depict the souls of the lovers
A: The famous Blue Willow Pattern, used for many years by many companies, depicts an Oriental scene of a bridge over water, figures often moving toward the bridge, and doves at the top. The story about lost love was concoted after the pattern had been in production and probably has nothing to do with the scene.
#9212
Which Biblical motif toy has become the most sought after plaything of the 19th century?
A: In the 19th century children had few playthings. They were allowed to play on Sunday afternoons (after church) with a wooden set of Noah's Ark and animals. These were made of wood, often by the father or local craftsman, and painted. They are now considered folk art and can command thousands of dollars.
#9211
What unique Victorian object was used to store potpourri?
A: Potpourri or perfurmed dried flowers, like roses, were kept in the Victorian period to remember a sentiment. A rose bowl was developed to hold the mixture, which was like a round ball with an opening at the top. It was usually made of glass in very pretty colors and textures, like satin glass.
#9210
What potter was "discovered" in 1972 when nearly 6,000 pieces of his pottery stored since 1906 were discovered in Mississippi?
Answer:
George Ohr, otherwise know as the mad potter of Biloxi, became known in 1972 when nearly 6,000 pieces of his pottery were discovered stored in Mississippi.
#9209
Which US currency bill features a buffalo in the center flanked by portraits of Lewis and Clark?
A: The 1910 Ten Dollar Note!
#9208
Q: Who was the first recognized American furniture maker to have a complete style or design named after him?
A: Duncan Phyfe of New York was the first American furniture maker to have a style named in his honor. Almost none of the Duncan Phyfe furniture sold under that name was actually made by him.
#9207
Q: What US coin was struck in commemoration of the pioneers who died along the 2,000 mile western trail called "the highway of history"?
A: In 1926 the US Mint Commemorated the Oregon Trail by issuing a special half dollar.
#9206
Q: Speaking of color, what color is black amethyst glass?
A: Black amethyst glass appears black until held up to the light, then a dark purple or amethyst can be seen.
#9205
Q: ?
A: The first television sets had 5 channels. In 1949 additional UHF channels were added. The first color set was introduced in 1951.
#9204
Q: 6 Union officers ascended to the Presidency. Who were they?
#9203
Q: What is the difference between Goebel and Hummel?
A: Goebel is the company in Germany that made Hummel figurines (works based on the drawings of Sister Maria Innocentia, a.k.a. Berta Hummel).
#9202
Q: Where is murano glass made?
A: Venice, Italy is NOT the correct answer. It is actually Murano, a small island just off Venice. Since 1981 the term Murano glass may only be used for glass made on Murano Island.
#9201
Q: Which famous radio and tv star from the 1950's was featured on an early toy car?
A: Milton Berle, or "Uncle Miltie" as we fondly remember him by, was featured in a 1950's Marx lithographed tinplate crazy car. You wound it up and it went round and round, side to side, up and down. Kind of like laughing at Uncle Miltie's jokes.
#9120
Q:
A: Barbie's are all marked on her bottom. The date shown is the patent date, not the date she was made. Look for the tatoo.
#9119
Q: Mr. Peanut was introduced as the mascot for a firm in 1916. What company was it?
A: Planters Peanuts was founded by Polish immigrant Amadeo Obice in 1906. A few years later they introduced Mr. Peanut. (You thought it was George Washington Carver, didn't you?)
#9118
Q: Why do outhouses have half moons on or over the doors?
A: Outhouses were used in an era when people could not read so symbols differentiated the male or female outhouse (or side of the outhouse). Men were represented by a half moon and the ladies by a star. We have no idea why.
#9117
Q: How many animals can be found on an Animal Cracker box?
A: There are 17 animals. The string handle, by the way, was not to carry the box, but to hang it on a Christmas tree.
#9116
Q: What is the difference bewteen a chamberstick and a candlestick?
A: A candlestick is tall enough to stand alone on the floor. A chamberstick was to light the way when walking around the house and to your bed chamber. It usually hand a handle.
#9115
Q: When do burglaries of antiques usually occur?
A: August is the peak month for residential burglaries. April has the fewest. The average break in time is 17 minutes. (We haven't timed it.)
#9114
Q: What's the difference between a time piece and a clock?
A: A timepiece measures time but does not strike. A clock strikes hours, sometimes half hours.
#9113
Q: When did sewing machines start making quilts on a regular basis?
A: Sewing machines were used to make quilts as early as 1850.
#9112
Q: What is a confidante?
A: A confidante is called a tete a tete (now you know why it's called a confidante). It's really a double chair with each seater facing the other to discuss private matters.
#9111
Q: Why did Grand Rapids, MI become the center of furniture production in the US in 1890?
A: Grand Rapids, Michigan became the furniture capitol of the world in 1890 because they had an unlimited supply of hardwood and the trasnportation to take the finished products across the US. (The GR & Indiana RR extended the whole length of the state.) The first furniture company started in 1836, but by 1890 there were 38 factories.
#9110
Q: What is a furniture drummer?
A: A furniture drummer was a traveling sales rep that sold furniture during the last quarter of the 19th century. (That's why we call it "drumming up business.")
#9109
Q: What beer was packaged in camouflaged color cans during WWII?
A: Schaefer Beer from New York (the one beer to have when you're having more than one) made the camouflaged bottles during WWII.
#9108
Q: What is the best color for the glass of a beer bottle? Why?
A: A brown beer bottle is best because it filters out most of the light, and light can spoil a bottled beer.
#9107
Q: The Crystal Palace Exhibition was deducated to which English sovereign?
A: The Crystal Palace or The Great Exhibition of 1851 (as it was officially called) was dedicated to Prince Albert, beloved husband of Queen Victoria.
#9106
Q: How many legs does a typical Victorian Grand Piano have?
A: A Victorian Grand Piano is usually square and has 4 legs.
#9105
Q: When was the folding rocker developed and sold on a mass produced basis?
A: Folding rockers were a development of the Eastlake design popular around 1885. (It was named after Charles Eastlake.)
#9104
Q: What is the difference between an "S" and a "C" rolltop desk?
A: The "C" and "S" rolltop desks refer to the shape of the tambour or roll. A C shape is like a single curve (like the letter C). An S shape is a double camelback or S shape. The S rolls are usually much more valuable.
#9103
Q: What is the oldest major US Sporting event?
A: The Kentucky Derby is the oldest US Sporting event. It started in 1875.
#9102
Question: The Lone Ranger TV Show and Leon have something in common. What is it?
A: Leon and the Lone Ranger were both born in the same year (the TV version). Leon also wears a mask when doing very important appraisal work!
#9101
Question: In a pair of Victorian luster mantel lamps, what does the term luster refer to?
A: A Victorian luster or lustre is the name given to a lamp with glass prisms dangling to the edge or rim. They make the light shimmer and sparkle or...luster.
|
