Question 1: Who invented the first practical reaper in 1831?
Question 2: In Norse mythology, who was the god of thunder?
In Norse mythology, Thor is the god of thunder, lightning, storms, and strength. He’s often depicted with his hammer, Mjölnir, which he used to create thunder and lightning.
Question 3: Who is the strong sailor character known for eating spinach?
Popeye the Sailor is a fictional character created by Elzie Crisler Segar. The character first appeared in the daily King Features comic strip "Thimble Theatre" on January 17, 1929, and became the strip's title in later years. Popeye is known for his exaggeratedly muscular forearms and his catchphrase, "I'm strong to the finish, 'cause I eats me spinach!"
Question 4: How many bones are in an adult human body?
At birth, we have approximately 270 bones, but as we grow, some of them fuse together, leaving us with 206 bones as adults.
Question 5: Where is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch located?
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a vast accumulation of marine debris, primarily plastic, located in the North Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California. It is formed by the convergence of ocean currents, creating a gyre that traps and concentrates the floating debris.
Question 6: What creature in Japanese folklore is known for its shape-shifting abilities and is often depicted as a sly trickster?
Kitsune are mythical foxes in Japanese folklore. Considered intelligent beings with magical abilities, the most noted of which is their ability to shape-shift into humans. They are often portrayed as tricksters, with motives that vary from mischievous to malevolent, but some stories depict them as guardians, friends, lovers, and wives.
Question 7: Where does the mathematical constant pi (π) come from?
Pi (π) is a mathematical constant that is defined as the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. It is an irrational number, which means it cannot be expressed as a simple fraction and has an infinite number of digits after the decimal point. Pi is approximately equal to 3.14159.
Question 8: Who is the youngest person to have ever won the Academy Award for Best Actor?
Adrien Brody won the Academy Award for Best Actor at just 29 years old for his role in "The Pianist". This makes him the youngest winner in that category to date.
Question 9: Who was the President of the United States during the Cuban Missile Crisis?
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union in October 1962 during the Cold War. It was caused by Soviet ballistic missile deployment in Cuba, and was resolved largely due to negotiations by President John F. Kennedy.
Question 10: Who composed the well-known piano piece "Für Elise"?
"Für Elise," one of Beethoven's most popular pieces, was not published during his lifetime. It was discovered and published by Ludwig Nohl 40 years after Beethoven's death in 1867. The identity of "Elise" is still debated by scholars.
Cyrus McCormick's reaper revolutionized farming by allowing wheat to be harvested much more efficiently than by hand. By 1850, he had sold over 5,000 reapers.