Question 1: In what year did the first human spaceflight occur?
Question 2: In which year was William Shakespeare born?
Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. The exact date of his birth is unknown, but he was baptized on April 26, 1564. He died on April 23, 1616 at the age of 52.
Question 3: In what year did the television show "Friends" first air?
"Friends" is an American television sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman. The show debuted on NBC on September 22, 1994, and quickly became one of the most famous television sitcoms of all time. It ran for ten successful seasons and concluded on May 6, 2004.
Question 4: Why, according to Greek mythology, was Pandora given a box she was forbidden to open?
In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman created by the gods. Zeus gave her a box which she was told never to open. However, curiosity got the better of her and she opened the box, releasing all the evils of humanity—such as death, sorrow, and sickness. This was done as a punishment to mankind because Prometheus had given the gift of fire to humans against the will of the gods.
Question 5: Which Australian banknotes feature a clear, plastic window as a security feature?
All Australian banknotes have a clear, plastic window as a security feature to help prevent counterfeiting. Australia was the first country to use this feature on its banknotes, starting with the release of the polymer $10 note in 1988.
Question 6: Where did the potato plant originate?
The potato plant is native to the Andes mountain region in South America, particularly in modern-day Peru and Bolivia. Potatoes were domesticated approximately 7,000 to 10,000 years ago.
Question 7: In which ancient civilization was the first form of a written language developed?
The Sumerians developed a cuneiform script around 3,500 BCE in Mesopotamia, which is considered to be the first form of a written language.
Question 8: What is the most expensive spice in the world?
Saffron is an extremely labour-intensive spice, requiring 150,000 bulbs of the autumn crocus flower to produce a kilogram. Here in Australia, some retailers sell just 5g for a whopping $40!
Question 9: Who is known as the father of psychoanalysis?
Sigmund Freud was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis, a clinical method for treating psychopathology through dialogue between a patient and a psychoanalyst. His work greatly influenced fields of psychology, psychiatry and the social sciences.
Question 10: Who invented the 'Black Box' flight recorder?
Dr. David Warren, an Australian scientist, invented the black box flight recorder in 1953. It was initially met with resistance, but now it's a mandatory component on commercial airlines, playing a crucial role in air accident investigations.
On April 12, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit the Earth, making a 108-minute flight in his Vostok 1 spacecraft.