1 answer
Jan 01 26 by gmackematix
The oldest verified Border Collie lived to be how many years old?
Here's a source that claims Bramble is the oldest Border Collie.
[quote]Bramble lived in the UK and held the Guinness World Record for being the oldest living dog at the time.[/quote]
https://freshwoof.com/blogs/freshwoof-blog/bramble-s-secret-to-living-over-25-years (wellenbrecher)
2 answers
Dec 29 25 by GBfan
2 answers
Dec 29 25 by GBfan
1 answer
Jan 10 26 by DomiNeyTor
1 answer
Jan 08 26 by Thesuperyoshi
US President Woodrow Wilson won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919 for establishing the League of Nations, but why did the USA NOT join the organisation that he founded?
Learned about this in Social Studies, way back when: so, while President Woodrow Wilson was the League's primary visionary, the United States remained outside the organization due to a disagreement of constitutional law, fierce political rivalries, and an argument over whether this would or would not impact American sovereignty.
Under the Constitution of the United States, their president has the power to negotiate treaties. However, in order for them to become enacted, the Senate (upper house) must ratify them by a two-thirds majority. By numbers, in 1919, the Republicans held a slim majority in the Senate, meaning that Wilson (who was a Democrat) needed to win over a significant number of political opponents to succeed. His failure to invite any high-ranking Republicans to the peace talks in Paris was seen by many as a deliberate snub.
When debate raged, the biggest deal-breaker was listed as Article X of the League of Nations Covenant. This article required member nations to come to the aid of any other member experiencing external aggression. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, leader of the opposition, feared that Article X would force the U.S. into "entangling alliances" and foreign wars without a formal declaration of war from Congress (essentially, what started WWI in the first place). They believed it stripped the U.S. of its sovereignty and violated the Constitution's mandate that only Congress can declare war. Also, there was a smaller group of senators, mostly isolationists, who refused to join the League under any circumstances, regardless of amendments. This was because of political lines being drawn.
Wilson and Henry Cabot Lodge intensely disliked each other. Lodge drafted a list of "14 Reservations" (a mockery of Wilson's 14 Points speech) that would limit U.S. obligations to the League. Wilson, the stubborn fool that he was, did not want to compromise. He tried to rally public support by travelling across the country, but (and perhaps it was the exertion) he had a stroke on the way and became partly paralyzed. He ordered the Democrats to not give in to Lodge's demands under any circumstances.
So, with two votes, one in 1919, and the other in 1920, the Senate did not meet the 2/3 majority needed to ratify the treaty either time. Interestingly, it was not from Henry Cabot Lodge that we get the expression "to lodge a complaint", but he used that to the best of his abilities to ruin Wilson's reputation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Nations
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1914-1920/league
https://www.jstor.org/stable/25144432 (LeoDaVinci)
1 answer
Jan 04 26 by ozzz2002
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Jan 04 26 by serpa
1 answer
Jan 04 26 by Philip_Eno
What is the fastest recorded speed of a cricket ball legitimately delivered during a Test Match?
A ball delivered at 160.4 km/h (99.66 mph) by Australian bowler Mitchell Starc.
"Australia's Mitchell Starc delivered a ball at 160.4 km/h (99.66 mph) during a Test match between Australia and New Zealand at the WACA in Perth, Australia, on 15 November 2015. The left-armer's yorker was defended by New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor, who weathered the storm and went on to make 290 - the highest Test score by a visiting batsman in Australia."
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/413738-fastest-ball-bowled-in-a-test-match (Philip_Eno)
1 answer
Dec 31 25 by odo5435
Why did the Hamilton Watch Company move its manufacturing operations from Pennsylvania, USA, to Switzerland, in 1969?
Hamilton acquired the Swiss company Buren in 1966. Three years later it closed its US operations because of lower labour and manufacturing costs: [quote]In 1966, the brand acquired the Buren Watch Company of Switzerland, including their factories and technologies likeBuren's innovative micro-rotor. The two companies mixed components for the next three years before Hamilton finally ended its seventy-seven-year history of American manufacturing and routed all production to Switzerland. This shift - made in part due to the low comparative cost of labor and manufacturing - proved well-timed.[/quote] https://windupwatchshop.com/en-au/blogs/chronicle/a-history-and-guide-to-hamilton
This website doesn't mention Buren. It was Hamilton's diversification and the associated losses, as well as the poor quality of watches, which caused the closure of the US watch division. The author blames Jacob Hain: [quote] In 1961, the HWC bought Standard Time Corporation, A Virgin Islands wholly owned subsidiary company. This division was making the Vantage products at a greatly reduced price and quality for the HWC's lower end products. The obvious ploy was to compete with the Swiss as they had lower labor costs, and it was hard for the HWC to compete. The HWC grew into a large conglomerate; it was more than just a watch company. The HWC became involved in Wallace Silversmiths, Puritan Fireplace Furnishings, Industrial products, elapsed time indicators, gauges, battery operated timing devices, photo etched products in electrical components for computers and aerospace ... They were all over the place and they were not focused on what they did best, watches. In the 1964 Annual Report it states, "In May the Canadian plastics business was sold and a contract for the sale of the Puritan Fireplace Furnishings division was executed in January 1965, neither of these businesses was compatible with our other operations nor did they promised sufficient profit in the foreseeable future to warrant continuing our investment in them." The key words here, "not compatible with our other operations."
The demise could either be attributed to Art Sinkler and his expansions outside of the watch making arena, the Swiss competition or probably was more likely due to a fellow named Jacob Hain, through his Penn Square Mutual Fund (Bush Terminal out of Reading, PA), who bought a large chunk of the HWC. His company owned 30% of the stock in 1961 which they started buying two years prior, and by December 1963, his company owned nearly 54% of the common stock ... When the HWC acquired Standard Time in 1961 for its inexpensive Vantage line of watches. This was contrary to the HWC longstanding practice of elevating quality over quantity. Through Sinkler's leadership, the quality of Hamilton watches in the early 60's took a steep dive: dials were now for the most part embossed and made of brass, not of sterling with solid gold numerals; most of the cases were made in stainless steel and rolled gold plate, micro plated, not gold filled; and most the movements were imported from Switzerland and marked "Hamilton" ...
In closing, the demise was either through the expansions of Art Sinkler (20% of the blame in my opinion) or Jacob Hain's Penn Square-Bush Terminal (80% of the blame in my opinion). This is 100% my opinion from the materials I have read. I also feel that if Hamilton just made watches of high quality, they could have survived as just a watch company as many of the other major American watch brands were out of business. [/quote] https://www.vintagehamilton.com/articles/the-demise-of-the-hamilton-watch-company-in-lancaster-pa-and-the-rise-of-the-swiss-owned-hamilton-watch-company
(gtho4)
1 answer
Jan 03 26 by Thesuperyoshi
1 answer
Jan 01 26 by DomiNeyTor
Did chart sales in the UK and US ever include sales of music cassette tapes and if so, over what period?
Yes, cassette tapes were included in chart sales from the moment they were viable, starting at least as early as 1973. From 1983 to 1989 it was the primary format, initially passing vinyl records, and being overtaken by CDs.
(The link below is a fun way to watch the preferred media consumption change)
https://www.aei.org/carpe-diem/animated-chart-of-the-day-recorded-music-sales-by-format-share-1973-to-2022/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record_sales
(maripp2002)
1 answer
Jan 02 26 by gmackematix
Have any animals ever won a Grammy award?
Apparently, Frank Ocean's Dog "Everest" won a Grammy:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DJrNQUTOl_K/
Frank Ocean credited his dog as an executive producer on "Channel Orange" The album dropped in 2012 and won Best Urban Contemporary Album at the GRAMMYs. So, only in an administrative capacity! (LightninBug)
1 answer
Dec 30 25 by GBfan
Who was the last monarch to be crowned King of Scotland in Scone?
King Charles II
[quote]The Kingdom of Scotland relinquished its sovereignty and independence when it unified with the Kingdom of England to form a single Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. Thus, Queen Anne became the last monarch of the ancient kingdoms of Scotland and England and the first of Great Britain, although the kingdoms had shared a monarch since 1603 (see Union of the Crowns). Her uncle Charles II was the last monarch to be crowned in Scotland, at Scone in 1651[/quote] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Scottish_monarchs (odo5435)
1 answer
Jan 01 26 by pehinhota
Who is the only person to have won both an Olympic medal and an Oscar?
That would be Kobe Bryant, who was part of the gold medal winning USA men's basketball teams in 2008 and 2012, and also won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2018 for "Dear Basketball", that was based on a poem he wrote, and which he produced. Helped that he could hire Disney veteran animator Glen Keane and Hollywood legend composer John Williams to work on the project.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dear_Basketball
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_Bryant (Upstart3)
1 answer
Jan 01 26 by Thesuperyoshi
Why is the word "Circassian" sometimes used to describe white people?
The right word is *Caucasian*. Not Circassian. In fact, the term Circassian has never been used as a blanket term for persons of European or white ancestry.
The word Circassian is more appropriately used when talking about a specific ethnic group{i.e. the Adyghe} from the North Caucasus region{largely part of the Russian Federation these days}.
On the other hand, *Caucasian* is sometimes used when broadly speaking about persons of European origin, white people in general or persons from the Caucasus region.
Circassian:
The Circassians, also known as the Cherkess or the Adyghe, are a Northwest Caucasian ethnic group native to Circassia, a region and former country in the North Caucasus.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circassians
Caucasian: Caucasian is a term used to describe white people. This includes most people who live in Europe, America, and Australia.
https://study.com/academy/lesson/caucasian-overview-people.html
(Harmattan)
1 answer
Dec 31 25 by chabenao1
What was the shortest Test cricket match ever played?
In terms of balls bowled, the drawn 2009 2nd West Indies vs England Test was the shortest ever, as only 10 balls - less than two overs - could be played.
The shortest decisive result, and possibly one of the shortest in time (it ended on the second day after 23 wickets fell on the first) was South Africa vs India, Cape Town (2024) which took 624 balls to produce a 7-wicket India victory.
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-west-indies-2008-09-352657/west-indies-vs-england-2nd-test-352662/full-scorecard
https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/after-mcg-clash-here-are-three-shortest-test-matches-of-this-century-23609667 (WesleyCrusher)
1 answer
Dec 31 25 by odo5435
When are you legally allowed to have 12 players on one team on the field in an NFL game?
According to the NFL rulebook (6-1-1), a team may have 12 players on the field during a kickoff. This can only occur if the ball falls off the tee twice. In that case, the team must bring in a 12th player to hold the ball. However, as soon as the ball is kicked, this 12th player cannot participate in the rest of the play and must immediately leave the field.
https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-rulebook/#article-1-free-kick (WandMaster8)
1 answer
Dec 30 25 by GBfan
Who was the youngest man to ever set foot on the moon?
'Young' is a relative term. Heading towards 37 years old, Charles Duke is (as at 1/1/26) the youngest person to have set foot on Earth's moon.
https://www.oldest.org/people/youngest-people-on-the-moon/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Duke (odo5435)
1 answer
Dec 30 25 by GBfan
2 answers
Dec 29 25 by GBfan
In which two countries were the musical artist, Prince's wives born?
Prince Rogers Nelson (1958-2016) married Mayte Garcia in 1996 (they divorced in 2000) and then Manuela Testolini 2001 (divorced in 2007). Garcia was born in Alabama USA and Testolini was born in Toronto Canada.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_(musician)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayte_Garcia
https://marineagronomy.org/newserx/40077-manuela-testolini-a-comprehensive-look-at-her-life-and-impact
(gtho4)
1 answer
Dec 29 25 by GBfan
2 answers
Dec 29 25 by GBfan
The oldest verified Border Collie lived to be how many years old?
The longest living Border Collie on record was Bess, a Border Collie from the United Kingdom. Bess lived to an impressive age of 29 years. She passed away in 2009.
www.idogwoofwoof.com/archives/18103#:~:text=The%20longest%20living%20Border%20Collie%20on%20record%20was,made%20her%20a%20well-known%20figure%20among%20dog%20enthusiasts. (pehinhota)
2 answers
Dec 29 25 by GBfan
Who was the last person executed by guillotine?
On September 10, 1977, at Baumetes Prison in Marseille, France, Hamida Djandoubi, a Tunisian immigrant convicted of murder, becomes the last person executed by guillotine.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/September-10/the-guillotine-falls-silent (pehinhota)
3 answers
Jan 26 22 by Thesuperyoshi
What city in Wisconsin is known for Sun Drop soda?
Shawano is the city in Wisconsin known for Sun Drop soda. It has been bottled by Twig's Beverage since 1951. However, Sun Drop was created in Missouri, but Twig's Beverage secured manufacturing and distribution rights for Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Shawano hosts the "Sundrop Dayz" festival, an annual festival dedicated to the soft drink. Visitors can tour the Twig's Sun Drop University Museum and bottling plant.
https://wisconsinlife.org/story/bottling-nostalgia-in-shawano/
https://www.packworld.com/trends/contract-packaging/article/22920261/twigs-beverage-blends-tradition-with-modern-efficiency
https://www.twigsbeverage.net/our-story (1nn1)
2 answers
Dec 29 25 by GBfan
When was the last new element added to the Periodic Table?
The heaviest two - Tennessine and Oganesson - were both officially added to the table November 28, 2016.
If you wish to go by the date of the experiment that led to the discovery, Tennessine wins (2009).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_chemical_element_discoveries
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oganesson (WesleyCrusher)
1 answer
Dec 30 25 by GBfan
4 answers
Dec 23 25 by gmackematix
Which Ohio city, place of a 1876 railroad disaster, is mentioned in the Bob Dylan song "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go"?
The city is Ashtabula. It sits at the mouth of the Ashtabula river on the banks of Lake Erie in Ashtabula County, Ohio. The train wreck occurred on December 29, 1876 when a railroad bridge which crossed the Ashtabula River collapsed with a passenger train on it. All but the locomotive fell into the river. Some people survived the fall but some died when the wooden cars caught fire from oil lanterns and coal-fired stoves in each car. About 92 people died.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashtabula_River_railroad_disaster
In the song "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go," on Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks" album he probably mentions Ashtabula because it is about the only city with a close-enough four-syllable rhyme to Honolulu:
"I'll look for you in old Honolulu
San Francisco or Ashtabula."
(CmdrK)
1 answer
Dec 29 25 by pehinhota
A group had a minor Christmas hit in 2010. It is about something that one street in their city historically had first, another street traditionally has first annually and another street traditionally has the most luxurious, based on themes such as the crown jewels or perfume bottles. What is the theme and why are all three linked to a festive colour?
Indeed, Christmas Lights by Coldplay reached no 13 in the UK and 25 on the Billboard charts, but did do better elsewhere in Europe (4 in Iceland, 3 in Finland, 2 in Italy and the Netherlands and hit no 1 in Hungary).
https://youtu.be/z1rYmzQ8C9Q?si=caIHpDYopwGu93vj
Regent Street were historically the first to have Christmas lights back in 1882, although they didn't become a regular full scale feature until 1954 after an article in the Daily Telegraph saying Central London was too dull in the winter.
https://www.londonpicturearchive.org.uk/view-item?key=SXsiUCI6eyJ2YWx1ZSI6InRlZW5hZ2UgY2VsZWJyaXR5IHZrdmlkZW8iLCJvcGVyYXRvciI6MSwiZnV6enlQcmVmaXhMZW5ndGgiOjMsImZ1enp5TWluU2ltaWxhcml0eSI6MC43NSwibWF4U3VnZ2VzdGlvbnMiOjMsImFsd2F5c1N1Z2dlc3QiOmZhbHNlfSwiRiI6ImV5SjBJanBiTVYxOSJ9&pg=12&WINID=1767043828575#B68WKghYabIAAAGbbAT4bw/139169
Oxford Street, which is mentioned in the song, usually turns theirs on first. This year it was on November 3rd.
https://www.youneedtovisit.co.uk/christmas-lights-in-london/
Bond Street is known for the most luxurious Christmas displays, as seen here (coincidentally featuring a choir singing Coldplay):
https://youtu.be/v1PJogaIbjw?si=jXnn3kzl8S5kBZx-
These three streets (spelling ROB) make up the green properties on a standard UK Monopoly board.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_London_Monopoly_locations
(gmackematix)
2 answers
Dec 24 25 by gmackematix
3 answers
Dec 23 25 by gmackematix
How many British monarchs have abdicated?
Edward VIII was indeed a famous one, abdicating in 1936 after 325 days on the throne, choosing to marry someone that would not have been allowed by the Church of England he was meant to be the head of.
Beside Edward VIII, I found three examples from the UK:
Edward II in 1327, Richard II in 1399, and James II/VII in 1688
All were forced to abdicate under duress due to coups or an invading army.
Looking further afield, Dermot McMurrough abdicated from Leinster (a region of south-east Ireland) in 1169. And even further, there are dozens of examples of abdications in global history.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_monarchs_who_abdicated (patrickk)
3 answers
Apr 16 03 by tom
2 answers
Dec 24 25 by gmackematix
4 answers
Dec 23 25 by gmackematix
What was the origin of tinsel?
Tinsel dates back to 1610 to a place in Nuremberg, Germany, where thin strands of real silver were used to decorate trees and reflect candlelight, as they would often put real candles in their trees (fire hazard!). Silver was not cheap so the use of tinsel was a sign of wealth.
However, silver tarnishes quickly, meaning it would lose its shiny appearance. other metals were tried such as copper and tin. These metals were also cheaper, so it meant that more people could use them, but in 1914, because of WWI, all copper was used in the war effort. A substitute was needed. Aluminium was used, but this caused fire scares. Lead was used, but that was toxic.
Contemporarily, tinsel is made from polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, which is given extensive treatment to make it shiny.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/42313813 (1nn1)
1 answer
Dec 24 25 by odo5435
During the First World War, where did the first aerial bomb land on British soil?
On the morning of Christmas Eve, Dover, England, experienced the first-ever aerial bombing of Britain when a German biplane seaplane dropped a single bomb in a garden near St. James's Rectory, creating a crater and shattering windows. A gardener was also thrown out of a tree, more shocked than hurt. The target was believed to have been the Dover Castle military base.
The Germans had offered, about a week earlier, a prize for the first person to drop a bomb on the British. Up to that point, all bombs dropped had landed in the sea, however, Lieutenant Alfred von Prondzynski flying in a Friedrichshafen FF29 (carrying no armaments except for the lone bomb, amazingly, between his feet) managed to get his payload to Dover and claim the prize. The bomb was dropped by opening the window, tilting the plane, pulling the safety pin, and dropping it, hopefully hitting something important.
Interesting, this happened as the famous 'Christmas truce' was taking place on the Western Front of the war. Also, years later, the grandson of the bomber became the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland.
http://www.dover-kent.com/Dover-Society1/082/082%2028-30.pdf (LeoDaVinci)
1 answer
Dec 24 25 by pehinhota
3 answers
Dec 23 25 by gmackematix
3 answers
Dec 23 25 by gmackematix
Something unexpectedly falls on from the sky over Britain on a festive date, a festive first is broadcast from space and a film-spin off is first to win an award. Can you tell me the year that links these things, what they are and who did an out of tune recording of their most recorded song, just for the fans, in the same year?
You have the year and the first part did indeed refer to the Barwell meteor in Leicestershire. As the article points out, it was the size of a Christmas turkey and the man whose car was hit, was told by his insurance company that it was an "Act of God". He therefore angrily tried and failed to get the church to pay for his car.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barwell#Barwell_meteorite
The Gemini 6 broadcast can be heard here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemini_6A#A_Christmas_surprise
I'm guessing "A Charlie Brown Christmas" wouldn't have won any awards until the following year. No this is an object, modelled on something in a 1964 film, that was the first to win a particular award in January 1965. That answer is still up for grabs.
The Beatles, who also had their third UK Christmas number one with the double A side "Daytripper/We Can Work It Out", did indeed do an off-key version of "Yesterday" on the flexi-disc they gave to their fans.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles%27_Christmas_records#1965:_The_Beatles_Third_Christmas_Record
(gmackematix)
4 answers
Dec 23 25 by gmackematix
Something unexpectedly falls on from the sky over Britain on a festive date, a festive first is broadcast from space and a film-spin off is first to win an award. Can you tell me the year that links these things, what they are and who did an out of tune recording of their most recorded song, just for the fans, in the same year?
Everything you're referring to happened in 1965 (I think).
On December 24, 1965, the largest meteorite fall thus far in British history occurred. Fragments of the space rock shattered as they entered the atmosphere, raining down on the village. One fragment famously crashed through a car hood, while another landed in a local resident's flowerbed. It was memorable because it was Christmas Eve, as people were expecting presents to rain down from the sky instead. They may have been on the naughty list.
On December 16, 1965, during the Gemini 6A mission, astronauts Wally Schirra and Thomas Stafford played a prank on Mission Control. They claimed to see a UFO, implying that it may be Santa Claus, before playing a rendition of "Jingle Bells" on a smuggled Hohner Little Lady harmonica and a set of small bells. Thomas Stafford later flew in Apollo 10, and the command module was named "Charlie Brown"... see the next connection.
Originally aired on December 9, 1965, the "Peanuts" special "A Charlie Brown Christmas" became the first animated TV special to win both an Emmy Award (for Outstanding Children's Program) and a Peabody Award. This unprecedented success spawned many more Christmas specials that many television programs reaped money over since then.
Finally, The Beatles recorded their third annual Christmas record, which was mailed on flexi-disc to members of their fan club. On this recording, they performed an out-of-tune and comical version of "Yesterday" deliberately. This is particularly significant because "Yesterday" is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the most covered song in the history of popular music, and this added one more to their count. Does a self-cover count as a cover? (Answer - of course)
References: A whole lot of Wikipedia. Google helped too. (LeoDaVinci)
4 answers
Dec 23 25 by gmackematix
What is a Tour Card in darts, and why can you lose it simply by losing any match?
According to this site, you can't lose a Tour Card for just one loss. It looks like you lose it when your ranking is outside the top 64 at the end of the season (in January each year after the World Championship ends) and your two years have expired. [quote]The Professional Darts Corporation has 128 Tour Card Holders each year. The top 64 each year following the World Championship hold a one-year Tour Card, alongside players entering their second year of a two-year Tour Card. In addition, players from Qualifying School plus the top two players from the previous year's Challenge Tour and Development Tour Orders of Merit have a two-year Tour Card.[/quote] https://www.pdc.tv/TourCardHolders
(gtho4)
2 answers
Dec 18 25 by Thesuperyoshi
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