Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. In 1975, this well-known comic actor was in what appears to be his first credited role in a movie. The film? What else but "It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time".
Who was the comic actor that played a clumsy policeman in a small role?
2. U.S. chemist Thomas Midgley, Jr. had a few 'good' ideas which he was praised for at the time, but later left him with the reputation of being indirectly responsible for more deaths than just about anyone else in history. Among his inventions were leaded petrol and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs - nasty things), which have proved to have had devastating effects on the environment.
Indirectly, he was responsible for his own death. How did he die?
3. It seemed like a good idea at the time, or in the immortal words of Scottish bard Robert Burns "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men Gang aft agley." From which of Rabbie's works did this quotation originate?
4. Which famous soft drink company launched Dasani, a new "pure" bottled water in the UK in 2004, and then had to admit that it was just filtered London tap water?
5. Who confessed that the use of two forwarded slashes (//) in web addresses was actually unnecessary, and that URLs could easily have been designed without them? He said, "There you go, it seemed like a good idea at the time".
6. In the late 17th century, Scotsman Sir William Paterson had a "great idea" which almost led to the bankruptcy of his country. What was the name of this ill-fated undertaking?
7. Thomas Sullivan of New York had a good idea to save money, but it had an unexpected outcome. His penny-pinching led to the accidental development of what?
8. What did Gordon Brown do, as Chancellor, between 1999 and 2002 that in hindsight was not his most prudent action?
9. In the 1970s, 20th Century Fox Film Corporation thought it was a good idea to save $20,000 by signing over all of the merchandising rights to the director of one of their blockbusters; which movie was it?
10. Breaking into a political rival's headquarters to sabotage his election campaign may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but when it all went wrong it became one of the most notorious US political scandals ever. What was it called?
11. In 1992, electrical goods manufacturing company Hoover had a "good idea", which cost it millions of pounds and brought a lot of bad publicity. In an effort to clear a stockpile of vacuum cleaners, washing machines etc., Hoover came up with a promotion that went awry. What did Hoover promise customers who spent over £100 on Hoover products?
12. Who wrote this quote?
"What is life but a series of inspired follies? The difficulty is to find them to do. Never lose a chance: it doesn't come every day."
13. This business leader made a disastrous speech at the Institute of Directors in April 1991, saying that the jewelry company's earrings were "cheaper than a Marks and Spencer prawn sandwich but probably won't last as long". What was his or her name?
14. In 1961, Decca Records were on the lookout for new talent. Two of their executives, Dick Rowe and Mike Smith, listened to what band for two hours before declining to sign them?
15. Sometimes mad ideas aren't quite as ridiculous as they sound. Three of these options are good ideas which have become genuine businesses making millions, and one is a fake. Which is the red herring?
Source: Author
BillMcC
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor
Pagiedamon before going online.
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