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Quiz about History of the Electric Chair

History of the Electric Chair Trivia Quiz

The electric chair is an American invention. Whether you support or oppose capital punishment, you can't deny that the electric chair is the subject of morbid fascination. How much do you know about it?

A multiple-choice quiz by falcon621. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
falcon621

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
131,392

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1100

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Who was the first person executed by means of electrocution? Hint

Harris Smiler

James Slocum

William Kemmler

Fred McGuire

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Question 2 of 10

2. New York was the first state to use the chair, so what was the second? Hint

Virginia

Ohio

Massachusetts

New Jersey

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Question 3 of 10

3. By what name is Florida's historic electric chair best known? Hint

Black Widow

Old Sparky

Yellow Mama

The Hot Seat

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Question 4 of 10

4. In 1946, Willie Francis went to the electric chair in Louisiana. Why didn't he die? Hint

He was already dead

Not enough volts were sent

His body had developed a tolerance for electricity

He received a pardon two seconds before he was supposed to die

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Question 5 of 10

5. What color is Alabama's electric chair? Hint

Yellow

Green

Black

Orange

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Question 6 of 10

6. Bruno Hauptmann was executed in which state's electric chair for the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh's infant son. Hint

New Jersey

Massachusetts

New York

Missouri

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Question 7 of 10

7. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg rode the lightning at New York's Sing Sing Prison in 1953 for what crime? Hint

Treason

Espionage

Train Wrecking

Kidnapping

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which of the following states never used the electric chair? Hint

South Carolina

Oklahoma

Texas

Nevada

9. Alas, the electric chair is falling out of favor. Three botched executions in Florida in the 1990s made lethal injection more favorable. In 1999, one prisoner suffered a nosebleed during his electrocution. What was his name? Hint

Jesse Tafero

Allen Lee Davis

Pedro Medina

Ted Bundy

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Question 10 of 10

10. The electric chair is still an option in some states. In Virginia, Earl Bramblett chose electrocution over lethal injection for his April 9, 2003 execution. Why? Hint

Religious beliefs

Fear of needles

To make a statement

Curiosity

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who was the first person executed by means of electrocution?

Answer: William Kemmler

After a long legal battle, New York was allowed to electrocute William Kemmler, an axe murderer, on August 6, 1890. It took two jolts.

2. New York was the first state to use the chair, so what was the second?

Answer: Ohio

After Ohio followed Massachusetts, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky.

3. By what name is Florida's historic electric chair best known?

Answer: Old Sparky

It was used for decades, so its name is definitely deserving.

4. In 1946, Willie Francis went to the electric chair in Louisiana. Why didn't he die?

Answer: Not enough volts were sent

By mistake, only one tenth of the standard voltage was sent through Francis's body. Francis, who remained awake throughout the process, later said that it felt like "cold peanut butter" in his mouth. Francis was successfully executed a year later.

5. What color is Alabama's electric chair?

Answer: Yellow

Known as the "Yellow Mama", Alabama's electric chair is still an option for condemned prisoners who would prefer not to die by lethal injection. Before lethal injection was adopted by the state in May 2003 Lynda Block was the last person to be electrocuted.

6. Bruno Hauptmann was executed in which state's electric chair for the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh's infant son.

Answer: New Jersey

This trial was one of the most controversial in American history. Hauptmann maintained his innocence to the end, which was April 3, 1936.

7. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg rode the lightning at New York's Sing Sing Prison in 1953 for what crime?

Answer: Espionage

The two were convicted of selling atomic secrets to the Soviet Union. There is controversy regarding their guilt.

8. Which of the following states never used the electric chair?

Answer: Nevada

On February 8, 1924, Nevada became the first state to use the gas chamber. The state never used an electric chair.

Answer: Allen Lee Davis

Three hundred and forty-four pound Allen Lee Davis' nose started bleeding during his execution. Photographs were posted online by order of the Florida Supreme Court, and the public outcry resulted in lethal injection being the preferred method of execution in the state.

10. The electric chair is still an option in some states. In Virginia, Earl Bramblett chose electrocution over lethal injection for his April 9, 2003 execution. Why?

Answer: To make a statement

Bramblett, who maintained his innocence, wanted to make a strong statement by dying a gruesome death. The actual execution went by without a problem.

Source: Author falcon621

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Exit10 before going online.
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