Some Totally Random Useless bits of Knowledge Quiz

Answer: Sewing Machine

The Dictaphone, Electric Bulb and yes, even a Tattoo Gun were invented by Edison.

The invention of the Sewing Machine causes some debate, due to squabbling over machines that worked versus ideas/patents that did not. The invention of the 'first functional' machine is generally credited to French tailor Barthelemy Thimonnier, in 1830.

According to www.inventors.about.com: "Thimonnier's machine used only one thread and a hooked needle that made the same chain stitch used with embroidery. The inventor was almost killed by an enraged group of French tailors who burnt down his garment factory because they feared unemployment as a result of his new invention".

Answer: 1605

This failed episode (Fawkes was captured) spawned the concept of Bonfire Night, where fireworks are let off and in some cases, an effigy of Guy Fawkes in burned on a bonfire. A children's ryhme regarding the events of that day states :

"Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot"

Answer: A heroine in the "Sailor Moon" series

The heroine in the "Sailor Moon" series was in fact, Venus!

According to www.en.wikpedia.org: "Minako Aino is a fictional character from the Japanese entertainment series Sailor Moon. Minako is a senshi known as Sailor Venus, but the character uses the name Sailor V for a period. The title 'soldier of love' is often used to refer to her, mostly in her own self introductions".

Pluto used to enjoy the status of planet until the International Astronomical Union decided to demote it to the status of "dwarf planet" in August 2006.

Answer: He was booked during the half time break

English referee Jack Taylor booked Cruyff for dissent during the half time break as the teams were leaving the field. For the record, West Germany defeated Holland 2-1 at the Olympic Stadium in Munich.

Answer: Adelaide and Melbourne

Adelaide's service is extremely limited - with it's only regular tram service between the city and the palendromic outer suburb of Glenelg. Melbourne was the only Australian city with enough foresight to retain trams, whilst the others that had trams abandoned them in the 60s in favour of large fleets of diesel buses.

The rising price of oil coupled with the comparitively cheaper electricity in the 70s soon had many city councils realising what the public had known all along, that the tram's demise was a foolish and short-sighted move.

Answer: A New Zealand Prime Minister

Sir Robert David Muldoon KCMG CH served as Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984. Born in 1921, he died on 5 August 1992.

According to www.wikipedia.org: "Muldoon remains one of the most complex, fascinating, and polarising figures in New Zealand history. He divides people into camps of those who love him and those who hate him; very few people, except those born after his fall, are neutral.

To his enemies, "Piggy" Muldoon was a dictatorial Prime Minister who nearly destroyed both New Zealand's economy and New Zealand society through his arrogance. To those who revered him, known as "Rob's Mob", he was an icon of the New Zealand national character, a supporter of the "ordinary bloke" (his own description of himself) and an international statesman.

Most historians recognise him as brilliant-talented-without being great, because the line of policy he ultimately pursued was not sustainable. Muldoon famously declared upon becoming Prime Minister that he hoped to leave New Zealand "no worse off than I found it."

Answer: Paradise

Meatloaf sung "Paradise By The Dashboard Light". Phil Collins had a hit with "Another Day In Paradise" and Amen Corner recorded "If Paradise Is Half As Nice". Jimmy Buffett charted with the amusingly titled "Cheeseburger In Paradise".

Answer: Cape Cod, Massachusetts

According to www.en.wikipedia.org: "On April 9, 1963, after the completion of this work, Thresher began post-overhaul trials. Accompanied by the submarine rescue ship USS Skylark, she transited to an area some 350 km (220 miles) east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and started deep-diving tests. As these proceeded, garbled communications were received by Skylark, indicating trouble aboard the submarine. It gradually became apparent that she had sunk.

After an extensive underwater search utilizing the bathyscaphe Trieste, oceanographic ship Mizar, and other ships, Thresher's remains were located on the sea floor, some 8,400 feet (2560 m) below the surface, in six major sections. The major sections are the sail, sonar dome, bow section, engineering spaces section, operations spaces section, and the tail section. Deep sea photography recovered artifacts and an evaluation of her design and operations permitted a Court of Inquiry to determine that she had probably sunk due to a piping failure, subsequent loss of power and inability to blow ballast tanks rapidly enough to avoid sinking before imploding with massive force".

Answer: John F Kennedy

"Ich bin ein Berliner" is a famous phrase by John F. Kennedy. On June 26, 1963 in West Berlin, he made a speech containing the sentences:

According to www.en.wikipedia.org: "Two thousand years ago the proudest boast was civis Romanus sum. Today, in the world of freedom, the proudest boast is "Ich bin ein Berliner."

"All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and, therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words "Ich bin ein Berliner!"

According to the context of the speech, Kennedy meant that he stood together with West Berliners in their struggle to maintain their freedom against Communist aggression.

Jelly doughnuts are called Berliner outside Berlin (but usually referred to as Pfannkuchen in Berlin itself). This has led some people to believe that the phrase Kennedy uttered was amusingly ambiguous ("I am a jelly doughnut"), which is, for the most part, incorrect. While the phrase could possibly be understood that way, both the context of the quotation and the fact that jelly doughnuts are not actually called "Berliner" in Berlin made this unlikely. Normally a Berliner would say "Ich komme aus Berlin" ("I come from Berlin"), but because Kennedy wanted to emphasize the common identity among people of the "world of freedom", that usage would have been misleading".

Answer: Bell Buckle

According to www.en.wikipedia.org: "Bell Buckle is a town located in Bedford County, Tennessee. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 391. The racial makeup of the town is 97.95% White, 2.05% African American.

In the town the population is spread out with 19.7% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 109.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 107.9 males. 15.6% of the population and 8.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.4% of those under the age of 18 and 18.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line".

Everything you wanted to know about Bell Buckle but were afraid to ask!