Remembering the 1920s (US) Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Dry Twenties

In 1920 the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified allowing women to vote. The "Golden Twenties" was a term used in parts of Continental Europe due to the economic boom following World War I. The "Jazz Age" refers to the influx of jazz music into the mainstream populations made possible by the introduction of radio. The "Roaring Twenties" was so-named because of the freedom of the culture when folk defied Prohibition and moral standards for many were less strict.

Answer: Model A

The Model A was available in many styles such as Coupe, Convertible Cabriolet or Sedan, and Phaeton to name a few. The Ford plant actually stopped production of the Model T months before so that the factory could re-tool to produce the new car.

The Silver Ghost was a car model by Rolls Royce built between 1906 and 1926. The Model X was a Duesenberg created from 1926 to 1927. Pierce Arrow cars were sold from 1901 to 1938.

Answer: barnstormers

The barnstormers became popular in the 1920s. Many of these were pilots from World War I wanting to keep flying and earn their keep. Imagine the plane flying over a small rural town to announce their arrival. Folk would then follow the plane to watch the show and perhaps purchase rides.

Answer: Charleston

The Charleston dance, and a song of the same name written to accompany it, was included in the Broadway show "Runnin' Wild" in 1923.

The Waltz, though considered scandalous when it was introduced, was considered tame by the 1920 standards. The Tango, with its origins in Latin America gained significant popularity in the 1920s. The Foxtrot, which premiered in 1914, was originally danced to ragtime, and became one of the most popular dances in the 1930s.

Answer: Ida Rosenthal

In 1921, Ida Rosenthal and Enid Bisset opened a dress shop which was to become "Maiden Form". Some of the improvements included forming cups that supported the breasts rather than squashing them, and creating them in different sizes. Her husband, William, is credited with the invention of the standard cup sizes.

Answer: freon

Freon is a DuPont brand name, and replaced other toxic refrigerants such as ammonia and propane.

One 1920 refrigerator to gain widespread popularity was the General Electric "Monitor-Top", named for its resemblance to the USS Monitor with gun turret on top. I couldn't find out what refrigerant was used for this one.

Answer: Hugh Lofting

These stories began as letters to the author's children from trenches in World War I. Eight of the books were published in the 1920s. The story of a traveling doctor who knows how to talk to the animals is still popular today, and has been adapted to several film and television versions.

Answer: John Wayne

John Wayne was in "The Drop Kick", a movie made in 1927, but he did not gain his fame until much later in his career of over 90 movies. Rudolf Valentino was one of the most popular actors until his death in 1926. Douglas Fairbanks and Clara Bow (the "It girl" [that is, sex appeal girl]) were both popular movie stars of the 1920s.

Answer: Babe Ruth

Babe Ruth hit 54 home runs in 1920, his first year with the Yankees. During his fifteen years on their team, he was a wildly popular figure. People would gather around the radio to listen to the games when they were broadcast and the stadiums were packed with spectators.

Answer: Somewhere over the Rainbow

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was introduced as part of the movie "The Wizard of Oz" released in 1939. "Stardust" was composed by Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics by Mitchell Parrish. "Oh, Lady Be Good" and "The Man I Love" were created by George and Ira Gershwin.