Postal Workers from Planet Earth Quiz

Answer: Buffalo Bill Cody

Pony Express riders often had challenging routes. When he was 15, Cody once traveled 322 miles in just over 21 hours, stopping only to switch horses. At least, that's how the legend goes. What is true: These mail carriers had a highly dangerous work environment. They often faced bandits, oppressive weather, and the occasional Native American attack.

Answer: Ferdinand Cheval

While walking his daily 32 kilometer* route in 1879, Cheval tripped on a strange stone which inspired him to build his "Ideal Palace". He was 43 when he began work on his dream. He was 77 when the palace was finished - without any assistance, architectural training, or power tools! The Palace is now a national monument.
*32 kilometers = about 20 miles

Answer: John Prine

Prine's first public performance was at a Chicago bar called 'The Fifth Peg.' It was an open microphone night and he was dared to take the stage. When he finished playing, the owner of the bar offered him a job as part of the house band, and Prine began his career as a musician.

When his album "John Prine" debuted a year later, some hailed him as the next Bob Dylan. He went on to record several more successful albums, and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003.

Answer: Olivier Besancenot

Besancenot was 28 years old when he ran for office in 2002. At that time this made him the youngest presidential candidate in France's history.

Answer: Terry Griffiths

Griffiths became world champion at his first attempt, and in his first year as a professional! In his final competition in 1997, he lost to fellow Welshman Mark Williams. He then went on to coach Williams to victory in the 2003 World Championship.

Answer: Abraham Lincoln

His first federal position! Apparently the postmaster of New Salem did not have a busy schedule, so Lincoln had spare time for other pursuits. He worked odd jobs as a rail splitter, land surveyor, and storekeeper on slow days. He also spent a lot of time reading. Still, he was very conscientious about his route and would walk miles to deliver mail when it did arrive.

It is possible that 'Honest Abe' acquired his habit of keeping letters in his hat while working as a mailman. He served as President of the United States from 1861-1865.

Answer: Earle Ovington

Ovington flew letters from Garden City, NY to Mineola, NY in his small, one-man plane named "Dragonfly." In his younger days he worked as a lab assistant for Thomas Edison.

Answer: Stephen Smith

Rocket science started out as a hobby for Smith, but became a career when he was named Secretary of the Indian Airmail Society. He was also the first to transport livestock by rocket, and even launched a relief package containing food to a town that had suffered an earthquake.

Answer: Willie Lumpkin

No super powers required, thank you very much. The Mad Thinker first invaded the Baxter Building in 'Fantastic Four #15' (1963). One of his objectives was to plunder Reed Richard's advanced weaponry and scientific equipment for his own use. He succeeded in turning these weapons against the Fantastic Four and came close to defeating them.

However, the Mad Thinker was foiled when Lumpkin dropped by and activated Reed's circuit breaker, which rendered the Thinker's evil electronics powerless. Little known fact: Lumpkin dated Spider-Man's Aunt May for a time.

Answer: Cliff Clavin

From the TV show "Cheers." The answer was: Who are Archibald Leach, Bernard Schwartz and Lucille LeSuer. The correct question: What are the real names of Cary Grant, Tony Curtis and Joan Crawford? Cliff lost $22,000 with his response.