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Ballpoint Pens: Writing the Future
On this date in 1943, a patent for the ballpoint pen was awarded to Laszlo Biro. Here are some things you may not have known about the world’s most-used writing implement. Biro’s patent wasn’t the first for the concept. In 1888, John J. Loud of Massachusetts patented a pen to write on wood, leather and…
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Donald Duck: Second Billing to No One
On June 9, 1934, Donald Duck made his debut in the Disney animated short “The Wise Little Hen.” Here are some things you may not have known about Donald. First, Donald Duck has appeared in more films than any other Disney character. Donald has been in 197 films, while Mickey Mouse has been in 167.…
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Porsche: Making Cars Since 1948
On June 8, 1948, Ferdinand Porsche completed the first prototype of his namesake sports car. Here are some things you may not have known about Porsche and his cars. First: Porsche was born to German-speaking parents in Mattersdorf, Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic, in 1875. In 1898, he designed his first automobile, an…
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Muhammad Ali: 1942-2016
On Friday, former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, possibly the biggest sports star of all-time, died at the age of 74 after a decades-long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Here’s a look back at our Oct. 1, 2015 episode about his 1975 fight against Joe Frazier, the Thrilla in Manilla: (Originally broadcast on Oct. 1, 2016)…
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Mmmmm, Doughnuts
Today is National Doughnut Day. Here are some things you may not have known about the event and the confectionery itself. National Doughnut Day was created in 1938 by The Salvation Army to honor their roughly 250 members who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I. Their original plan was to provide baked goods…
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Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
Get your free 30-day trial of Audible at triviapeople.com/audible On this date in 1953, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was held. Here are some things you may not have known about it. Elizabeth became queen more than a year before the coronation upon the death of her father, George VI, on Feb. 2, 1952.…
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Scotchy Scotch Scotch: Down Into My Belly
On this date in 1495, the first first official record of the production of Scotch whisky was made. Here are some things you may not have known about Scotch. That first record was a tax document for a monk named John Cor who was the distiller at Lindores Abbey in Fife, Scotland. The record indicated…
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Alaska Pipeline: Moving Oil Since 1977
On this date in 1977, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System was completed. Here are some things you may not know about it. Oil had been used as fuel on the Arctic shore of Alaska for centuries by native people, usually using oil-soaked peat for heating and lighting. Several attempts were made to determine the feasibility of…
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Centralia Mine Fire: Burning Since 1962
On this date in 1962, a mine fire under the town of Centralia, Pennsylvania, was discovered. It continues to burn to this day. Here are a few things you may not have known about it. Centralia is located about halfway between Wilkes-Barre and Harrisburg, in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Coal Country. At its peak, the…
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Kaspar Hauser: Feral Child or Scheming Codger?
On this date in 1828, an alleged feral child named Kaspar Hauser was discovered in Nuremberg, Germany. Here are a few things you may not have known about Hauser and feral children. Feral children are those that are isolated from human contact at an early age and have little to no understanding of human behavior,…