Category: Food
Question: What cylindrical food container was so prized by its inventor that he requested his ashes be interred in one?
If you’re a lover of crispy snacks, the cylindrical nature of this container should be a dead giveaway that the answer is a Pringles can. Many have tried to copy this classic shape for their own snacks, but there can only be one true king of crispy things placed in round tubes for consumption.
Category: Brands
Question: In the early 1970s, hackers discovered that the whistles found in what brand of cereal, sounded a tone that enabled them to make free long-distance calls?
If you weren’t alive in the 70’s, then this question may have you scratching your head. If you were alive in the 70’s, however, you may remember that the answer to this question is Cap’n Crunch. So not only does this tasty cereal destroy the roof of your mouth, but it gets you free long distance calls, too. Who knew.
Category: Movies
Question: What movie title character is from the fictional town of Greenbow, Alabama?
My mama said everyone has seen this movie; and if they haven’t they’ve been living under a rock. If you don’t happen to live under a rock, you might know that the answer is Forrest Gump. If you’ve seen the movie, but your brain never bothered to pick up on the town’s name, well, now you know.
Category: Technology
Question: What is the name of the IBM computer that defeated Jeopardy! champs Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter in a 2011 promotional Jeopardy! game?
You don’t have to be an avid Jeopardy! viewer to know this one. A healthy dose of fear that AI will take over the world a la I, Robot will do. Due to its fame in popular culture and the news, many people might know that the answer to this question is elementary, my dear Watson.
Category: Presidents
Question: A staunch Democrat, what former U.S. president politely declined a ride on Dumbo the Flying Elephant during a visit to Disneyland in 1957 because the elephant is a Republican symbol?
Political non-enthusiasts may struggle with this one, especially if you were born a few decades after the fact. However, using your general knowledge of our presidential timeline, you could deduce that the answer is Harry Truman. Poor Dumbo just can’t catch a break, can he?
Category: Movies
Question: To get into a snooty restaurant, what movie character poses as “Abe Froman, the sausage king of Chicago”?
Got a love for 80s movies? If so, you’ll know that the sausage king of Chicago is none other than Ferris Bueller. If your knowledge of popular 80s movies is a little less robust, then perhaps the hint of Chicago or the shenanigans of trying to get into a snooty restaurant helped you out.
Category: Video Games
Question: A New Mexico landfill became a graveyard in 1983 for all of the unsold and poorly received Atari video game adaptations of what 1982 film?
This little tidbit is just as sad and depressing as some parts of this movie. Who could do that to poor little innocent E.T. and his love for Reese’s Pieces? Maybe you are or were a gamer yourself and were around to experience this tragedy, or maybe the dates and mention of Atari were enough to phone you the answer.
Category: Characters
Question: The Fierce Vulture, the Masked Marvel, and Joe Cool are a few of the many alter egos of what cartoon character?
Although perhaps fallen slightly out of time by now, childhood fans will know that this could only be the beloved beagle, Snoopy. Despite never speaking a lick of English (he’s a dog, of course), we can’t help relating to Snoopy’s personality and nonverbal antics as if he were operating on traditional dialogue. Maybe one day, we’ll be as cool as Joe Cool.
Category: Movies
Question: What was the last film of the 20th century to win the Academy Award for Best Picture that was primarily filmed in black-and-white?
You don’t have to be a film buff to find your way to the answer for this one. If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling an article for “best movies of all time” or something similar, you may be able to dredge up the knowledge that Schindler’s List is it. If the black and white didn’t clue you in, you could also find your way to this conclusion through your love of Liam Neeson or interest in the World War II era.
Category: People
Question: Unveiled in 2013, whose statue in the National Statuary Hall of famous Americans fittingly portrays her sitting down?
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist or dedicated monument unveiling follower to figure this one out. Given that it’s a famous person specifically portrayed at sitting, it should be clear that it can be none other than Rosa Parks. We all know why she was famous for sitting and it’s not surprising that a monument was erected in her brave honor.
Although perhaps not the most “common” of questions, these are questions that most can find the answer to, whether from Sherlock-like deductions or lightning strike “a-ha”s. Not only does it make us feel good, but it’s good for brain exercise, so there’s no excuse not to do it! It’s like going to the gym for your brain, but way more fun. You don’t have to be a genius to be a Trivia champ or reap the benefits of knowing (or educatedly guessing at) random bits of information. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and conquer the Trivia world.