General Knowledge Quiz

[theageofthetra]

As there hasn't been any question set for a while I will ask this if I may.

What was odd about the motoring use of first V8 engine produced in Detroit?

 

[fowler9]

As there hasn't been any question set for a while I will ask this if I may.

What was odd about the motoring use of first V8 engine produced in Detroit?

Was it an aircraft engine that was used? Wild guess.

 

[theageofthetra]

No it was a road vehicle and the engine was built for this purpose.

 

[fowler9]

No it was a road vehicle and the engine was built for this purpose.

Not for Sherman Tanks was it? Apologies, another guess.

 

[theageofthetra]

N

Not for Sherman Tanks was it? Apologies, another guess.

No the V8 was for a much smaller vehicle

 

[fowler9]

N

No the V8 was for a much smaller vehicle

I'll stop guessing now. Actually no, was it a motorbike?

 

[theageofthetra]

I'll stop guessing now. Actually no, was it a motorbike?

Correct. Technically it was a two wheeled car- which were a bizarre product of the early part of the last century. It managed a paltry 45hp from its 6 litre engine- details attached. http://www.douglas-self.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/2wheelcar/2wheelcar.htm

 

[fowler9]

Correct. Technically it was a two wheeled car- which were a bizarre product of the early part of the last century. It managed a paltry 45hp from its 6 litre engine- details attached. http://www.douglas-self.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/2wheelcar/2wheelcar.htm

45hp! Impressively bad. Ha ha. Alright, it's late and am struggling for a question. From which arms can you buy a pint on Dale Street in Liverpool?

 

[EbbwJunction1]

It's been a while, but I think that the answer is The Vernon Arms?

If so, here are some more "One This Day" questions for you:

1. The death of which Spanish Missionary in 1552?
2. The death of which French Impressionist Painter in 1919?
3. The birth of which "Just Good Friends" actor in 1944?
4. The birth of which American actress, sometimes known as a mermaid, in 1960?
5. The disappearance of which author in 1926?
6. The first example of which life saving medical advance took place on this day in 1967?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

5: Agatha Christie.

6: Heart transplant.

Not got a clue about the others!

 

[Calthrop]

4: Darryl Hannah

 

[EbbwJunction1]

5: Agatha Christie.
6: Heart transplant.

4: Darryl Hannah

All three are correct ... well done!

 

[Calthrop]

I've found the Spanish missionary by Googling; but that's a disqualifier...

 

[EbbwJunction1]

I've found the Spanish missionary by Googling; but that's a disqualifier...

I have seen it allowed elsewhere, so go for it if you want to!

 

[krus_aragon]

I've found the Spanish missionary by Googling; but that's a disqualifier...

Nobody expects a Spanish inquisition to disqualify you :P

 

[Calthrop]

It was St. Francis Xavier -- died in India, of all places. Should it come to be between me and Peter Mugridge, he got two by honest means: precedence to him.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

No, I certainly wouldn't go that far to stop someone having a guess!

Some clues on Nos 2. and 3.:

No. 2:
He's famous, I think, for his nudes, but another painting in which everyone is clothed is 'Luncheon of the Boating Party' (1881), in which many of the subjects are real people and can be identified.

No. 3
In 1976, he embarked on a short-lived but high-profile pop career, with three Top 20 hits in the UK Singles Chart "Reggae Like It Used To Be", "Dancing with the Captain", and "Grandma's Party", the last two of which reached the Top 10.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

It was St. Francis Xavier -- died in India, of all places. Should it come to be between me and Peter Mugridge, he got two by honest means: precedence to him.

Yes, that's the chap. So, two each (although 'Advantage Mugridge'!) … any thoughts on Nos. 2 and 3, anyone?

 

[Calthrop]

No. 2:
He's famous, I think, for his nudes, but another painting in which everyone is clothed is 'Luncheon of the Boating Party' (1881), in which many of the subjects are real people and can be identified.

Per Google, I learn: Renoir. I'm no art buff -- I knew the geezer's name, but little else about him. I prefer Monet -- he did pictures of puffers, among other things !

 

[GusB]

3. The actor in Just Good Friends was Paul Nicholas (I was going to say Jan Francis before the clue was given)

 

[EbbwJunction1]

3. The actor in Just Good Friends was Paul Nicholas (I was going to say Jan Francis before the clue was given)

Yes, that's the man, well done!

Per Google, I learn: Renoir. I'm no art buff -- I knew the geezer's name, but little else about him. I prefer Monet -- he did pictures of puffers, among other things !

Another right answer - also well done!

I'm going to award the floor to Peter Mugridge for the reasons given above …. well done, and over to you, sir!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Thank you.

We turn now to the nautical world:

In which maritime institution is the Deputy Master more powerful and important than the Master?

 

[Cowley]

Thank you.

We turn now to the nautical world:

In which maritime institution is the Deputy Master more powerful and important than the Master?

Is it something odd like on a chain ferry?
This is a total guess and I await the opportunity to look silly with enthusiasm...

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Not a chain ferry.

There is a very good clue - in fact two very good clues - in the actual wording of the question.

 

[Calthrop]

Trinity House?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Trinity House?

Yes, that is correct.

The actual day to day management, direction and organisation of everything to do with Trinity House is the responsibility of the Deputy Master and this is the highest position attainable in the organisation; the current Master is Ian McNaught, formerly Master of the Queen Elizabeth 2.

The Master of Trinity House is always a Royal ( currently the Princess Royal ) and is only involved for ceremonial purposes.


Your deck, Calthrop.

 

[Calthrop]

Thank 'ee, Cap'n !

There is a comic novel by a prolific British author (b. 1895, d. 1985) of usually more serious material: said novel concerns shady goings-on in the world of stamp-collecting, and its title includes the name of a Western Hemisphere island which is a constituent part of a nation of the Commonwealth.

Author's name, and novel's title, please.

 

[Calthrop]

Hint: this author is probably most renowned, for a couple of historical novels about a particular period in the history of ancient Rome.

 

[krus_aragon]

Are you hinting at Robert Harris? I don't know of anything he's written about stamp collecting. EDIT: no, you can't be, given the dates quoted.

As an aside, for all you stamp collectors, I recall Michael Flanders describing how to arrange them: "English stamps in sets at the beginning of the album, and foreign stamps all mixed at the other end. Any Gibbon could tell you that.”

 

[Calthrop]

Are you hinting at Robert Harris? I don't know of anything he's written about stamp collecting. EDIT: no, you can't be, given the dates quoted.

(My bolding): you've got the Christian name right, though not the surname. (Robert Harris is not an author I know.)

(Further post deleted)