January 3, 2008 -- Drinking Straw Trivia

Happy New Year to everyone on the Net. Today is the 3rd day of the year and the first Net of 2008 (or MMVIII in Roman Numerals...).

o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

Today we say Happy Birthday to the drinking straw!


Well, not really, but kind of...

Drinking straws have been around for a long time. The first straws were made by the Sumerian's, and were used for drinking beer (as to avoid the solid byproducts of fermentation). The earliest drinking straws were hollow stems of grass, literally made of straw.

But on this date in history, January 3rd, Marvin C. Stone patented the modern drinking straw.

TRIVIA QUESTION:

In what year did Stone patent the drinking straw?


TRIVIA ANSWER:

1888.

Early paper straws had a narrow bore similar to that of the grass stems then in common use. It was common to use two of them, to reduce the effort needed to take each sip. Modern plastic straws are made with a larger bore, so only one is needed for comfortable drinking.

In the United States, most straws are plastic. Ted's Montana Grill claims to have "re-invented the paper straw" (not produced in the United States since 1970) as part of its effort to be an environmentally-friendly restaurant.

>>>>>>>> NET CHECK IN's <<<<<<<<

Congratulations to all who got the answer to tonight's Trivia Question and a hearty thank you to everyone for playing along.

Here is the list of stations that checked in to tonight's net along with their answers:


* WB6A - Pat - 1940
* AC6AJ - Lee - 1878
* WB6ATV - Ron - 1919
* KE6CZH - Robert - 1800
* KG6DBL - Bill - 1903
* W6DTS - Ted - 1888
* K6FCC - Khalil - 1888
* KB6IS - Madeline - 1883
* N6KAS - Andy - 1894
* KG6KTC - Leon - 1887
* NY6L - Jay - 1924
* K6LMN - Roger - 1890
* KE6MSS - Thomas - 1869
* N6NGU - Leigh - 1886
* KD6NIW - Oliver - 1884
* W6NVY - Gary - 1886
* KG6NWJ - Barry - 1860
* KD6OBM - Jason - 1875
* KF6PIH - Scott - 1895
* K6QVZ - Joe - 1883
* KG6RDA - Sidney - 1890
* AD6UP - Louie - 1886
* KF6YBM - Henry - 1870
* KF6ZQM - Harry - 1890
* N6ZZK - Theo - 1935
* KF6MKN - Brad - 1806
* W6ELL - Jim - 1890

73. de N6CIZ.

December 27, 2007 - New Year Trivia

January 1st and the start of a new year is just five days away.

Believe it or not, it took quite a long time before the adoption of the 1st of January as the start of the year became widespread.


For example, in Great Britain and the British colonies, January 1st was not adopted as the start of the new year until 1752.


TRIVIA QUESTION:

Before they adopted January 1st as the start of the new year, what date was "New Year's Day" in England?


TRIVIA ANSWER:

March 25th.

In England, March 25, also known as "Lady Day" (for the Feast of the Annunciation in the Christian calendar) was New Year's Day up to 1752 when, following the move from the Julian Calendar to the Gregorian Calendar, January 1st became the start of the year.

The logic of using Lady Day as the start of the year is that it reckons years A.D. from the moment of the Incarnation, which is considered to take place at the moment of the conception of Jesus at the Annunciation rather than at the moment of his birth at Christmas.

>>>>>>>> NET CHECK IN's <<<<<<<<

Congratulations to all who got the answer to tonight's Trivia Question and a hearty thank you to everyone for playing along. Here is the list of stations that checked in to tonight's net along with their answers:


* WB6A - Pat - October 1
* KE6CZH - Robert - July 1
* KG6DBL - Bill - April 6
* W6DTS - Ted - December 25
* K6FCC - Khalil - March 21
* KD6JEV - John - March 1
* N6KAS - Andy - June 1
* KG6KTC - Leon - April 1
* NY6L - Jay - January 5
* K6LMN - Roger - March 1
* KE6MSS - Thomas - July 1
* KD6NIW - Oliver - May 1
* W6NVY - Gary - December 32 (!)
* KG6NWJ - Barry - January 6
* KG6RDA - Sidney - Rosh Hashanah
* AD6UP - Louie - September 2
* KF6YBM - Henry - July 1
* KF6ZQM - Harry - Rosh Hashanah
* N6ZZK - Theo - November 18
* KF6MKN - Brad - March 21
* KB6KMU - Juan - No Answer
* KE6LUI - May 1

Thanks to all for your support throughout the year! Happy New Year!

de N6CIZ

December 20, 2007 -- Christmas Tree Trivia

Franklin Pierce was the first president to introduce the Christmas tree to the White House in 1856 for a group of Washington Sunday School children.

TRIVIA QUESTION:

Which president banned Christmas trees from the White House?


TRIVIA ANSWER:

In 1901, Theodore Roosevelt decided to set an environmental example for the nation and voiced his concern along with other naturalists and conservationists who were urging Americans to forgo the Christmas tree tradition.

This self-imposed ban failed when Roosevelt found one of his sons smuggled a tree into his bedroom closet. The defied Roosevelt sent his errant son to Gifford Pinchot, new head of the National Forest Service, for a lecture regarding his wayward behavior.

Fortunately, Pinchot did not defend Roosevelt's position. Instead, Pinchot explained that fire, not the cutting of Christmas trees, posed the worst threat to our national forests. He explained proper cutting actually could be beneficial to forest lands. Christmas trees were allowed back in the White House.

Today, Christmas trees are grown much like any other agricultural crop. In fact, about 112,000 acres in the Northwest are planted with about 11 million trees.

These trees are shipped across the United States and overseas to China, Japan, Hong Kong, Mexico, Guam, Puerto Rico and Samoa.

The Northwest is the largest growing area in the nation and is the world's largest producer of Douglas firs.

Enjoy your Christmas tree. It has a long and rich tradition. Happy holidays.


>>>>>>>> NET CHECK IN's <<<<<<<<

Congratulations to all who got the answer to tonight's Trivia Question and a hearty thank you to everyone for playing along. Here is the list of stations that checked in to tonight's net along with their answers:


* WB6A - Pat - No Answer
* AC6AJ - Lee - Dwight D. Eisenhower
* KE6CZH - Robert - Harry S. Truman
* KG6DBL - Bill - Hillary Clinton (!)
* W6DTS - Ted - Theodore Roosevelt
* K6FCC - Khalil - Franklin D. Roosevelt
* KF6GKR - Terry - No Answer
* N6HY - Ernie - Franklin D. Roosevelt
* KD6JEV - John - Theodore Roosevelt
* N6KAS - Andy - William McKinley
* KG6KTC - Leon - Herbert Hoover
* NY6L - Jay - Lyndon B. Johnson
* K6LMN - Roger - Franklin D. Roosevelt
* KE6MSS - Thomas - Herbert Hoover
* N6NGU - Leigh - Herbert Hoover
* W6NVY - Gary - Franklin D. Roosevelt
* KD6OBM - Jason - Harry S. Truman
* KF6PIH - Scott - Lyndon B. Johnson
* K6QVZ - Joe - Lyndon B. Johnson
* KG6RDA - Sidney - Checked in by N6ZZK
* AD6UP - Louie - Theodore Roosevelt
* KF6YBM - Henry - Franklin D. Roosevelt
* KF6ZQM - Harry - Checked in by N6ZZK
* N6ZZK - Theo - Franklin D. Roosevelt
* KG6MQE - Jim - Lyndon B. Johnson
* KF6MKN - Brad - Franklin D. Roosevelt
* W6ELL - Jim - Herbert Hoover
* KI6LDI - Ken - Harry S. Truman

I wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season. Merry Christmas to all!

de N6CIZ

December 13, 2007 -- 12 Days of Christmas Trivia

You remember the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" with it's 12 Drummers Drumming, eleven Pipers piping, 10 Lords a leaping, all the way down to two Turtle Doves and a Partridge in a pear tree.

TRIVIA QUESTION:

Well, if you went out today to buy your true love all of the items mentioned in the song, how much would it cost?

TRIVIA ANSWER:

$19,507

According to the 23rd annual PNC Wealth Management Christmas Price Index survey, the cost of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is $19,507 in 2007, a 3.1 percent increase over last year.


True Loves will have to pay a bit more for the five Gold Rings this year, as the jewelers who provide the prices for the rings report having no choice but to pass increased prices along to consumers as the price of gold continues to rise.

The price of five gold rings now totals $395, a 21.5 percent increase over 2006 prices, but still nowhere close to 1989 prices, when the five Gold Rings hit an all-time high of $750.


As the only unskilled laborers in the Christmas Price Index, the eight Maids-a-Milking make minimum wage, and have not had a raise since 1997. This year, Congress increased their wages by 13.6 percent; bringing the cost of eight Maids-a-Milking for one hour of work to $46.80. The True Love will have to reach deeper into his pockets for the milkmaids in 2008 and 2009, as well - Congress has already approved continued increases to the minimum wage for the next two years.

The cost of most performers in the index - the Drummers Drumming, Pipers Piping and Lords-a-Leaping - rose a modest 3 to 4 percent, due primarily to an increase in the performers’ compensation, reflecting the current labor market in which the unemployment rate is still below 5 percent. Only the price for the Ladies Dancing was unchanged this year, according to Philadanco, a modern dance company in Philadelphia.

Among the feathered friends in the Christmas Price Index, the most notable increase was a 20 percent change in the price for six Geese-a-Laying, provided by the National Aviary.

Most of the other bird prices in the index remained even with last year’s rates, thanks to steady supply and demand for Partridges, Turtle Doves, French Hens and Swans. Aside from the Geese-a-Laying, only the Calling Birds will cost more in 2007. PNC prices the Calling Birds from a national pet store chain, and prices for Calling Birds (or canaries) were up 25 percent this year, thanks to higher demand and increased shipping costs for retailers.

For more, visit:
http://www.pncchristmaspriceindex.com/index.htm

>>>>>>>> NET CHECK IN's <<<<<<<<

Congratulations to KE6MSS who was closest to the answer to tonight's Trivia Question and a hearty thank you to everyone for playing along. Here is the list of stations that checked in to tonight's net along with their answers:

* WB6A - Pat - $5,000
* AC6AJ - Lee - $7,527.62
* KE6CZH - Robert - $2,500
* KG6DBL - Bill - $7,777.77
* W6DTS - Ted - $18,388.88
* K6FCC - Khalil - $19,602.55
* N6HY - Ernie - $10,000
* KB6IS - Madeline - $4,900
* KD6JEV - John - $3,100
* KG6KTC - Leon - $25,00
* NY6L - Jay - $12,500
* K6LMN - Roger - $12,000
* KE6MSS - Thomas - $19,000
* N6NGU - Leigh - $20,000
* KD6NIW - Oliver - $8,955
* W6NVY - Gary - $8,888
* KG6NWJ - Barry - $250,000
* KF6PIH - Scott - $3,500
* K6QVZ - Joe - $8,000
* KG6RDA - Sidney - Checked in by ZQM
* KG6TRR - Bob - $17,000
* AD6UP - Louie - $18,920
* KF6YBM - Henry - $0 (Let the government pay for it!)
* KF6ZQM - Harry - $93,000
* N6ZZK - Theo - $6,543.21
* WA6QAG - Max - $20,000

December 6, 2007 -- Encyclopedia Trivia

On this date in history... the first edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, the oldest English-language encyclopedia still in print, was published.

TRIVIA QUESTION:

In what year was the Encyclopedia Britannica first published?


TRIVIA ANSWER:

1768.

The Britannica has been issued in 15 official editions, with multi-volume supplements to the 3rd and 5th editions. The 15th edition underwent a massive re-organization in 1985, but the updated, current version is still known as the 15th edition.

Throughout its history, the Britannica has been devoted to two aims: to be an excellent reference book and to provide educational material for those who wish to study. In 1974, the 15th edition adopted a third goal: to systematize all of human knowledge.

Here is the Title Page from the first edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica:

>>>>>>>> NET CHECK IN's <<<<<<<<

Congratulations to all who got the answer to tonight's Trivia Question and a hearty thank you to everyone for playing along. Here is the list of stations that checked in to tonight's net along with their answers:


* WB6A - Pat - 1920
* AC6AJ - Lee - 1807
* KE6CZH - Robert - 1800
* KG6DBL - Bill - 1800
* W6DTS - Ted - 1770
* K6FCC - Khalil - 1912
* N6HY - Ernie - 1803
* KB6IS - Madeline - 1841
* KD6JEV - John - Late Check In
* N6KAS - Andy - 1813
* KG6KTC - Leon - 1800
* NY6L - Jay - 1768
* K6LMN - Roger - 1890
* KE6MSS - Thomas - 1820
* N6NGU - Leigh - 1850
* KD6NIW - Oliver - 1770
* W6NVY - Gary - 1842
* KG6NWJ - Barry - 1885
* KD6OBM - Jason - 1805
* K6QVZ - Joe - 1875
* KG6RDA - Sidney - 1768
* KG6TRR - Bob - 1783
* AD6UP - Louie - 1874
* WA6USL - Murray - 1776
* KF6YBM - Henry - 1785
* KF6ZQM - Harry - Checked in by KG6RDA
* KI6LDI - Ken - 1785
* KI6KFF - Susan - Late Check In
* KC6ZUT - Max - Late Check In

Starting next week: 2 weeks of Christmas Trivia.

73's de N6CIZ.

November 27, 2007 -- State Fair Food Trivia

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Day last week. There was no net because of the holiday. Here's the Trivia Question for tonight's net:

TRIVIA QUESTION:

What popular food item was supposedly created by Neil Fletcher in 1942 for the Texas State Fair?

TRIVIA ANSWER:

The Corn Dog.

More trivia:

In Japan, Corn Dogs are called American Dogs.

The first Saturday of March is National Corn Dog Day.

>>>>>>>> NET CHECK IN's <<<<<<<<

Congratulations to all who got the answer to tonight's Trivia Question and a hearty thank you to everyone for playing along. Here is the list of stations that checked in to tonight's net along with their answers:

* WB6A - Pat - Baby Back Ribs
* AC6AJ - Lee - Corn Dog
* KE6CZH - Robert - Cotton Candy
* KG6DBL - Bill - Snow Cone
* K6FCC - Khalil - Corn Dog
* N6HY - Ernie - Eskimo Pie
* KB6IS - Madeline - Candy Apple
* KD6JEV - John - No Idea
* N6KAS - Andy - Hot Dog on a Stick
* KG6KTC - Leon - Snow Cone
* NY6L - Jay - Chili
* N6NGU - Leigh - Hamburger
* W6NVY - Gary - Cotton Candy
* KD6OBM - Jason - Corn Dog
* KF6PIH - Scott - Corn Dog
* K6QVZ - Joe - Chili Dog
* KG6RDA - Sidney - Checked in by KF6ZQM
* KG6TRR - Bob - Fried Twinkies
* AD6UP - Louie - Corn Dog
* WA6USL - Murray - Ice Cream Sandwich
* KF6YBM - Henry - Chili Dog
* KF6ZQM - Harry - Corn Dog
* N6ZZK - Theo - Candy Cane
* KD6EDS - Bob - Carmel Corn
* KI6NGO - Mike - Corn Dog

November 15, 2007 -- Earthquake Trivia

On Wednesday a Magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit Northern Chile and was felt as far away as Sao Paulo, Brazil, some 1400 miles to the east.

• Crushed cars are seen under a roof that collapsed after an earthquake in Antofagasta, northwest of Santiago, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007. A major earthquake crushed cars, damaged hundreds of houses and terrified people for hundreds of miles around Wednesday. Authorities reported at least two deaths and more than 100 injuries. (AP Photo)
  

Earthquakes are pretty common in California and are something we should all prepare for.

TRIVIA QUESTION:

In what year did the earliest reported earthquake in California occur?

TRIVIA ANSWER:

The earliest reported earthquake in California was felt in 1769 by the exploring expedition of Gaspar de Portola while the group was camping about 30 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

>>>>>>>> NET CHECK IN's <<<<<<<<

Congratulations to all who got the answer to tonight's Trivia Question and a hearty thank you to everyone for playing along. Here is the list of stations that checked in to tonight's net along with their answers:

* WB6A - Pat - 1930
* AC6AJ - Lee - 1851
* WB6ATV - Ron - 1783
* KE6CZH - Robert - 1920
* KG6DBL - Bill - 1479
* K6FCC - Khalil - 1770
* KF6GKR - Terry - 1906
* KB6IS - Madeline - 1790
* KD6JEV - John - 1873
* N6KAS - Andy - 1813
* KG6KTC - Leon - 1780
* NY6L - Jay - 1906
* K6LMN - Roger - 1849
* KE6MSS - Thomas - 1769
* N6NGU - Leigh - 1865
* W6NVY - Gary - 1780
* KD6OBM - Jason - 1787
* KF6PIH - Scott - 1650
* K6QVZ - Joe - 1780
* KG6RDA - Sidney - 1902
* AD6UP - Louie - 1850
* KF6YBM - Henry - 1846
* KF6ZQM - Harry - Checked in by Sidney, KG6RDA
* N6ZZK - Theo - 1500
* W6REH - Roy - 1550
* K6SMO - Paul - 1770
* N6MDZ - Mike - 1720
* KF6MKN - Francis - 1856
* AC6LC - Don - 1790
* KC6ZUT - Max - 1850
* KG6YEB - Everett - 1780

There will be no net next week since that is Thanksgiving Day. Happy Turkey Day! We'll see ya all on Thursday, November 29th for the next net.

73 de N6CIZ