Question 1

What Elmer A. Sperry invented?

Accepted Answer

Invented in 1911.

Question 2

It travels over land and water. Who invented the HOVERCRAFT?

Accepted Answer

Christopher Cockerell invented the hovercraft in 1956. His early experiments with the idea involved a cat food tin, a coffee tin and an industrial blower.

Question 3

When was the toothbrush invented?

Accepted Answer

The first toothbrush was made out of a bone and small brush, by jail prisoner William Addis of England.

Question 4

What office item was invented by Bette Nesmith Graham in 1951?

Accepted Answer

Bette's other claim to fame was being the mother of Michael Nesmith of the Monkees.

Question 5

In which decade was the telephone invented?

Accepted Answer

Alexander Graham Bell's notebook entry of 10 March 1876 describes his successful experiment with the telephone. Speaking through the instrument to his assistant, Thomas A. Watson, in the next room, Bell utters these famous first words, "Mr. Watson -- come here -- I want to see you".

Question 6

In which decade was the SPICE simulator introduced?

Accepted Answer

SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis) was introduced in May 1972 by the University of Berkeley, California.

Question 7

In which decade was the telegraph invented?

Accepted Answer

On May 24, 1844, Samuel Morse send his famous message, "What hath God wrought?"

Question 8

In which decade was the first solid state integrated circuit demonstrated?

Accepted Answer

On September 12, 1958, Jack Kilby demonstrated the first working IC while working for Texas Instruments, although the U.S. patent office awarded the first patent for an integrated circuit to Robert Noyce of Fairchild.

Question 9

What treat was invented by 11-year-old Frank Epperson in 1905?

Accepted Answer

It was originally called the 'Epsicle' in his honor. (I can see why that name didn't catch on).

Question 10

This African-American woman physical therapist worked with soldiers disabled in World War II. She invented a device that helped the disabled to eat by delivering food through a tube to a mouthpiece.

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately Blount could never get anyone to buy her invention. Finally, in 1952 she sold the rights to the French government.

Question 11

What African-American inventor received 5 patents in the field of shoemaking?

Accepted Answer

Matzeliger never benefited financially from his inventions. He died in 1889 at the age of 37 from tuberculosis.

Question 12

In the 1700s, who would pay the postage fee for letters before the stamp was invented?

Accepted Answer

Later in 1840, Rowland Hill invented the stamp, which was paid for by the sender, not the receiver.

Question 13

Ralph Samuelson was only 18 when he invented this sporting item in 1922. What was that?

Accepted Answer

The new item was first used on Lake Pepin in Minnesota.

Question 14

Where were wigs first invented?

Accepted Answer

As you have noticed in pictures, many Egyptians have head coverings, sometimes with beads in them. The first wigs were created to cover the head from the hot sun.

Question 15

What toy did George Lerner create for Hasbro company in 1952?

Accepted Answer

This was a plastic potato-shaped body on which you could stick different features, such as eyes, ears, etc.

Question 16

In which decade was the Internet first implemented?

Accepted Answer

The first message ever sent over what is now called the Internet took place at 10:30PM on October 29, 1969. Back then, the Department of Defense called it ARPAnet (Advanced Research Projects Agency network).

Question 17

Who invented Jet Engine?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Hans von Ohain and Sir Frank Whittle are recognized as the co-inventors of the jet engine. Each was working separately and knew nothing of the others work. Although Whittle started first, von Ohain was first to design and develop a turbojet engine to power an aircraft. Of the many honors received by both, the most significant honor was probably "The Charles Draper Prize" in 1992 which was given to both Hans von Ohain and Sir Frank Whittle for their efforts and contributions to aviation and mankind. "The Charles Draper Prize" is recognized as the equivalent to the Nobel Prize in technology.

Question 18

In which decade was the transistor invented?

Accepted Answer

On December 23, 1947, William Shockley, Walter Brattain and John Bardeen, of Bell Labs, announced their discovery of the point-contact germanium transistor to management.

Question 19

Who invented fuel cells in 1839?

Accepted Answer

Fuel cells were invented in 1839 by Sir William Grove.

Question 20

What George Westinghouse invented?

Accepted Answer

Invented in 1868.

Inventions Questions