Thursday Brain Teaser
Pre-natal screening, genetically engineered foods, the ability to identify human remains and the testing of physical evidence ... all these extraordinary techniques owe their evolution to the groundbraking discovery depicted above, exactly 55 years ago today. Name the two Cambridge scientists, discovering the structure of the recipe for you and me.
HINT in the comment section, don't be shy!
Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Thursday Brain Teaser
"He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. After losing his leg at age 18 to osteogenic sarcoma, the young athlete decided to run from coast to coast in order to raise money for cancer research. Beginning by dipping his artificial leg in the Atlantic Ocean at St. John's, Newfoundland on April 12, 1980, he aimed to dip it again in the Pacific Ocean at Vancouver, British Columbia. His pace was daunting, running an average of 42 km a day — the distance of a typical marathon. Celebrating this amazing humanitarian, there is a cancer-awareness marathon every September around the world."
You know what to do...HINT at this week's guest in the comment section. And if you have an extra minute, come over to the SNARK, where we poke fun at eccentricity.
Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser
Friday, January 11, 2008
Thursday Brain Teaser
"As punishment for firing his father’s gun on one New Year’s Eve in New Orleans, he was sent to a boys’ home. There he learned to play the cornet and earned the nickname “Satchmo,” for his big mouth. He made many recordings as a vocalist and as a trumpeter, going on to be the international ambassador for jazz in Ghana. When he was 62, one of his recording knocked the Beatles out of the number one spot on the charts".
Who could it be? Fire away in the comment section...in the form of HINTS!
This is an easy one you guys, to make up for last week's pickle :)
Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Trivia
That's right, we are back in business. A new year has started and I wanna be orgnazied for a major portion of January. So, without further ado, allow me to present to you our weekly trivia:"A colorful figure in 20th-century Canadian radio journalism. For over 40 years he produced a daily radio series called "Let's Be Personal;" he gained a reputation for "telling it like it is" and became a familiar figure to millions of listeners. He is especially remembered for a broadcast he made praising the United States on June 5, 1973. The text of that broadcast has been widely circulated on the Internet, particularly after the air attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in September of 2001 and again in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina."
Any idea; the moise of a bell ringing in your ear? Head over to the comment section and HINT! at this week's guest. Simply throwing his name at me, won't be well received!
Happy guessing everybody and try to leave google out of it for as long as restraint has a grip on you :)
If you have an extra moment, give THE SNARK a visit where we look at resolutions in fur!
Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser
Thursday, November 29, 2007
This week's trivia...
This week's author hails from London. His name preceeds him, he is simply monumental; partly because he is credited with being one of the very first authors who wrote in the vernacular English language, rather than French or Latin which was predominantly spoken by the aristocracy at that time. Which basically means he is somewhat arcaic, so much so that we have no valuable record of when he was actually born. What we do know is that in his early 40s he finally began to write the book he is most known for. It depicts a pilgrimage by some 30 people, who are going on a spring day in April to the shrine of some martyr and entertain each other on the way by telling stories. This project turned out to be a bit ambitous 'cause he never got to finish it, death having a way of showing up when you least expect it. Which did not stop the book from being published and feverishly taught by every elderly English professor ever since. The remains of this rather black-humored poet can be found, as many other wordy Brits', in Westminster Abbey.
come on, dare to be brave...hint in the comment section and leave clues for those that are still guessing!
Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser
Friday, November 16, 2007
This Week's Trivia...
"He was born in Bethel, Connecticut. Very adept at arithmetic, but with a healthy dislike for physical work, he became a business man. Haggling, striking a hard bargain, and using deception to make a sale he quickly came to realize the secret to becoming an enterprising success. As a renowned showman he is best remembered for his amazing hoaxes and founding a circus."
The way I encountered his name was through psychology, a well-known effect in regards to horoscopes and astrology is named after him. Now, in the comment section you'll be able to hint at this week's guest and tell me why you know about him!
A lovely Friday everybody and a bit of HUMBUG here and there, makes for grand entertainment!
Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser
Friday, November 02, 2007
This week's trivia...
Born in Germany he migrated to the United States after WW2 via a paperclip. Today he is known as one of the world's first and foremost rocket engineers and a leading authority on space travel. His determination to "go where no man has gone before" led to mankind setting foot on the moon. Having the ability to composing several pieces of music and recycling old automobile parts to build a new car, doesn't stop you from flunking mathematics and physics at school. When one of his rockets, the first V2, hit London he remarked to his colleagues, "The rocket worked perfectly except for landing on the wrong planet."
Any ideas? Go hint in the comment section!
A wonderful weekend to all.
Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser
Friday, October 26, 2007
Thursday Trivia...
"Born in New York, he came to San Francisco and ran a camera shop. His financial skills got him elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1977, becoming the first acknowledged gay city official. Known as the “Mayor of Castro Street,” he helped pass the city’s first gay rights ordinance. In 1978, he and Mayor George Moscone were shot and killed by an ex-cop and fellow board member."
After last week's comic disaster, I thought this might be more of an accessible teaser for your brain. As always, refrain from too much googling and give it a minute to settle :) I'll be waiting for your hints in the comment section...what are you waiting for?!
A lovely weekend to everybody!
Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Recently added into the Comic Book Hall of Fame, he is well known for his invention of a DC Comics superheroine; a character based on his wife and a mutual "friend". Less well known is the fact that he received a Phd in Psychology from Harvard, and one of his greater contributions in that department was the creation of the systolic blood-pressure test used to detect deception.
You know what to do...off with you to the comment section and HINT away at the right answer.
Don't scratch your head too hard though. If you need to laugh about your own inability to recite pretty useless stuff, go Here! and chuckle away!
Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Tickle your Brain...
"Born in Khermanshah -in what is today Iran- in 1919, she spent her early years on a farm in Southern Rhodesia. In the 1950ies she became an established and well-known writer and to test the power of a name, she published a book in the 1980s under a pseudonym, only to see it rejected. After coming forward as the author, her book was speedily published. Being fairly outspoken about the corruption and embezzlements by the government in South Africa, she was barred entry to the country in 1956, a verdict lifted in 1995 when apartheid ended." Yes, you guessed right...now tell me something about her I don't know in the comment section...preferably in iambic pentameter!
Off you go!
Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Tickle your Brain!
"Known for his oratory talents, he was the secretary of state under three different presidents. He made a historic speech to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival at Plymouth Rock. Decades after his death, his legal skills became the subject of a short story and a film where he debated the devil to save the soul of a man."
Ok, my regulars will know to head to the comment section and HINT at this week's special guest. My irregulars will hopefully follow suit. Leave Google out of it until you really have no clue and everybody else obnoxiously offer their 27th hint about the detailed carvings of the silverware in this unbelievably well-worded man's china cabinet.
For extra Brownie Points explain the picture I chose!
Have fun with it!
Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser
Thursday, September 27, 2007
I know I am late...it's still Thursday though!
"In 1949 he moved to Nashville, where he became a regular at the Grand Ole Opry. A dependence on pills and alcohol led to his death, at the age of 29, while he was on his way to perform. He was named after Hiram I of Tyre, but his name was misspelled as "Hiriam" on his birth certificate.His songs have been rerecorded by various artists and still act as an influential part of music today, having been covered in a range of pop, gospel, blues and rock styles. His son and grandson are both musicians."
You know what to do! For those of you with a memory span similar to mine: off to the comment section with you and HINT! at this week's special guest. Isn't he just a big piece of eye-candy?
Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Tickle your brain...
"After dancing the Charleston to win a dance contest, she got a part in the chorus line of a Broadway play. While performing, she was spotted by a talent scout and taken to Hollywood where she acted in silent and sound films. The final, of her numerous husbands, was the chairman of Pepsi-Cola, and she continued to serve on the board after his death. Even though she won an Oscar in 1945, for playing a loving mother, her real-life parenting skills are reported to be very different."
Any ideas? If you do, try hinting at it in the comment section. I said HINT!
addendum: I am going to a cabin up somewhere in the wilderness until tomorrow evening. I won't be able to visit blogs within the next 20 minutes, but I promise I'll catch up on the weekend :)Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser
Thursday, September 13, 2007
It's Thursday...
Born in 1916 in Wales to Norwegian parents, he was named after a Norwegian polar explorer. Fighting in WW2 as a pilot, he got injured and momentarily lost his sight. In hospital he fell in love with his nurse, Mary. After regaining his sight, he fell quickly out of love and rejoined the war. Later in life he married an Academy Award winning American actress and had five children. While at school in Britain the chocolate company CADBURY used to send choclate for testing to pupils in his school, something that would later have an impact on one of his books.
yes...and the light bulb switched itself on, didn't it?! Now off with you to the comment section and hint away at this week's imaginative guest. You are free to use limericks, hints, jokes, little drawings or quotes to bring your point across.
Have scrumptulicious fun!
Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Thursday Trivia
"He is one of the best known American pyschologists. His major contribution to the field is probably in the area of operant conditioning. A man of strong opinions, he aroused strong passions in both his supporters and his detractors, especially when he announced that "free will" is an illusion and therefore has often been portrayed as cold-blooded. Interestingly enough, in his youth he used to swim in Thoreau's Walden Pond and if I am not utterly mistaken, a character in The Simpsons is named after him."
Ok, you know what to do. Get involved and leave a hint about today's special guest in the comment section. Guess away!
Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Thursday Brain Teaser
"Born in 1879, she was initially a nurse for the underprivileged in New York's Lower East Side. When she began to realize the dramatic effects of unplanned pregnancies in these destitute conditions, she left her nursing work in order to promote the use of birth control and give women everywhere the ability to make their own reproductive decisions.Though battled from the beginning, her work finally paid off with the formation of the World Population Conference in 1927 in which the effects of overpopulating were discussed with experts from around the globe. She later formed the Planned Parenthood Federation in 1942, which still stands today to educate women about their reproductive health and choices for family planning."
You know the drill; off to the comment section with you. Leave a hint, limerick or otherwise charming comment to show me you know the answer and leave others guessing at the same time.
Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser
Friday, August 24, 2007
happy belated trivia...
Such a cute rock formation. Elephants are way cool! Riding on the huge trunk...What?...oh, that's what you see?! Well, I am not here to "rorschach" you!
And if you can't let it go...sling along to The Snark, where we are being inappropriate along similar shapely lines.
on with the trivia:
"An Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist, he is the co-founder of
Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Thursday Trivia
"He was the first person to fly, non-stop, across the Untied States, the first American to orbit the planet, and the first Senator of Ohio to be elected for four terms. Besides working as a consultant for NASA and as a business executive, he made a much talked about launch in 1998. He was portrayed by actor Ed Harris in a movie and guest-starred in Frasier."
addendum: Congratualtions to Puppytoes and Joel for making it 22 years in their marriage and last time I saw them, they didn't look like on the verge of quitting that habit any time soon. I love you guys!
Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser
Friday, August 10, 2007
TRIVIA...
"Born in 1824 in Leitomischl, Bohemia (then Austrian Empire); he became a composer of operas and symphonic poems. His father, an amateur violinist, introduced him to music. He would later on study the piano under a professional teacher. Most famous for his collection of six symphonic poems that was written between 1874 to 1879, it is amazing to know he was already totally deaf by that time. In his later life he sufferred from mental problems and entered an asylum where he died in 1884."This one might be a bit difficult...if you have no clue...you could always play with your thumbs, leave a quick hello in the comment section or go wikipediotic!
Enjoy!
This one goes out to Raymond...who smilingly checked in my luggage at JFK without ever mentioning the 15 extra kilos I schlepped on board. Thanks, man! It was great to see you again, a bit of a surprise and this one is for you ... because of all those wonderful evenings in Reykjavik when your fingers stroked the keys of your piano and made our ears tingle with pleasure.
Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser
Thursday, July 26, 2007
It's Thor's day...
so I better get going with that trivia of mine, before a thunderbolt will struck me out of nowhere. In all seriousness, I think Gods like atheists: just so they have something to aim at!
anywho:
"Before beginning his musical career, he was an army veteran. During his life he played with Little Richard and the Isley Brothers before forming his own trio. At their American debut at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, he set his guitar on fire. At the age of 27 he died, leaving behind a musical legacy and a memorable rendition of the American national anthem."
You know the drill, off to the comment section with you and hint away at this week's amazing guest!
*looks expectantly at the sky*
anywho:
"Before beginning his musical career, he was an army veteran. During his life he played with Little Richard and the Isley Brothers before forming his own trio. At their American debut at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, he set his guitar on fire. At the age of 27 he died, leaving behind a musical legacy and a memorable rendition of the American national anthem."
You know the drill, off to the comment section with you and hint away at this week's amazing guest!
*looks expectantly at the sky*
Labels: Thursday Brain Teaser