Category: Brain Teasers

Trivia: What New York City building was NOT once the world’s tallest?

Chrysler Building
Freedom Tower
Empire State Building
Woolworth Building

The correct answer is Freedom Tower

So why is this answer correct? : New York City has been home to several of the world’s tallest buildings, including the 791-foot-tall Woolworth Tower, which held the honor from 1913 until 1930. It was overtaken by the Chrysler Building until 1931, followed by the Empire State Building for the next four decades. The current record holder is Dubai’s Burj Khalifa at 2,717 feet tall.

Trivia: In what state can you find the oldest professional ballpark in the U.S.?

Missouri
Tennessee
Alabama
North Carolina

The correct answer is Alabama

So why is this answer correct? : On August 18, 1910, Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, opened its doors as the Birmingham Barons took on the Montgomery Climbers. At the time of its construction, the stadium became the first concrete and steel ballpark in the minor leagues, and was named after local industrialist A.H. “Rick” Woodward. Though the Barons left Rickwood Field in 1987, they return once every year to play a game dubbed the “Rickwood Classic” in honor of the city’s rich baseball history.

Trivia: Which U.S. President established the Interstate Highway System?

John F. Kennedy
Lyndon B. Johnson
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Harry S. Truman

The correct answer is Dwight D. Eisenhower

So why is this answer correct? : In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed one of the most ambitious public works projects into law, the Federal Highway Act. This feat of engineering added more than 47,000 miles of roadway across the United States, and provided both ease of travel for American citizens as well as strategic military benefits.

Trivia: Who is credited with having invented the curveball?

Grover Cleveland Alexander
Candy Cummings
Walter Johnson
Old Hoss Radbourn

The correct answer is Candy Cummings

So why is this answer correct? : In 1939, Candy Cummings was elected to the Hall of Fame not for his statistical resume — which only featured 145 wins, as he retired at the age of 28 — but for his invention of the curveball. He conceived of the idea in 1863 while throwing seashells into the ocean and making them curve in the air. Cummings found it troubling to dominate opposing batters with speed, and decided instead to spend years perfecting the curveball in order to gain an edge.

Trivia: How many time zones does the Trans-Siberian Railway span?

1
3
8
15

The correct answer is 8

So why is this answer correct? : Passing across eight time zones, 87 towns, and 16 rivers, the Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest passenger train journey in the world. The railway features three routes allowing passengers to access Russia, Mongolia, and China. It took 60,000 workers more than 25 years (from 1891 until 1916) to complete the project.

Trivia: Who was NOT a member of the inaugural Baseball Hall of Fame class?

Lou Gehrig
Ty Cobb
Christy Mathewson
Babe Ruth

The correct answer is Lou Gehrig

So why is this answer correct? : On February 2, 1936, the inaugural Baseball Hall of Fame class was announced and featured stellar hitter Ty Cobb, hard-throwing righty Walter Johnson, lefty ace Christy Mathewson, skilled shortstop Honus Wagner, and the powerful Babe Ruth. Lou Gehrig was elected three years later.

Trivia: Segovia, Spain, is home to what type of famed Roman-era structure?

Aqueduct
Pier
Temple
Arena

The correct answer is Aqueduct

So why is this answer correct? : The Segovia Aqueduct was built under the Roman emperor Trajan (98 to 117 CE) and is one of the best-preserved examples of the empire’s groundbreaking aqueduct system. This particular aqueduct is still in use and carries water from the Frío River into the city over its 10-mile span. The aqueduct was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

Trivia: What type of pitch was banned in 1920?

Forkball
Eephus
Spitball
Knuckleball

The correct answer is Spitball

So why is this answer correct? : For decades, pitchers had been using spit to alter the trajectory of a baseball, but in 1920, team owners decided to ban the pitch in an effort to increase offense. At the time of its banning, 17 spitballers were permitted to continue using the pitch until their retirement, including Red Faber, Burleigh Grimes, and Urban Shocker. Despite its ban, some pitchers continued to sneakily throw spitballs, including Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry, who was finally caught and ejected for throwing the pitch during his 21st MLB season.

Trivia: Where was the world’s first-ever lighthouse constructed?

Marseilles, France
Rome, Italy
Istanbul, Turkey
Alexandria, Egypt

The correct answer is Alexandria, Egypt

So why is this answer correct? : Also known as the Pharos of Alexandria, this ancient lighthouse was completed around 280 BCE during the reign of Pharaoh Ptolemy II. At 350 feet, it was likely the tallest human-made structure in the world at the time besides the Pyramids at Giza. Though no longer standing, it’s considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Trivia: Ron Blomberg was known as baseball’s very first what?

Pinch runner
Submarine pitcher
Team mascot
Designated hitter

The correct answer is Designated hitter

So why is this answer correct? : On January 11, 1973, the American League adopted the designated hitter rule, which permitted a completely different hitter to bat in place of the pitcher. On April 6 of that year, the New York Yankees’ Ron Blomberg stepped up to the plate and became the league’s first DH, earning a walk against Red Sox hurler Luis Tiant. The DH rule was finally adopted league-wide in the 2022 season.