Category: Brain Teasers

Trivia: Which electronics giant was founded in Albuquerque in 1975?

Apple
Microsoft
Blockbuster
Sony

Correct Answer: Microsoft

So why is this answer correct? : In 1975, Bill Gates and his childhood friend Paul Allen created Microsoft. Their original goal was to create software for the Altair 8800, an early personal computer. The company’s first home was Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the maker of the Altair 8800 was headquartered, but the company would grow to its tech-giant status in Washington state.

Trivia: Who was the host of “Family Feud” when it premiered in 1976?

Richard Dawson
John O’Hurley
Bob Barker
Chuck Woolery

Correct Answer: Richard Dawson

So why is this answer correct? : “Survey says… Richard Dawson!” It was “Hogan’s Heroes” actor Richard Dawson who first put the popular game show on the map. Dawson hosted “Family Feud” during its original run on ABC from 1976 to 1985, a role that earned him a Daytime Emmy Award.

Trivia: Which lucrative sci-fi series released its first film in 1977?

Logan’s Run
Star Wars
Men in Black
X-Men

Correct Answer: Star Wars

So why is this answer correct? : The first “Star Wars” movie, later retitled “Episode IV: A New Hope,” launched one of the most popular science fiction franchises ever created. The 1977 film marked what Carrie Fisher (aka Princess Leia) called “a new order of geeks,” earning over $800 million at the box office. Since the franchise’s launch, there have been nine “Star Wars” movies in the “Skywalker Saga” and numerous spin-offs in film, television, books, and more.

Trivia: What was the name of the first NASA space shuttle?

Enterprise
Challenger
Discovery
Columbia

Correct Answer: Enterprise

So why is this answer correct? : NASA announced the Enterprise in 1976, after its $10 billion, decade-long project completion. It became the first free-flying space shuttle when NASA launched it into orbit the next year. Fans of “Star Trek” were delighted with the name, a nod to the show’s iconic spacecraft.

Trivia: Who made history in 1979 as Britain’s first female Prime Minister?

Indira Gandhi
Cynthia Pratt
Margaret Thatcher
Silveria Jacobs

Correct Answer: Margaret Thatcher

So why is this answer correct? : Margaret Thatcher served 11 years as Britain’s Prime Minister, making her one of the longest-serving heads of government. She earned the nickname “The Iron Lady” for her stern and straightforward demeanor — a name she gladly accepted. Thatcher was elected for a second and third term, though she was forced to resign in 1990.

Trivia: Who did chess whiz Bobby Fischer famously defeat in 1972?

Garry Kasparov
Emanuel Lasker
Boris Spassky
Beth Harmon

Correct Answer: Boris Spassky

So why is this answer correct? : Bobby Fischer became the youngest-ever U.S. chess champion when he was just 14, and earned the title of grandmaster the next year. In 1972, the “Match of the Century” took place between Fischer and the reigning world champion at the time, Soviet player Boris Spassky. Fischer won the match with enough flair that it justified all the media attention, making him the first U.S.-born world champion.

Trivia: Which magazine featured the first Black woman on its cover in 1974?

Entertainment Weekly
Women’s Day
Vogue
People

Correct Answer: Vogue

So why is this answer correct? : When Beverly Johnson made the cover of “Vogue,” she had to contend with stylists who didn’t know what to do with her hair and prevalent, industry-wide racism. Nevertheless, in 1974, at age 21, she made history as the first Black woman to grace the cover. Since then, Johnson has appeared in several films, written two books, and was named one of 2008’s most influential people by the “New York Times.”

Trivia: Which rock band announced their break-up in 1970?

Queen
Creedence Clearwater
The Beatles
Pink Floyd

Correct Answer: The Beatles

So why is this answer correct? : By 1970, each member of the Beatles was pursuing his own project. While their popularity had not waned, Paul McCartney announced the unofficial breakup in an interview, citing personal, business, and musical differences. They released their final album as a band, “Abbey Road,” in May 1970, about a month after McCartney’s April 10 interview.

Trivia: Who broke Babe Ruth’s home run record in 1974?

Hank Aaron
Barry Bonds
Alex Rodriguez
Willie Mays

Correct Answer: Hank Aaron

So why is this answer correct? : Babe Ruth made history during his reign as the “Sultan of Swat.” The Great Bambino hit a whopping 714 home runs in his career, the running record until slugger Hank Aaron surpassed it in 1974. It’s no secret that Ruth was keen on breaking records. In 1920 alone, the iconic Babe hit a record-breaking 54 home runs. To put that into perspective, the second-place home-run hitter of that year hit 19.

Trivia: Who replaced President Nixon after his resignation in 1974?

Gerald Ford
Jimmy Carter
Ronald Reagan
Lyndon B. Johnson

Correct Answer: Gerald Ford

So why is this answer correct? : On August 9, 1974, Richard Nixon made history by becoming the first (and, to date, only) U.S. President to resign from the role, the result of his involvement in the infamous Watergate scandal. His replacement wasn’t his original second-in-command; Spiro Agnew, Nixon’s first Vice President, had resigned from his post in 1973, due to unrelated circumstances. Agnew’s successor was House Minority Leader Gerald Ford — who then went on to be Nixon’s successor as well. To date, Ford is the only person to become POTUS without winning the general election for President or Vice President.