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Celebrity Patents — Daily trivia Friday, April 10, 2026: questions and answers

All 10 questions with answers and explanations. Play this daily

  1. Q 01What stage illusion did Michael Jackson's patented shoes help him create?

    • AAnti-gravity lean
    • BInstant costume changes
    • CLevitating dance moves
    • DWalking on walls
    Show answer

    Anti-gravity lean

    The brine

    Michael Jackson's 1993 anti-gravity patent hooked a slot in each heel onto pegs rising from the stage, so he could do the Smooth Criminal lean live; the video had used cables.

  2. Q 02What innovative feature did Jamie Lee Curtis's patented 'Infant Garment' diaper include?

    • AA moisture-proof pocket for wipes
    • BA built-in temperature sensor
    • CAn expandable waste disposal compartment
    • DSelf-fastening adhesive strips
    Show answer

    A moisture-proof pocket for wipes

    The brine

    Jamie Lee Curtis's 1988 patent puts a moisture-proof pocket for wipes on the diaper itself, and she refused to market it until diaper makers went biodegradable.

  3. Q 03Which legendary rock guitarist patented a guitar support device?

    • AJimmy Page
    • BEddie Van Halen
    • CJimi Hendrix
    • DEric Clapton
    Show answer

    Eddie Van Halen

    The brine

    Eddie Van Halen's flip-out support attaches to the back of the guitar and turns its face upward, so he could tap the strings with both hands much like a piano.

  4. Q 04Which iconic actress co-patented a WWII frequency-hopping 'Secret Communication System' meant to guide torpedoes?

    • AKatharine Hepburn
    • BElizabeth Taylor
    • CHedy Lamarr
    • DGrace Kelly
    Show answer

    Hedy Lamarr

    The brine

    Hedy Lamarr and composer George Antheil were granted the patent in 1942; similar technology wasn't used in operational systems until 1962, and Bluetooth relies on related principles.

  5. Q 05What did Prince receive a design patent for in 1994?

    • AA voice modulator microphone
    • BA purple electric violin
    • CA custom-designed drum machine
    • DA portable electronic keyboard instrument (keytar)
    Show answer

    A portable electronic keyboard instrument (keytar)

    The brine

    Prince received a design patent in 1994 for a portable electronic keyboard instrument, commonly known as a keytar, which he dubbed the 'Purpleaxxe'.

  6. Q 06Science communicator Bill Nye holds a patent for an improvement to what type of footwear?

    • ABallet pointe shoes
    • BRunning sneakers
    • CSnow boots
    • DRollerblades
    Show answer

    Ballet pointe shoes

    The brine

    Ballet pointe shoes are the subject of Bill Nye's 2007 toe-shoe patent, granted years after The Science Guy began; it says the traditional design had barely changed in centuries.

  7. Q 07What drumming accessory did percussion enthusiast Marlon Brando patent?

    • AA silent practice pad system
    • BA drumhead tensioning device
    • CA cymbal dampening device
    • DAn automatic drumstick holder
    Show answer

    A drumhead tensioning device

    The brine

    Marlon Brando, an amateur percussion enthusiast, patented a device for tensioning drumheads in 2004, aiming to ensure uniform tension and consistent sound quality.

  8. Q 08What problem did Harry Connick Jr.'s patented orchestra display system address?

    • APreventing instrument feedback
    • BDigitally synchronizing sheet music
    • CAutomating instrument tuning
    • DCreating virtual reality orchestral performances
    Show answer

    Digitally synchronizing sheet music

    The brine

    Harry Connick Jr.'s 2002 patent covers digitally synchronizing sheet music: a conductor's changes go to every player's screen, an idea reportedly born when wind blew his band's music away.

  9. Q 09Which practical item did author Mark Twain patent?

    • AAn automated bookmark
    • BAn adjustable reading lamp
    • CA portable writing desk
    • DA self-pasting scrapbook
    Show answer

    A self-pasting scrapbook

    The brine

    Mark Twain, born Samuel Clemens, patented a self-pasting scrapbook in 1873. His invention featured pre-gummed pages, eliminating the need for separate adhesive and simplifying the scrapbooking process.

  10. Q 10Which Marx Brother, known more for business than comedy, patented a pulse-rate monitor?

    • AGroucho Marx
    • BChico Marx
    • CZeppo Marx
    • DHarpo Marx
    Show answer

    Zeppo Marx

    The brine

    Zeppo Marx co-invented the monitor with Albert D. Herman to sound an alarm when a cardiac patient's pulse ran too high or too low; after leaving the act, he also owned a manufacturing firm, Marman Products.

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