Q 01/05

Which children's toy was first sold as a cleaner for removing soot from wallpaper?

A) Silly Putty

B) Play-Doh

C) Plasticine

D) Floam

Answer · why

B) Play-Doh

Play-Doh: as the story goes, a preschool teacher's pupils loved modeling with the cleaner, so its maker reworked it and sold it as a toy.

Q 02/05

How much was design student Carolyn Davidson paid in 1971 for creating the Nike Swoosh?

A) $35

B) $350

C) $3,500

D) $35,000

Answer · why

A) $35

$35: Knight told her he didn't love the design but it would grow on him, and years later he gave Davidson a diamond Swoosh ring and Nike stock.

Q 03/05

Which 3M product grew from a low-tack glue nobody wanted, until a colleague used it on hymnal bookmarks?

A) Scotch tape

B) Post-it Notes

C) Masking tape

D) Command Strips

Answer · why

B) Post-it Notes

Post-it Notes: Spencer Silver was trying to make a super-strong adhesive in 1968, and Art Fry's slipping choir bookmarks finally gave his weak glue a ...

Q 04/05

Which spray lubricant was first used by aerospace contractor Convair to keep the Atlas missile's skin from rusting?

A) 3-IN-ONE Oil

B) Liquid Wrench

C) WD-40

D) Ballistol

Answer · why

C) WD-40

WD-40: after it proved itself on the missile, Rocket Chemical put it into aerosol cans for consumers, and it reached San Diego store shelves in 1958.

Q 05/05

When the Dassler brothers fell out, Rudolf founded a rival shoe firm that became which brand?

A) Umbro

B) Reebok

C) Fila

D) Puma

Answer · why

D) Puma

Puma: the feud split their hometown, Herzogenaurach, into 'the town of bent necks', where locals looked down at a stranger's shoes before starting a c...