Q 01/05

Which boy band's hit did 'Weird Al' Yankovic parody in his 2003 song 'eBay'?

A) Backstreet Boys

B) NSYNC

C) Westlife

D) New Kids on the Block

Answer · why

A) Backstreet Boys

Backstreet Boys' hit became 'eBay' on the album Poodle Hat, which lost its planned video when Eminem refused to let Yankovic film his 'Lose Yourself' ...

Q 02/05

What was eBay originally called?

A) BidNet

B) AuctionWeb

C) Echo Bay

D) OnlineAuction

Answer · why

B) AuctionWeb

It was renamed eBay in September 1997 after Omidyar's consulting firm, Echo Bay Technology Group.

Q 03/05

What was the first item ever sold on the site, for $14.83?

A) A broken laser pointer

B) A vintage lunchbox

C) A used computer keyboard

D) A used modem

Answer · why

A) A broken laser pointer

Omidyar checked whether the buyer knew it was broken; the man replied that he collected broken laser pointers.

Q 04/05

Who invented the story that eBay began so Omidyar's future wife could trade Pez dispensers?

A) A PR manager

B) A tech reporter

C) A Pez collector

D) A TV comedian

Answer · why

A) A PR manager

A PR manager made up the Pez tale in 1997 to win reporters' attention for the young company.

Q 05/05

Why did Omidyar shorten the name from Echo Bay to eBay?

A) echobay.com was already owned by a gold-mining company

B) Echo Bay was trademarked by a record label

C) The longer name did not fit on a business card

D) A survey found users preferred short names

Answer · why

A) echobay.com was already owned by a gold-mining company

Echo Bay Mines held the domain, so eBay.com it was.