Q 01/05

Which toy company holds the Guinness World Record for producing the most tires each year?

A) Mattel

B) Lego

C) Hasbro

D) Tonka

Answer · why

B) Lego

Lego produced over 318 million toy tires in 2011, more than any car-tire maker manages by count.

Q 02/05

John Boyd Dunlop, the Scot who made the first practical air-filled tire, earned his living in which profession?

A) Veterinary surgeon

B) Locomotive engineer

C) Clockmaker

D) Schoolmaster

Answer · why

A) Veterinary surgeon

Veterinary surgeon John Boyd Dunlop ran one of Ireland's largest animal practices in Belfast when he turned to tires. He retired from it in 1892 as hi...

Q 03/05

The 80-foot Uniroyal Giant Tire beside a Michigan highway began as which ride at the 1964 New York World's Fair?

A) Carousel

B) Roller coaster

C) Ferris wheel

D) Log flume

Answer · why

C) Ferris wheel

The Ferris wheel was dismantled after the fair, hauled to Michigan on 22 trucks and rebuilt without its gondolas beside Interstate 94.

Q 04/05

Which powder, mixed into tire rubber as a reinforcing filler, gives modern tires their dark colour?

A) Graphite dust

B) Coal tar pitch

C) Bone char

D) Carbon black

Answer · why

D) Carbon black

Carbon black also carries heat away from the tread and belts, and about 70% of the world's supply goes into tires.

Q 05/05

In the American penny test for worn tire tread, which president's head should stay partly hidden in the groove?

A) George Washington

B) Abraham Lincoln

C) Thomas Jefferson

D) Franklin Roosevelt

Answer · why

B) Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln goes in upside down: if the top of his head shows, the tread is down to about 2/32 of an inch and the tire needs replacing.