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Roller Coasters: Going for a Ride Since 1884
On this date in 1884, the first purpose-built roller coaster opened on New York’s Coney Island. Here are some things you may not have known about that first roller coaster and those that have followed it. The origins of roller coasters can be traced to attractions called Russian mountains, which were hills of ice with…
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Blood Transfusions: Saving Lives One Pint at a Time
On this date in 1667, the first blood transfusion into a human took place. Here are some things you may not have known about the procedure. The 1667 transfusion was performed by French physician Jean-Baptiste Denys. He transferred blood from a sheep into a 15-year-old boy. Later he also did the same procedure on an…
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Ballpoint Pens: Writing the Future
On this date in 1943, a patent for the ballpoint pen was awarded to Laszlo Biro. Here are some things you may not have known about the world’s most-used writing implement. Biro’s patent wasn’t the first for the concept. In 1888, John J. Loud of Massachusetts patented a pen to write on wood, leather and…
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Donald Duck: Second Billing to No One
On June 9, 1934, Donald Duck made his debut in the Disney animated short “The Wise Little Hen.” Here are some things you may not have known about Donald. First, Donald Duck has appeared in more films than any other Disney character. Donald has been in 197 films, while Mickey Mouse has been in 167.…
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Porsche: Making Cars Since 1948
On June 8, 1948, Ferdinand Porsche completed the first prototype of his namesake sports car. Here are some things you may not have known about Porsche and his cars. First: Porsche was born to German-speaking parents in Mattersdorf, Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic, in 1875. In 1898, he designed his first automobile, an…
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Graceland: At Home with Elvis
On June 7, 1982, Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley, was opened to the public. Here are some things you may not know about the Memphis mansion. First, the home wasn’t built for Elvis. It was built in 1939 by Dr. Thomas and Ruth Moore. Presley bought the 10,266-square-foot home in 1957 for $102,500.…
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Muhammad Ali: 1942-2016
On Friday, former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, possibly the biggest sports star of all-time, died at the age of 74 after a decades-long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Here’s a look back at our Oct. 1, 2015 episode about his 1975 fight against Joe Frazier, the Thrilla in Manilla: (Originally broadcast on Oct. 1, 2016)…
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Mmmmm, Doughnuts
Today is National Doughnut Day. Here are some things you may not have known about the event and the confectionery itself. National Doughnut Day was created in 1938 by The Salvation Army to honor their roughly 250 members who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I. Their original plan was to provide baked goods…
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Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
Get your free 30-day trial of Audible at triviapeople.com/audible On this date in 1953, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was held. Here are some things you may not have known about it. Elizabeth became queen more than a year before the coronation upon the death of her father, George VI, on Feb. 2, 1952.…
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Scotchy Scotch Scotch: Down Into My Belly
On this date in 1495, the first first official record of the production of Scotch whisky was made. Here are some things you may not have known about Scotch. That first record was a tax document for a monk named John Cor who was the distiller at Lindores Abbey in Fife, Scotland. The record indicated…