Posts Tagged ‘history’
Question Asked: Who Invented The Alarm Clock?
The concept of setting a device (or another person) to wake you up at a specific time in the morning dates way back to the early days.
The first mechanical alarm clock was invented by Levi Hutchins in 1787. This device he made only for himself however, and it only had one setting -4 AM. He created this device in order to help him wake up for work.
The French inventor Antoine Redier was the first to patent an adjustable mechanical alarm clock, in 1847.
Question Asked: How Much Did The Titanic Cost To Build?
According to estimates provided by the company that owned the Titanic, it cost roughly $7.5million US ($1.5 million UK)
It’s rumored that they made half their money back on the maiden voyage alone, in first class fare. A first class ticket on the Titanic cost $3100 US. There were roughly 1000 first class ticket holders on board.
A third class ticket, however, only cost $32 US, but meant you had to share a room with strangers, likely 8 or 10 of them.
The $7.5million that it cost to build Titanic, today, would cost roughly $125million with inflation.
To put that in perspective, the movie Titanic cost $200million to make in its entirety.
Question Asked: Who Created The Keyboard?
I’m assuming you meant keyboard as in the thing I’m typing on right now, and not the musical instrument. If I’m wrong, reply to my e-mail for clarification.
The “keyboard” as we know it today, derives from the work of inventor Christopher L. Sholes, who put together the prototypes of the first commercial typewriter in a Milwaukee machine shop back in the 1860s.
The first item marketed as a type-writer was available in 1862, and had the same keyboard we have today, which is known as a “QWERTY” keyboard, because in the top row of letter keys your left hand can easily type out QWERTY.
There have been a number of other keyboard styles available in the past, but none have been even as remotely successful as the QWERTY keyboard.
Question Asked: Who Has Sold The Most Records In Music History?
This is a tough one, as there’s conflicting evidence available on the web.
Some sources report that it’s The Beatles, having sold over 1.5 billion copies of their records.
Other sources report that Elvis Presely has a slight edge over The Beatles.
When comparing numbers for both Elvis and The Beatles, they’ve both very impressive. The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) reports The Beatles selling 1.5 billion copies of their records over time, with 39 of their albums going Gold or better.
The RIAA reports 1.47 billion records sold for Elvis, with 80 of his records going Gold or better.
The units sold is what’s important, and it’s evident that The Beatles have a slight edge over Elvis. And with The Beatles: Rock Band coming out next week, it’s sure to sell more of their albums, as well, once people play the game and realize they’re missing certain discs from their collection.
So, the answer is simple: The Beatles.
Question Asked: When Was Monopoly Created?
According to a patent filed with the U.S Patent Office, the original idea for Monopoly was created in1935, by Charles Darrow.
Monopoly is based on Elizabeth (Lizzie) J. Magie Phillips’ 1904 game called “The Landlord’s Game”, which she developed to help people understand single tax theory.
Since its initial release, there have been over 400 versions of the game around the world, that were officially released by Parker Brothers. Cities far and wide have their own version of the game, localized and in their language.
According to the Guiness Book of World Records, over 800 million people have played Monopoly in their lifetime.
An estimated 300 million copies of the game have been sold since 1935, which makes it the most successful and most played board game in the history of the world.