The Montreux Jazz Festival, held in Switzerland from July 5 to 20 this year, is the second largest annual jazz festival in the world after Canada’s Montreal International Jazz Festival. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
Why: On this day in 1884, a new attraction called the “Switchback Railway” opened at New York’s Coney Island amusement park. Lamarcus Thompson designed it specifically as a ride rather than replacing an existing system. Two parallel tracks descended from fifty-foot by 50-foot towers and gave people a view of the landscape. This was the first example of what?
A: Roller Coaster
Why: Born on this day in 1890, English comedian Arthur Stanley began his career on the music hall stage. He was an assistant to Charlie Chaplin, with whom he traveled to America on the same boat. In 1921, he starred in the film Lucky Dog with Oliver Hardy and they soon became a famous duo for three decades. How do we get to know Arthur and his duo better?
A: Stan Laurel of Laurel and Hardy
Why: This company was formed on this day in 1903, eventually becoming the second most valuable brand in its sector globally. Initially created by Caleb Bradham and sold as ‘Brad’s Drink’, it was later renamed to advertise the fact that it relieves indigestion. What brand is this?
A: Pepsi
Why: On this day in 1911, this company was founded in New York as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company and specialized in record-keeping and measurement systems. When it began making punch-card tabulating systems in 1924, it changed its name, eventually becoming known by its acronym. Now the world’s largest industrial research organization, what is this company that is also known as ‘Big Blue’?
A: IBM
Why: On this day in 1960, this cult psychological horror film was directed in New York City. Shot entirely in black and white and dealing with a controversial subject, the film became a surprise hit, even being nominated for four Oscars. What is this culturally significant film after which many women complained that they were afraid to step into the shower?
A: crazy
Why: On this day in 1963, the Soviet space program launched its mission, Vostok 6. The astronauts aboard the spacecraft spent three days in space (more time than all the astronauts combined so far). To date, the youngest and only person to fly alone, who is this record-breaker who will be the only surviving Vostok astronaut as of 2024?
A: valentina tereshkova
Why: On this day in 1967, Swiss-born Claude Nobs started the first Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, which eventually became a legendary event. In 1971, a hard rock band was in the audience to see musician Frank Zappa perform at a casino on Lake Geneva when a spectator foolishly fired a flare gun. This caused a fire that burned down the casino but Nobs personally saved many lives. The band wrote a song about this, which made them world famous. Which band and which song?
A: Deep Purple – Smoke on the water, fire in the sky
Why: On this day in 1977, this organization was incorporated in California as Software Development Laboratories (SDL) by Larry Ellison, Bob Miner, and Ed Oates. Eventually, they became the third-largest software company in the world. Which company is this, named after a character from Greek mythology who could predict the future?
A: Oracle
Why: On this day in 2010, this country became the first to impose a blanket ban on tobacco, calling it ‘reprehensible whether viewed from a religious or public health perspective’. The ban was temporarily lifted in 2020 during the Covid crisis to curb illegal traders from its neighbour India. Which country is this?
A: Bhutan
Why: On this day in 2018, during the World Cup, this technique was officially used for the first time. Referee Andres Cunha awarded a penalty to France, leading to a 2-1 win over Australia. What is this technique that the referee calls for by mimicking the box with his hands?
A: VAR (Video Assistant Referee)
A molecular biologist from Madurai, our quizmaster loves trivia and music, and is working on a rock song called ‘Coffee is a drink, coffee is an emotion’. @bertyashley
