Posts Tagged ‘Answer of the day’

kgb_ Fact of the Day: What does NASCAR stand for?

Monday, April 20th, 2009

Often, our Special Agents answer questions that are so intriguing that they are inclined to do further research. So here is our Agents choice for question of the day:
NASCAR racing, image by mandj98 via Flickr
Q:  What does NASCAR stand for?

A:  NASCAR stands for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. It was formed in 1948.

More details:

Stock car racing rocked in the years following World War II.  Huge crowds and new drivers were common, but there was a problem.  The sport was highly disorganized.

Rules varied from track to track.  Many venues could not handle the crowd or had a substandard track.

Bill France, Sr., a promoter and racer himself, organized a meeting in December 1947 to discuss the status of racing.  By the time the meeting at the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida was complete, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) was born.

The first sanctioned race was held just two months later on the Daytona Beach race track.  On February 21, 1948, NASCAR was incorporated.  The Cup series was born in 1948 as well.

NASCAR’s growth that first decade was dramatic.  Names like Lee Petty and Fireball Roberts became as well known as Mickey Mantle or John “The Duke” Wayne.

While the sport flourished it was not without growing pains.  The first Daytona 500 lasted for three days because it took that long to study a photograph to figure out the winner between Lee Petty and Johnny Beauchamp.  Petty nosed Beauchamp to win.

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source: http://www.nascar.com/news/features/history/

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kgb_ Fact of the Day: What is a Wampus cat?

Friday, April 17th, 2009
Itasca Wampus Cat
Image by meknits via Flickr


Often, our Special Agents answer questions that are so intriguing that they are inclined to do further research. So here is our Agents choice for question of the day:

Q:  What’s a Wampus cat?
A:  The Wampus cat in folklore looks like a mountain lion, but it was walks upright like a man.

More details:

Tennessee folklore suggests that the Wampus cat was once a beautiful Native American woman.  She secretly followed her husband on a hunting trip and spied on the hunting party from behind a rock, clutching the hide of a mountain cat.  The men sat around a campfire telling sacred stories and performing magic.

The presence of the woman was forbidden, so when she was discovered she was punished by binding her into the mountain skin she held.  She became half woman and half mountain cat and howled endlessly in misery.

Modern hunters tell the tale of the Wampus cat, including the glowing yellow eyes and the huge fangs.  They describe the mountain lion that walks upright like a man and the bone-chilling howl.

Today, the Wampus cat is a popular sport’s team mascot.

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source: http://www.americanfolklore.net/folktales/tn3.html

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kgb_ Fact of the Day: what does the yellow rose symbolize?

Thursday, April 16th, 2009
The Yellow Rose of Virginia
Image by DanRhett via Flickr

Often, our Special Agents answer questions that are so intriguing that they are inclined to do further research. So here is our Agents choice for question of the day:

Q:  What does the yellow rose symbolize?
A:  The yellow rose symbolizes friendship, caring, happiness and freedom.

More details:

Roses are drenched in symbolism and history.  The rose has been a “messenger” of sorts for hundreds of years and is symbolic of confidentiality.  The Latin phrase “sub rosa” means “under the rose” which implies something told in secret, without words.

There is plenty of meaning associated with the color of roses.  So if you are looking to send a secret message of affection, consider choosing rose colors with that in mind.

Red – There is no secret that the red rose is the symbol of romantic, enduring love.  This lover’s rose is stronger than the thorns that threaten.

White – This bridal rose is often associated with young love.  It symbolizes humility, innocence, loyalty, and a desire to be worthy.

Yellow – In Victorian times, the yellow rose symbolized jealousy, but today it connotes warmth, affection and friendship.

Pink – The different hues of pink have different meanings.  A deep pink rose speaks of gratitude and appreciation while a pale one sends a message of admiration.

Orange – Fiery orange blossoms send a message of admiration with an undertone of passion.

Lilac & Purple – Send a message of love at first sight!

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source: http://www.teleflora.com/rose_colors.asp

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kgb_ fact of the day: Who was Amelia Earhart?

Monday, April 13th, 2009
Jan.11: Amelia Earhart flies from Hawaii.
Image via Wikipedia

Often, our Special Agents answer questions that are so intriguing that they are inclined to do further research. So here is our Agents choice for question of the day:

Q:  Who was Amelia Earhart?
A:  Amelia Mary Earhart was a pioneer in aviation who went missing on July 2, 1937 and was never found.  She was declared dead on January 5, 1939.
More details:

With her 40th birthday approaching, aviator Amelia Earhart was poised to be the first woman to fly around the world.  The year was 1937.  Along with her navigator, Earhart left Miami on June 1, 1937 to begin the 29,000 journey.  By June 29th, all but 7,000 remaining miles had been completed.

On July 2nd at 12:30 p.m., the duo departed to their next hop – Howland Island, a 1.5 mile island located 2,556 miles from the New Guinea shoreline in the mid-Pacific. Unpredicted overcast skies and rain showers made navigation problematic.  Fuel began to run low and the final report from Earhart was heard at 8:45 p.m.

A rescue attempt took place immediately and became the most extensive search in naval history.  Reluctantly, after covering 250,000 square miles of ocean and expending $4 million, the U.S. government suspended search efforts on July 19, 1937.  The official declaration of death was January 5, 1939. The mystery of her death has not been solved and theories abound.

“In my life I had come to realize that when things were going very well indeed it was just the time to anticipate trouble. And, conversely, I learned from pleasant experience that at the most despairing crisis, when all looked sour beyond words, some delightful “break” was apt to lurk just around the corner.” –Amelia Earhart

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source: http://www.ameliaearhart.com/index.php

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kgb_ Fact of the Day: What is a carbon footprint?

Friday, April 10th, 2009

Often, our Special Agents answer questions that are so intriguing that they are inclined to do further research. So here is our Agents choice for question of the day:
carbon-footprint
Q:  What is a carbon footprint?
A:   A carbon footprint refers to the overall amount of carbon dioxide produced from human activities.

More details:

Our carbon footprint refers to all our activities that impact climate change in particular.   The footprints measure all the greenhouse gases we produce and their carbon dioxide equivalents. When folks lighten their carbon footprint, this is a good thing as the overall impact on the environment lessens.

For example:  Joe Citizen’s carbon footprint has several elements to it.  All the elements add weight to his footprint, leaving a bigger impression on the environment.  The heating fuel he uses in his home and the electricity add weight. More weight comes from his car usage.  He takes public transportation to work so part of that is included in the footprint’s impression.  His holiday flight to Cancun to “get away from it all” is added too.

The manufacturing of the food and beverages Joe chooses adds to his carbon footprint.  So does the manufacturing of his clothes and other personal effects. We can add more carbon footprint weight for his recreation and leisure activities.

Joe’s carbon footprint is made up of things he can control (like his energy consumption and transportation) and things that he has less control over (the lifecycles of the products he consumes.)

Joe can minimize his carbon footprint by reducing carbon emissions in his lifestyle.  Electricity is a big producer of carbon emissions.  Joe can switch to a green energy supplier and turn of the lights when not in use.  Turning down his central heating and water tank even a couple of degrees will help too.  Even unplugging the mobile phone once it has charged will help reduce his carbon footprint.

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source: http://www.carbonfootprint.com/carbonfootprint.html

Image by gwire via Flickr

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kgb_ fact of the day: Who patroned the creation of The Pieta?

Friday, April 10th, 2009
Michelangelo's Pietà
Image by Sebastian Bergmann via Flick

Often, our Special Agents answer questions that are so intriguing that they are inclined to do further research. So here is our Agents choice for question of the day:

Q:  Who patroned the creation of The Pieta?
A:  The statue was commissioned by the French cardinal Jean de Billheres for his funeral monument.

The Pieta is a life-size sculpture depicting the Virgin Mary holding the body of Jesus Christ after his death.  The image has been rendered by many sculptors and painters over the ages, but the sculpture by Michelangelo is the stand-out.  The sculpture resides in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

Before sculpting the Pieta, Michelangelo was fairly unknown.  He was in his early twenties when he was commissioned to sculpt the piece in 1498.  He was actually commissioned to complete four sculptures, but The Pieta was the only one he completed.

Michelangelo carved the piece from a single slab of marble in less than two years.  The piece was unique in that he portrayed the Virgin Mary as serene as opposed to anguished, deviating from interpretations of the past.

While most marveled at its magnificence, some attributed the work to others of the time.  This angered Michelangelo, who then carved his signature into the piece, an action he later regretted.

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source: http://www.saintpetersbasilica.org/Altars/Pieta/Pieta.htm

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kgb_ fact of the day: who invented breakfast cereal?

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009
First Kellogg's package
Image via Wikipedia

Often, our Special Agents answer questions that are so intriguing that they are inclined to do further research. So here is our Agents choice for question of the day:

Q:  Who invented breakfast cereal?
A:  The first packaged breakfast cereal, Granula was invented by James Caleb Jackson in 1863.

Dr. James Caleb Jackson was born in upstate New York in 1811. In his younger days, he worked as an abolitionist and lecturer.  Saddled with very poor health, he sought a water cure and became a strong proponent of hydropathy.  He obtained a medical degree and operated a health spa. The spa became famous and attracted notables of the time.

In addition to water treatments performed at the spa, Dr. Jackson advocated a healthy diet with emphasis on fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  He is credited with inventing the first cold breakfast cereal, Granula, a hard bran product that had to be soaked overnight prior to eating.  Sales of the product were a lucrative sideline for him.

One of the patrons at Dr. Jackson’s spa was a woman by the name of Ellen G. White who later went on to form the Seventh Day Adventist religion.  One of the members of her newly formed church was John Kellogg and, as you might guess, breakfast history took off from there!

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source: http://dansville.lib.ny.us/historyo.html

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kgb_ fact of the day: Who is the fastest man?

Monday, April 6th, 2009
usain bolt - victory lap
Image by hannahspanna via Flickr

Often, our Special Agents answer questions that are so intriguing that they are inclined to do further research. So here is our Agents choice for question of the day:

Q:  Who is the world’s fastest man?
A:  Usain Bolt is currently the fastest man in the world. He set the 100m dash record at 9.69 seconds!

Track and field star Usain Bolt was born on August 21, 1986 in Montego Bay, Jamaica.  He stands 6′4″ and weight 198 pounds. Prior to his record-breaking performance at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, he struggled with a hamstring injury at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics.

On August 16, 2008, he broke his own 100m dash record (9.72) by running the event in 9.69 seconds.  He accomplished this while looking around, raising his arms, and pounding on his chest in exuberance.

Just out of high school, Bolt signed his first professional contract at age 17, and was nicknamed “Lightning Bolt.”  A runner since the age of 10, many later suggested that Bolt’s career would never flourish due to injuries, reports of excessive partying, and a lack of interest in hard training.

According to the “Lightening Bolt” himself, lightning may have struck sense into him. “Over the years, I have learned a lot and it forces you to grow up quickly,” Bolt said to the International Association of Athletics Federations. “I am hungry for a title under my belt and if you want to be a champion you have to be serious, buckle down and do the work required.”

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source: http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=271/bio/

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kgb_ fact of the day: Who was Jack Daniel?

Sunday, April 5th, 2009
Jack Daniel, founder of Jack Daniel's whiskey
Image via Wikipedia

Often, our Special Agents answer questions that are so intriguing that they are inclined to do further research. So here is our Agents choice for question of the day:

Q:  Who was Jack Daniel?
A:  Jack Daniel was the founder of a brand of Tennessee whiskey that is among the world’s best-selling whiskeys.

Jack Daniel was a real person, with much legend surrounding him.  His true birth date is in question, as a fire destroyed his local courthouse and his headstone leaves the date in question.  As a result, the company celebrates his birth the entire month of September, each year.

Jack was a publicity maverick in those days.  In 1892, he created the parading Silver Comet Band to lure crowds to his two taverns – the Red Dog and the White Rabbit saloons.  The thirteen musicians in the band weren’t exactly musicians, but the sound was good!  The band even went on to play for political candidates of the time.

No one really knows the significance of “Old No. 7″ on the bottle.  Legend says that he may have had seven girlfriends, the way he wrote “J” looked like a “7″ or he thought that 7 would just be lucky.  It certainly was.

Jack died of blood poisoning in 1911, the result of an infection from a broken toe.  The story goes that he showed up at work early, tried to open an office safe and could not recall the combination.  Exasperated, he kicked the darn safe and the medical problems ensued.

Jack never married and had no children, so passed on the distillery to his nephew, hard-working Lem Motlow.

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source: http://www.jackdaniels.com/default.aspx

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kgb_ fact of the day: Who invented Football?

Friday, April 3rd, 2009
Walter Chauncey Camp
Image by cliff1066 via Flickr

Often, our Special Agents answer questions that are so intriguing that they are inclined to do further research. So here is our Agents choice for question of the day:

Q:  Who invented football?
A:  Walter Camp invented American Football (derivative of the English soccer/rugby) at Yale in the 1870’s.

Walter Camp is considered a giant of football in the United States.  He was a rugby player in the 1800’s and actually played in the first Yale vs. Harvard game in 1876. Soon after, his creativity, inventiveness and leadership would bring about the evolution of football in America.

An intensely trained athlete, Camp played varsity for Yale from 1877 to 1882 and served as captain for three years.  Yale had an outstanding record under Camp’s leadership and Camp showed his athletic prowess as a skilled kicker, runner and tackle master.

Much of the evolution of American football is credited to Camp.  He is credited with developing the scrimmage, points system, plays and sequences, 11-man teams, and the strategies that continue to delight football fans to this day.  He gave the game character and values when it had become too brutal to have a sporting chance of a future as an American pastime.

Of note, Camp helped establish the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and during the First World War, was responsible for training most of the troops.

Until his death in 1925, Walter Camp continued to extol the virtues of safe play and sportsmanship as the maverick of American football.

kgb_   Text your question to 542542. We answer to you.

Source: http://www.waltercamp.org/

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