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Quiz about The Museum of Obsolescence
Quiz about The Museum of Obsolescence

The Museum of Obsolescence Trivia Quiz


Tour with our guide through the museum of cultural aspects that vanished, or almost have, from American culture. See what you know about things that are going, going, gone.

A multiple-choice quiz by oscarguy. Estimated time: 7 mins.
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Author
oscarguy
Time
7 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
186,768
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
9986
Awards
Top 10% Quiz
Last 3 plays: bigsouthern (7/10), Guest 138 (7/10), Guest 4 (8/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Greetings! I'll be your guide today in The Museum of Obsolescence. Our first exhibit is a stack of thin, flimsy papers with ink on one side for the purpose of making duplicates. They were, at the same time, a blessing and a curse to secretaries and students. Remember not to touch the exhibits, especially this one, because you're bound to smudge your fingers. What are these obsolete items called? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Here we have an interesting spray can. It contains a chemical substance brought into common usage in the 1940s by a Swiss scientist named Paul Muller. Its contents worked wonders for several decades in reducing or eliminating disease. Everything from lakes and farms to mattresses and baby cribs benefited, in a way, from its properties. However, it is unlikely that you will ever again see this product on the shelf, or anywhere else, in the future. What is in this can? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Over here we have a mannequin of a young man we like to call Isaac. Notice his brown web belt designed to assist him with his work. In 1937 these boys, and some girls, earned about $4.00 per week. These young workers almost always had a bicycle. They were often at the mercy of ruthless circulation managers. Their seven-day a week occupation, as it once existed, is all but gone (at least in America). Who were these hard workers? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Step right up and witness one of the strangest items in our museum. It's the "shoe-fitting fluoroscope", also known by the trade name "Foot-O-Scope". Here we have a boxlike machine into which (mostly) youngsters could stick their feet and observe through exposure to X-rays their own bones within their about-to-be-purchased shoes. This way shoe store operators and parents could determine if the new shoes would be comfortable and correct for their child. No later than 1958 the machines were banned in all 50 states. Which of the following is NOT a reason specified for the discontinuation of the "shoe-fitting fluoroscope"? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. In this glass case we have an antiquated men's clothing item and a 1966 seventy-three page document by Dr. Ernest Dichter entitled "Soxology: A Strategy for Stimulating Sock Sales". Dr. Dichter was trying to assist in improving the sales appeal of men's hosiery, which had gone through great social and manufacturing changes in the previous 45 years or so. Historically, socks had changed significantly over the decades. With that in mind, what was the one male hosiery accessory that almost vanished from the American scene? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Over here we have a model of an apartment building from the past with metal steps and walkways fastened to the outside walls. You have undoubtedly seen them in older movies and may still see them here and there. They are called fire escapes. Let me ask the group a question. Fire escapes proved to be an entirely effective and proven safety innovation for assisting people in getting out of a burning building. So, what do you think? True or false?


Question 7 of 10
7. Tourist in the museum: "What are these gross flesh things in this jar of formaldehyde"?
Tour guide: "They are body parts that everyone is born with. Up until a few decades ago, they were routinely removed from youngsters. There seemed to be some confusion about keeping these "flesh things" intact. Kids were often calmed down about the procedure with the promise of copious amounts of ice cream once the surgery was over. But, what was the surgery?
Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. On our right, ladies and gentlemen, we have a model of a milkman. Anyone here even know of someone who has milk deliveries? Oh, I think I see a hand in the back. The milkman is all but extinct. Although, prior to 1930, 70% of milk sold in the U.S. was distributed door-to-door. Now the figure is 1%. Which of the following did NOT contribute to the extreme decline of home deliveries by milkmen? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. You've all seen these pieces of paper ordinarily measuring 6" x 3" . You can pay for goods and pay bills with them. They are still used often and are accepted by most merchants. But a plastic innovation which is hardier and more widely trusted is preferred. Slowly but surely, the pieces of paper on display here in The Museum of Obsolescence are diminishing in use. What are these slips called? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Take a look at this sample array of round, flat discs from the last 100 years or so. You'll notice that they are almost always twelve, ten, or seven inches in diameter. They are called records. For you young folks, if you are not familiar with them, just ask your parents or grandparents about them because records were just about all they had. The CD boom didn't hit until 1983. Interestingly, a German immigrant, Emile Berliner, is credited with first capturing sound on a disc or record a very long time ago. Berliner was the owner of The United States Gramophone Company of Washington, D.C. In which year did Berliner manage to capture sound on a record? Hint



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quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Greetings! I'll be your guide today in The Museum of Obsolescence. Our first exhibit is a stack of thin, flimsy papers with ink on one side for the purpose of making duplicates. They were, at the same time, a blessing and a curse to secretaries and students. Remember not to touch the exhibits, especially this one, because you're bound to smudge your fingers. What are these obsolete items called?

Answer: carbon paper

Carbon paper is almost unimaginable to a generation raised on photocopy machines, and of course, computer word programs. If you have been around long enough, you may remember retyping entire pages because of one incorrectly typed letter in a composition. Thanks to a New York attorney and inventor named Chester Carlson, the concept of photocopying began its development in 1938.

The idea was a hard sell and took almost 30 years to become accepted and commonplace. (In the early days of the photocopier, copies were very expensive in real terms). Carbon paper has become almost useless to us now and is therefore extremely hard to find.
2. Here we have an interesting spray can. It contains a chemical substance brought into common usage in the 1940s by a Swiss scientist named Paul Muller. Its contents worked wonders for several decades in reducing or eliminating disease. Everything from lakes and farms to mattresses and baby cribs benefited, in a way, from its properties. However, it is unlikely that you will ever again see this product on the shelf, or anywhere else, in the future. What is in this can?

Answer: DDT

DDT, or dichloro-diphenyl-trichlororethane, proved an extremely effective weapon against mosquitos (the chief source of malaria), and many other members of the insect world. The good news is that DDT impressively reduced the incidence of malaria around the world.

The bad news is that it wreaked havoc with the ecosystem resulting in the decimation of some bird species and consequent negative trickle-down effects, the build-up of DDT in humans and animals, and the distinct possibility of being carcinogenic.

After the ban of DDT in the 1970s, scientists began strenuous efforts to find alternatives for insect control. The struggle goes on to safely keep bugs off our countertops.
3. Over here we have a mannequin of a young man we like to call Isaac. Notice his brown web belt designed to assist him with his work. In 1937 these boys, and some girls, earned about $4.00 per week. These young workers almost always had a bicycle. They were often at the mercy of ruthless circulation managers. Their seven-day a week occupation, as it once existed, is all but gone (at least in America). Who were these hard workers?

Answer: paperboys

As of 1990, the number of paperboys dropped 60% while the number of adult deliverers doubled. It became apparent to the newspaper industry that adults in cars could cover more ground than youngsters on bicycles. The Museum of Obsolescence calls their paperboy mannequin Isaac in honor of Isaac Asimov who worked as a paperboy.

Others who began their education in capitalism in this field were Eddie Cantor, John Wayne, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bob Hope, and Walt Disney, among many others.
4. Step right up and witness one of the strangest items in our museum. It's the "shoe-fitting fluoroscope", also known by the trade name "Foot-O-Scope". Here we have a boxlike machine into which (mostly) youngsters could stick their feet and observe through exposure to X-rays their own bones within their about-to-be-purchased shoes. This way shoe store operators and parents could determine if the new shoes would be comfortable and correct for their child. No later than 1958 the machines were banned in all 50 states. Which of the following is NOT a reason specified for the discontinuation of the "shoe-fitting fluoroscope"?

Answer: Radiation invariably discolored the lacquer used on most shoes

The discovery of X-rays in 1895 opened the door to enterprising ideas for capitalizing on this scientific discovery. Already in 1905, prior to the "shoe-fitting fluoroscope", it was possible in Chicago and New York to pay a nickel to see the bones of one's hands and wrists "as entertainment". X-ray devices were situated in public places such as restaurants. Very slowly, the world became aware of the need for caution in dealing with radiation. If you were around when the "Foot-O-Scope" was in use, don't be alarmed. We have been reassured that the feet can tolerate more radiation than more sensitive areas such as the eyes and gonads. Before 1958, though, you could run from store to store to see the bones of your tootsies move. Scary.
5. In this glass case we have an antiquated men's clothing item and a 1966 seventy-three page document by Dr. Ernest Dichter entitled "Soxology: A Strategy for Stimulating Sock Sales". Dr. Dichter was trying to assist in improving the sales appeal of men's hosiery, which had gone through great social and manufacturing changes in the previous 45 years or so. Historically, socks had changed significantly over the decades. With that in mind, what was the one male hosiery accessory that almost vanished from the American scene?

Answer: men's garters

Today's socks are sturdy, inexpensive, and disposable. Most important, they tend not to fall down around the ankles. To buy a new set of men's garters you would need to seek out imports or go online.
6. Over here we have a model of an apartment building from the past with metal steps and walkways fastened to the outside walls. You have undoubtedly seen them in older movies and may still see them here and there. They are called fire escapes. Let me ask the group a question. Fire escapes proved to be an entirely effective and proven safety innovation for assisting people in getting out of a burning building. So, what do you think? True or false?

Answer: False

The history of fire escapes is an ironic and disappointing story. Originally, they were a well-meant effort to help people in the event of fire in a building. Codes and laws governing fire escapes tended to be ignored or poorly thought out . Some fire escapes dumped fleeing fire victims into enclosed backyards and areas with no exit. Newer buildings have designed alternate and better means of escape.

As these buildings go up, outside metal fire escapes will fade away.
7. Tourist in the museum: "What are these gross flesh things in this jar of formaldehyde"? Tour guide: "They are body parts that everyone is born with. Up until a few decades ago, they were routinely removed from youngsters. There seemed to be some confusion about keeping these "flesh things" intact. Kids were often calmed down about the procedure with the promise of copious amounts of ice cream once the surgery was over. But, what was the surgery?

Answer: tonsillectomy

A wide-scale study in England and the U.S. showed that the average school-age child whose tonsils were removed was no better off than those who still had them. In 1971, American doctors performed a million tonsillectomies a year. The numbers fell precipitously throughout the next decade, and by 1980 the number was one hundred thousand. Doctors became very discerning about performing tonsillectomies and parents rethought the idea of the procedure being as beneficial for their children as piano lessons and orthodontia.
8. On our right, ladies and gentlemen, we have a model of a milkman. Anyone here even know of someone who has milk deliveries? Oh, I think I see a hand in the back. The milkman is all but extinct. Although, prior to 1930, 70% of milk sold in the U.S. was distributed door-to-door. Now the figure is 1%. Which of the following did NOT contribute to the extreme decline of home deliveries by milkmen?

Answer: Home-delivered milk proved to be a health threat due to diseases in cattle

Until the 1930's, milk was delivered by horse and wagon. Motorized vehicles replaced them for the next four decades. Those motorized milk trucks, though, have just about hit vanishing point.
9. You've all seen these pieces of paper ordinarily measuring 6" x 3" . You can pay for goods and pay bills with them. They are still used often and are accepted by most merchants. But a plastic innovation which is hardier and more widely trusted is preferred. Slowly but surely, the pieces of paper on display here in The Museum of Obsolescence are diminishing in use. What are these slips called?

Answer: bank checks

The debit or ATM card has reduced the use of paper bank checks drastically. The conversion has not been absolute, but the advantages of the debit card are staggering. Moving a check through the system costs banks about 79 cents each. In 1990, transactions settled by checks cost banks about $45 billion.

The savings in dealing with transactions electronically are unmistakable. But, how does it happen that no matter which line you get into in the supermarket there's someone ahead of you paying with a check?
10. Take a look at this sample array of round, flat discs from the last 100 years or so. You'll notice that they are almost always twelve, ten, or seven inches in diameter. They are called records. For you young folks, if you are not familiar with them, just ask your parents or grandparents about them because records were just about all they had. The CD boom didn't hit until 1983. Interestingly, a German immigrant, Emile Berliner, is credited with first capturing sound on a disc or record a very long time ago. Berliner was the owner of The United States Gramophone Company of Washington, D.C. In which year did Berliner manage to capture sound on a record?

Answer: 1894

Berliner's brainchild started a long and fascinating legacy of sound and music on records. The first records on the mass market were twelve inches in diameter. Shortly thereafter, the ten-inch 78 rpm record was developed and ruled for roughly four decades before the industry introduced Vinylite which led to the long-play record and, a year later, the 45 rpm record. Interesting statistics linked with the quiz choices are that in 1914 Americans spent $27 million on records and in 1919 spent $160 million. In 1948, Columbia introduced the long-play record. Sales of CD players, once introduced, sold faster than any other consumer electronic product in history.

Special credit for ideas and facts for this quiz goes to Susan Jonas and Marilyn Nissenson, authors of the brilliant book "Going, Going, Gone: Vanishing America". By today's standards, some of the pictures are wonderful and creepy at the same time - especially that "Foot-O-Scope".
Source: Author oscarguy

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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