Fact or Fiction Trivia Quiz

Answer: Fiction

The fact is that Thomas Edison made improvements to the invention. Louis le Prince shot a moving picture using his single lens camera in 1888. le Prince was scheduled to present his invention and moving picture in America, when he disappeared in 1890. le Prince had his single lens camera patented before Edison even filed for a patent, but because of his disappearance he was never able to display it. Edison filed suit and won, but the ruling was overturned.

Despite this, Edison continued to receive royalties. Edison was a prime suspect in le Prince's disappearance; he was last seen boarding a train bound for Paris. Neither he nor his luggage have ever been found.

Answer: Fact

This mystical animal has graced Scotland's coat-of-arms since the 12th century. The most prevalent reason is that the unicorn is a natural enemy of the lion, the lion being symbol of England. Unicorns are also immensely proud and independent as well as difficult to tame and conquer, much like Scotland itself. It gave the Scots hope, and motivation to keep going through all the wars.

Answer: Fiction

In 1233 Pope Gregory IX received reports of a heretical cult in Germany that believed black cats were associated with devil worship. In response the Pope issued a decree condemning heretical acts involving black cats. As word spread, superstitions and misinterpretations grew to the point that it was thought that the Pope had ordered the killing of all black cats, when in fact the Papal decree condemned heretical acts involving the use of black cats.

It is possible that the mass killing of cats allowed the rat population to grow and helped spread the Black Death a hundred years later.

Answer: Fact

Vincent Van Gogh was living in southern France in 1888 when he invited fellow artist Paul Gauguin to live with him. While friends, they had different views of art and styles of painting. One night they had a heated argument, resulting in Gauguin leaving the house and Van Gogh, armed with a straight razor, in pursuit. Van Gogh apparently abandoned the pursuit, returned home and turned the razor on himself, cutting off his left ear. Scholars have speculated and will in all likelihood continue to speculate as to what really happened that night in 1888. Van Gogh's mental health has brought forward many theories for his self-mutilation.

Answer: Fact

London's Metropolitan Police Service is known as "The Met". It has jurisdiction in Greater London, but not in the city itself. The London City Police Force was formed in 1839. It is not affiliated with "The Met".

Answer: Fiction

While body heat does escape through the skin of an exposed head, it is no more vulnerable than other body parts. It is important not to expose any skin to cold temperatures.

Answer: Fiction

While the pterodactyl lived during the age of the dinosaurs, it was not actually a dinosaur. Dinosaurs lived on land while pterodactyls had wings and could fly. It was a flying reptile. Pterodactyls were not classified as dinosaurs. They were pterosaurs, a different branch than dinosaurs.

Answer: Fiction

The human tongue is one big taste bud. All areas of the tongue sense different tastes.

Answer: Fact

Technically lightning does not have a temperature, but it can heat the air it passes through to temperatures five times hotter than the surface of the sun.

Answer: Fact

The Boston Typewriter Orchestra, founded in 2004, is an experimental musical ensemble that turns typewriters into instruments, blending percussion, voice, and theatrical office-themed performance.