Mixed Indiana Trivia

1. Which Indiana native was the announcer for Burns and Allen, a comedy duo on stage, movies, and TV from 1927-1958?

From Quiz Indiana Trivia

Answer: Harry Von Zell

Von Zell (1906-1981) was a radio announcer and actor. He once introduced President Herbert Hoover as "Hoobert Heever", which was a major radio snafu.

From Quiz Indiana - Land of the Indians [1]

Answer: nobody knows for sure

Although the word 'Hoosier' has been around since the early 1800s, Indiana scholars can't agree on its origins. Some say it refers to a word used as an insult for hill people or hillbillies. Others claim it refers to flat bottomed boats. Most states have a demonym related to the state name, like Texan, Floridian, etc. We've been Hoosiers since about 1830, so I think the name has stuck.

From Quiz Indiana Trivia

Answer: Vincennes University

Vincennes University was founded in 1801.

From Quiz Indiana - Land of the Indians [2]

Answer: Bobby Knight

Although some of Coach Knight's antics and his great coaching skills have put Indiana in the news often, Bobby was born in Ohio. He coached the Indiana University basketball team from 1971 to 2000. Jane Pauley was born in Indianapolis and attended I.U. She made a name for herself on 'The Today Show' and as an anchor woman. Larry Bird was born in West Baden, IN. He was an all-star in the NBA and the President of Operations for the Indiana Pacers (National Basketball Association team). Orville Redenbacher was born in Valparaiso, IN. in 1907. He grew up on his family's farm and sold popcorn from a roadside stand. He spent much of his life developing corn that would produce the best popcorn.

From Quiz Indiana Trivia

Answer: Peru

Peru, Indiana served as the winter headquarters for Ringling Bros, Hagenbeck and Wallace, Buffalo Bills Wild West Show, and four other circuses. Peru is now home to the International Circus Hall of Fame.

From Quiz Indiana - Land of the Indians [2]

Answer: David Wolf

Dr. Wolf was born in Indianapolis. He got a degree in engineering from Purdue University and then a doctorate of medicine from Indiana University. He has logged many days in space and a few spacewalks too. Colonel Zamka's father resides in Indianapolis.

From Quiz Indiana - Land of the Indians [1]

Answer: Dave Letterman

Dave was born in the state capital, Indianapolis, in 1947. He attended Broad Ripple High School and Ball State University. He started his career as a radio talk show host and eventually a weatherman. He was making jokes even then. He compared hail stones to canned hams. In 1975, he moved to Los Angeles, and the rest, as they say, is history.

From Quiz Indiana Trivia

Answer: 1911

The Indianapolis 500 is a car race held in Speedway, Indiana. The first use of a rear-view mirror was introduced on a car in this race in 1911. The first race took 6 hours and 42 minutes, at an average speed of 74.6 mph.

From Quiz Indiana - Land of the Indians [1]

Answer: John Glenn

John Glenn, astronaut and senator, is from Indiana's eastern neighbor, Ohio. Steve McQueen, an actor nicknamed 'The King of Cool', was born in Beech Grove, just outside Indianapolis city limits. Red Skelton, radio and TV funny man, was born in Vincennes, IN. Rupert Boneham was born in Detroit, Michigan, but moved to Indiana at an early age. He is best known for being a 'Survivor: Pearl Island' contestant who won a million dollars on 'Survivor: All-Stars'. He and his family live in Indianapolis where he mentors troubled teens.

From Quiz Indiana Trivia

Answer: Crawfordsville

"Ben Hur" has been made into at least five movies, a TV mini-series and a stage play. Lew Wallace was a Civil War general; following the war, he was Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. He died in 1905 in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

From Quiz Indiana Trivia

Answer: Coca-Cola bottle

The first Coca-Cola was sold by Mississippi shop owner Joseph A. Biedenharn in 1894. It was sold in just a regular glass bottle, but it wasn't considered distinctive enough to keep from having "copycat" competitors. Earl Dean provided a sketch, in general, for the bottle, and put together a competition for a company to manufacture it.

From Quiz Indiana Trivia

Answer: Old Oaken Bucket

The Borg Warner Trophy was introduced and made the official trophy of the race in 1936. The trophy was designed by Robert J. Hill.

From Quiz Indiana Trivia

Answer: Greenfield

Riley was known as the Hoosier Poet and the Children's Poet. He wrote the poem "Little Orphant Annie" in 1885. (The spelling was indeed "orphant").

From Quiz Indiana - Land of the Indians [2]

Answer: Jim Davis - Garfield

James Robert Davis was born in Marion, IN in 1945. He was raised on a farm in Indiana with his brother Dave and 25 cats. He attended Ball State University. 'Garfield' is from Muncie and is named after Jim's grandfather. 'Garfield' has been in publication since 1978. Jim has continued to live in Indiana throughout his adult life.

From Quiz Indiana Trivia

Answer: The Blob

"The Blob" was McQueen's first leading role. In 1963, he won the Best Actor Award at the Moscow International Film Festival for his role in "The Great Escape".

From Quiz Indiana - Land of the Indians [1]

Answer: Benjamin Harrison

Harrison was the 23rd President. He was born in Ohio, but moved to Indianapolis when he was 21.

From Quiz Indiana Trivia

Answer: Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons started as an industrial league basketball team in 1941. The Pistons moved from Fort Wayne, Indiana to Detroit, Michigan in 1957.

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Last Updated Nov 29 2025 5:51 AM

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