On a Scale Trivia Quiz

Answer: 1949

On April 4, 1949 twelve nations signed the North Atlantic treaty, establishing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The twelve countries involved in founding the organization were: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States.

In 1952, Greece and Turkey were added; West Germany joined in 1955, and Spain became a member in 1982.

Answer: Long Island Iced Tea

Too much of this "tea" can put you on ice! The ingredients for the other choices: Fuzzy Navel - peach schnapps and orange juice; Midsummer Night's Dream - apple, gooseberries, spearmint, marigold blossoms, safflower petals, rose petals and artificial flavoring; White Russian - vodka, coffee liqueur and cream.

Answer: Alexa

Although Amazon's Alexa was the most popular of the voice-controlled speakers, new products continue to be manufactured to provide additional competition. Apple's Siri, Google's Assistant and Microsoft's Cortana have added to the rivalry, depending upon which features are most important to the purchaser. These devices continue to be upgraded and add skills almost exponentially.

Answer: burning

Joan of Arc (1412-1431), nicknamed "The Maid of Orleans", is considered a heroine of France. During the Hundred Years War between England and France, teenager Jeanne d'Arc was "called" to help lead France to victory. After the victory, in 1430 she was captured, put on trial and found guilty of heresy. She was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431. Joan was canonized as a saint in 1920.

Answer: Storm Front

"Storm Front" by Jim Butcher is the first novel in "The Dresden Files" series. The fantasy novel was published in 2000, and follows the professional wizard Harry Dresden. It starts off, as so many detective novels do, where Harry is asked to find someone, i.e., an amateur magician, but winds up getting involved in drugs, mystery and magical murders.

Answer: pianos

German piano builder Heinrich Englehard Steinweg founded Steinway and Sons, the American piano company, in New York City on March 5, 1853. The company has continually maintained its high standards for grand pianos ("the gold standard for grand pianos"), and rarely provides any discounts. A concert grand piano, Model D-9 foot, lists for over $150,000.

Answer: Don Brinkley

American television writer Don Brinkley (1921-2012) had a career that spanned over half a century, dating back to the 1950s. He wrote for "Highway Patrol" (1955-1957) with Broderick Crawford, "Medical Center" (1969-1976), "The Invaders" (1967-1968) and "Trapper John, M.D." (1979-1986).

Answer: Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden is one of the most famous sports venues in the world. It is located in the heart of New York City and is home to the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association, the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League, and professional boxing.

Some of the most memorable events there included the 1970 Knicks' NBA championship, the Rangers' 1994 Stanley Cup Championship and "The Fight of the Century" with Ali vs. Frazier in 1971.

Answer: Walter Winchell

Columnist Walter Winchell (1897-1972) started out in Vaudeville and became a radio news commentator and a Broadway reporter. Along with Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons, he became known for his syndicated gossip columns for the New York Daily Mirror. Winchell appeared in many films, often as himself.

His staccato style of talking led to his becoming the narrator for the crime drama "The Untouchables" which ran from 1959 to 1963.

Answer: Billy Joel

In 1949 (#1), singer Billy Joel was born in the Bronx and grew up on Long Island (#2). In 1985, Billy married Christie Brinkley (#7), and their daughter Alexa (#3) was born that same year. His nickname is the "Piano (#6) Man". Joel's 1989 hit "We Didn't Start the Fire" was released on the album "Storm Front" (#5).

After the title, the chorus says "It was always burning (#4)/Since the world's been turning". Walter Winchell (#9) is among the people mentioned in the song. One of Billy Joel's favorite concert venues is Madison Square Garden (#8).