Why Didn't I Think of That? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Nova Scotia

Kerosene is a combustible liquid made from the distillation of hydrocarbons in petroleum. Abraham Gesler of Nova Scotia, Canada has been credited with the development of kerosene in 1846 when he was able to refine fuel liquid from coal, bitumen, and whale shale. By 1854, Gesler had created the Kerosene Gaslight Company and used his kerosene gas as a means to install the lighting system on the streets of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

His company would eventually expand as the North American Kerosene Gas Light Company and supplied kerosene out of Long Island, New York to various parts of the Eastern United States.

Answer: Ontario

Over the years, many popular board games have been credited with being invented in Canada. Popular games include "Rummoli", "Stock Ticker" and "Trivial Pursuit". "Balderdash" is a popular bluffing game designed in Toronto, Ontario Canada by Laura Robinson and Paul Toyne in 1984.

The purpose of the game is to write out hilarious answers to a variety of categories including definitions, movie titles, weird laws, etc. and have other players in the game vote for your answer. The winner is the person whose pawn crosses the end of the game board first.

Answer: Quebec

In 1884, Marcellus Gilmore Edson of Montreal, Quebec was the first person to obtain a patent for peanut butter. Using roasted peanuts, butter, lard, and sugar he invented a product called "peanut paste" (now known as peanut butter). Since his invention, various companies such as Kraft and Rosefield Packing Company have prepared their own versions of peanut butter such as "Skippy".

The United States is the largest exporter of peanut butter in the world, while China and India are the largest producers and exporters of peanuts in the world which are used in the peanut butter manufacturing process.

Answer: Saskatchewan

According to sources, Ernie Symons was a tinkerer that began his own blacksmith shop at the age of 19 in southeast Saskatchewan. A neighbor gave him an oil can pump as a gift in 1920 but these pumps did not work very well. In 1922, Symons applied for a patent for a new and improved type of pump.

His patent was granted in 1923 for a new oil can pump that included a long spout on it. These special pumps could now be used to make oiling machinery easier and more effective. He moved his business to Rocanville, Saskatchewan and by 1924 these new oilers were being manufactured. During the Second World War, over 65000 oilers were manufactured for various reasons.

In 1973, the largest oilcan in the world was erected in Rocanville to honor Ernie Symons and his patent.

Answer: Newfoundland

Cluny MacPherson was a physician and inventor during the First World War. While Newfoundland had not yet been established as an official Canadian province, the Newfoundland Regiment fought alongside of the British and Canadian troops. In 1949, Newfoundland would become the tenth official province of Canada and as such, Cluny MacPherson's gas mask invention is recognized as a Canadian invention.

While on the front lines during the First World War with the St. John's Ambulance Brigade, he began researching methods to combat the toxic and deadly poisonous gas. Mustard gas was used by the Germans during the Battle of Ypres.

His gas mask, invented in 1913, was used out of necessity for the first time by British troops during the battle. It was the first mask to be used as a means to safely protect soldiers from blindness, disfigurement, and lung injuries.

Answer: New Brunswick

A wringer is a mechanical device used for pressing, flattening, and drying clothing. It was a predecessor of the modern washer and dryer. Early washing machines had been developed as early as the 1700's. During the 1840s, the first home washing machines were being patented in the United States.

In 1843, a new wringer mechanism was combined as part of the washing machine. This new mechanism was invented by Ian Turnbull of Saint John, New Brunswick and was called the "Clothes Washer With Wringer Rolls".

These early inventions led way to the eventual electric washing machine in 1904.

Answer: British Columbia

The Nanaimo Bar is a Canadian dessert that originated in the community of Nanaimo, British Columbia. The earliest recipes of the Nanaimo Bar date back to the 1950's when they appeared in an Edith Adams cookbook. Nanaimo bars have also been called "London Fog Bars", "Mabel's Squares", or simply "Chocolate Squares".

The Nanaimo Bar is a three layered chocolate dessert consisting of a chocolate coconut crumbed bottom, a custard icing layer in the middle, and a melted chocolate topping. In 1985, a contest was held by the mayor of Nanaimo to find the ultimate Nanaimo Bar recipe and this contest was won by Nanaimo resident Joyce Hardcastle.

Answer: Alberta

The Caesar cocktail (also known as a Bloody Cocktail), was invented in Calgary, Alberta at the Calgary Inn by manager Walter Chell. He stated that the inspiration behind the drink was a trip that he had made to Italy. The popular dish Spaghetti alle vongole is made using a tomato based sauce and clams.

After three months of perfecting the drink, it became a big hit among regular patrons of the restaurant. The most common versions of the Caesar cocktail consist of Clamato juice, vodka, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.

Answer: Manitoba

Wheelchair rugby was invented by five Canadian wheelchair athletes in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1976. Also known as "murderball", this sport is one of the most aggressive wheelchair sports that can be played. The sport is played on a basketball court and allows able bodied quadriplegic athletes the ability to play.

The objective of the sport is to bounce and pass a ball and score by bringing the ball past the opposing teams goal line.

Answer: Prince Edward Island

In 1970, Wallace L. E. Mallett of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island applied for a patent on what is known as a bale lifter. In 1972, he was approved for this patent. The bale lifter was designed to be an attachment and improvement for handling, moving, and lifting large bales of hay.

It was attached to farm tractors and used as an overall time saving mechanism to improve farming economics.