Trivia

Monkeying Around with the Space Race - July 19, 2019

KPR Staff – Fri, 07/19/2019 - 10:41

Q: This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, when America landed two astronauts on the moon. Before sending men into space, NASA sent animals. The first NASA monkeys to survive the flight into space were named Able and Baker, or... Miss Able and Miss Baker. Where did the rhesus monkey named Able live before blasting off into space?

Grinter Farms near Lawrence (Photo by Micah Naeger, taken in 2018)

Helianthus annuus - July 12, 2019

KPR Staff – Fri, 07/12/2019 - 09:15

Q: The state of Kansas has been known by a number of nicknames, including the Wheat State, the Jayhawker State and the Breadbasket of the World. Arguably, the most popular nickname for Kansas is the Sunflower State. Out of all the counties in Kansas (there are 105!), which one produces the most sunflowers?

Rags to Riches! - July 5, 2019

KPR Staff – Fri, 07/05/2019 - 09:05

Q: He went from living at Lone Star Trailer Court in Pittsburg, Kansas, to leading one of the world's largest retail companies. What's the name of the man who was born in Baxter Springs, graduated from Pittsburg State University and later became president and CEO of Wal-Mart?

Big Brutus, the second largest electric coal shovel in the world, on display in West Mineral, Kansas. While it's not the biggest one ever built, it's the biggest one still in existence. (Photo from Wikipedia)

Unusual Attractions - June 28, 2019

KPR Staff – Fri, 06/28/2019 - 09:08

Q: Many Kansans already know about Big Brutus. That's the enormous, electric, coal-mining shovel on display in southeast Kansas. The big shovel has been back in the news this month because something else has been added to the display at the Big Brutus Visitor's Center in West Mineral, Kansas. What's been added?

Hyer Brothers Shoe and Boot Shop, Olathe, Kansas, circa 1880s (Photo from Johnson County Museum)

Tall Tales from the Old West - June 21, 2019

KPR Staff – Fri, 06/21/2019 - 05:00

Q: According to some western lore and tradition, Charles Hyer, a shoemaker in Olathe, invented the very first one of these in the mid 1870s. But others claim it was invented in Abilene or Coffeyville. What was it?

Dymaxion House at its 1948-1991 site, near Andover, Kansas. (Photo from The Henry Ford Museum, where you can now tour the house.)

Kansas Manufacturing and the Space Race - June 14, 2019

KPR Staff – Fri, 06/14/2019 - 09:25

Q: Vending machines, pie plates, a corn harvester and the futuristic Dymaxion House, which looks like a flying saucer. All of these things were made by the same Kansas company that also supplied products for NASA's Gemini, Apollo, and space shuttle programs. What's the name of this innovative Kansas company?

Old tractor parked near a field full of sunflowers, Stafford County, Kansas (Photo by J. Schafer)

Place Names and Named Places - June 7, 2019

KPR Staff – Fri, 06/07/2019 - 09:14

Q: There are lots of towns in other states named after Kansas, Kansas City or the Kansas Territory. For instance, there's a place called "Little Kansas" in Pennsylvania and a "Kansas Settlement" in Arizona. There's a "Kansasville, Wisconsin," a "Kansas City, Oregon" and, of course, the city in Missouri named "Kansas City." Beyond these examples, can you name ANY OTHER state that has a city or town specifically named "Kansas?" Do Not count Kansas City, Kansas, in your answer.

An album cover from 1955 with Latin music honoring matadors and bullfighting. (Photo by J. Schafer)

Eso No Es Toro... and That's No Bull - May 31, 2019

KPR Staff – Fri, 05/31/2019 - 09:07

Q: The nation's first bullfight was held in 1884. The two-day event was held on July 4 and 5 in which Kansas town?

Sporty, Sporting Sports...of Sorts - May 17, 2019

KPR Staff – Fri, 05/17/2019 - 05:00

Q: The largest sporting event in the world is the World Cup. So far, only one native Kansan has played in the World Cup. What's his name and hometown?

Hoover Dam, along the Colorado River in Arizona and Nevada, built in part by Bechtel Corporation in 1931.

Captains of Industry - May 10, 2019

KPR Staff – Fri, 05/10/2019 - 09:12

Q: Bechtel Corporation was one of six companies that joined forces to build the Hoover Dam in 1931. The founder of Bechtel Corporation grew up in a small Kansas town. Who was the founder -- and from which Kansas high school did he graduate?

This memorial can be seen at the Paxico Safety Rest Area, along Interstate 70, in Wabaunsee County. (Photo by J. Schafer)

May 3, 2019 - Markers, Monuments & Memorials

KPR Staff – Fri, 05/03/2019 - 09:12

Q: At a rest stop along I-70 in Wabaunsee County, visitors can see a structure made from five, large, upright panels of limestone. The purpose of this structure is to honor and memorialize a certain group of people. Tell us who.

Transom window to the governor's office in the Kansas Statehouse (Photo by J. Schafer)

Kansas Women, Politics & Power - April 26, 2019

KPR Staff – Fri, 04/26/2019 - 10:21

Q: Last week, we talked about the first female mayors of Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri - Carol Marinovich and Kay Barnes - two graduates of the University of Kansas. This week's question concerns gubernatorial glory. A total of 20 states have never had a woman governor. Kansas has had three. Can you name all three?

Western entrance sign to the University of Kansas (Photo by J. Schafer)

KU Women, Politics & Power - April 19, 2019

KPR Staff – Fri, 04/19/2019 - 05:00

Q: In the 1990s, the two most power political leaders in the Kansas City metro area were women who had graduated from the University of Kansas. One was the mayor of Kansas City, Kansas... and the other was the mayor of Kansas City, Missouri. Name both of these groundbreaking women.

Into the Wild Blue Yonder - March 29, 2019

KPR Staff – Fri, 03/29/2019 - 09:17

Q: He just knew those STEM classes would pay off! First he graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a degree in astronautical engineering. Then, he got a master's degree from M.I.T. Today, he's the only Kansan hanging out on the International Space Station. What's his name and where is his hometown?

Sometimes called Old Glory or the Stars and Stripes, the American flag has long been a symbol of freedom, democracy and justice.

Truth, Justice & the American Way... and Don't "Fool" Around with the Law - March 22, 2019

KPR Staff – Fri, 03/22/2019 - 06:00

Q: On April 1st, something historic will take place in Lawrence. For the first time in 158 years, something will come to town that has never come to Lawrence before. What is it? What is coming to town on April Fool's Day?

Noah's Ark, just one of many floats seen at Biblesta, billed as the nation's "only Biblical parade."

Small Town Traditions - March 15, 2019

KPR Staff – Fri, 03/15/2019 - 10:09

Q: Billed as the "only Biblical parade in America," Biblesta has been going strong since the late 1950s. The next Biblesta will be held on October 5, 2019. Can you tell us where? What's the name of the Kansas town that holds this annual event?

Members of the 6888th, or "Six-Triple-Eight," as it was called. (Photo from U.S. Army)

Women of World War II - March 8, 2019

KPR Staff – Fri, 03/08/2019 - 09:09

Q: A monument at Fort Leavenworth honors a unique U.S. Army unit that has the distinction of being the only all-African American, all-female unit sent overseas during World War II. The women of the Central Postal Directory Battalion kept mail flowing to nearly seven million soldiers in the European Theater. What's the numeric designation of this army battalion?

The John Brown mural, known as "Tragic Prelude," at the Kansas Statehouse. (Photo by J. Schafer)

American Civil War - March 1, 2019

KPR Staff – Fri, 03/01/2019 - 05:00

Q: After more than three decades of effort, a former Civil War-era port and stop on the Underground Railroad is getting national recognition. This week, the U.S. Congress voted to make this place in Kansas City, Kansas, a national commemorative site. What's the name of this place?

The 23rd Annual Kansas Silent Film Festival runs Friday and Saturday (Feb 22 & 23) at Washburn University's White Concert Hall. Admission is free!

Stars of the Silent Silver Screen - February 22, 2019

KPR Staff – Fri, 02/22/2019 - 00:00

Q: The Kansas Silent Film Festival runs today (FRI) and tomorrow (SAT) at Washburn University's White Concert Hall in Topeka. (Admission is FREE!) One of the biggest stars of the silent film era was Buster Keaton, who was born right here in Kansas. Do you know where? Give us the name of Buster Keaton's birthplace.

This lonesome tree is located in the Flint Hills, west of Alma, Kansas. (Photo by J. Schafer)

Native American Place Names - February 15, 2019

KPR Staff – Fri, 02/15/2019 - 09:08

Q: A number of Kansas counties are named after Native American tribes, including Cherokee, Cheyenne, Comanche and Shawnee. But only one Kansas county is named after an American Indian tribal leader. What's the name of the only Kansas county named after an American Indian leader?

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