QUIZ 30

Q1
The idea came to Swiss engineer, George de Mestral one day after returning from a hunting trip with his dog in the Alps. He took a close look at the burrs (seeds) of burdock that kept sticking to his clothes and his dog's fur. He examined them under a microscope, and noted their hundreds of "hooks" that caught on anything with a loop, such as clothing, animal fur, or hair. What did this lead to?

Q2
The first was sent in the United Kingdom on 3 December 1992, from Neil Papworth of Sema Group (now Airwide Solutions) using a personal computer to Richard Jarvis. The contents were two words, "Merry Christmas". What was it?

Q3
Many believe he's the only head of state to use the Internet daily as
a means of communicating with his subjects as well as people outside
the country. The royal site also details royal activities - state
visits, aid to the poor - and some of the East Asian country's modern
history. Name him.

Q4
It was founded in 1248 by William II, Count of Holland, who was
supposed to become Holy Roman Emperor. He started the construction of
a castle in a forest near the sea in Holland, where he intended to
live after his coronation. He died in battle before he could be
crowned. It is now the seat of government, but, somewhat anomalously,
not the capital of the country. What are we talking about?

Q5
In 16th century Europe when peasant homes were commonly thatched, the home was constructed in such a manner that animals could crawl into the thatch and find shelter from the elements, and would fall out during heavy rain. Which phrase did this lead to?

Q6
Leonardo da Vinci is frequently credited with introducing the general principle of _____ _______ in his 1508 Codex of the eye, Manual D, where he described a method of directly altering corneal power by submerging the eye in a bowl of water. FITB.

Q7
She married him in November of 1582 while pregnant with his child. She
was 26 years old when she married, whereas he was only 18. This age
difference and her pregnancy have been used by some historians as
evidence that this was a "shotgun wedding" forced on a reluctant
husband by her family. They also infer that his persistent traveling
suggested an unloving marriage. Three children were born by her:
Susanna in 1583 and Twins Hamnet and Judith in 1585. Who are
we talking about?

Q8
Who is the Greek god of wine?

Q9
It is a medieval book on magic originally attributed to a King. It is sometimes used as a grimoire. It is divided into two books. Book I contains conjurations, invocations and curses to summon and constrain spirits of the dead and demons, forcing them to do the operator's will. It also describes how to find stolen items, become invisible, gain favour and love, and so on. Book II describes various purifications which the operator (termed "exorcist") should undergo, how they should clothe themselves, how the magical implements used in their operations should be constructed, and what animal sacrifices should be made to the spirits. Which book?

Q10
It has been a Eurasian practice at least since Neolithic times. Ötzi the Iceman, dating from the fourth to fifth millennium BC, was found in the Ötz valley in the Alps and had approximately 57 carbon 'ones' consisting of simple dots and lines on his lower spine, behind his left knee, and on his right ankle. Other mummies bearing them and dating from the end of the second millennium BC have been discovered at Pazyryk on the Ukok Plateau. What are we talking about?

Q11
Identify the person shown in the above image. (Hint: A famous movie has been made and named after her.)

The Early Bird: Vivek, Baroda

ANSWERS