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Belated Happy New Year to all from the UBCF desk. As you know, we took a break from our “Useless But Compelling Facts” in December, and although the break lasted longer than I planned, I am pleased to report – we’re back!

So let’s begin the new year of trivial information that is destined to spice up your social media chatter:

Just a little more than a year ago, then President-elect Barack Obama become the first President-elect in more than 50 years (since President Eisenhower waved a fond farewell from a train on his way to inauguration in 1953) to board a train and head for his inauguration in Washington, D.C. ‘Whistle-stop’ campaigns owe their etymology to train campaigning - probably the most well-known image of a President-elect on a train is the picture of Harry Truman (whose campaign train was nicknamed the “Victory Special”) holding up the Chicago Tribune’s previous day’s headline incorrectly proclaiming “Dewey Defeats Truman”.

The President-elect tradition of coming to Washington, D.C. from Philadelphia by train is often credited as having originated, through a convoluted series of surreptitious changes and disguises, with Abraham Lincoln – who was a railroad lawyer before his ascendency in U.S. politics. But alas, President-elect Lincoln was not the first to make such a train trip.

Tell us, which President-elect was the first to do so? Be the first with the correct answer and be awarded the first prize of 2010. Send your answers to jrosenbaum@reedsmith.com.

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Wishing you health, happiness, prosperity and peace in 2010

In a tradition that started almost 4,000 years ago by the ancient Babylonians – although they celebrated the new year upon seeing the first new moon after the vernal equinox – please enjoy a very happy, safe and joyous new year celebration.  Those of you who look forward to Useless But Compelling Facts can read more about the history of new year celebrations, or how the new year’s festivities, now televised around the world, began in New York’s Times Square.

 
This is the first year we have published in a blog format, and with your feedback – mostly positive and always constructive – and more than 17,000 visitors in slightly less than 11 months, I am grateful and appreciative for your support.  Thank you for reading Legal Bytes.

-  Joe Rosenbaum

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Last month we asked a three-part question about U.S. history: Who is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms; which president became Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court after leaving office; and who was the only president before 1900 to reach the ripe old age of 90 after leaving office? Four people got all three questions correct. In fourth place, a new name to Legal Bytes UBCF – Brad Mirkin. In third place, long-time fan and faithful Legal Bytes reader, Shari Gottesman. 

But in first and second, not only do we have two new winners (I couldn't resist giving both prizes), BUT we also have some unique coincidences. Now you can't make this up – I certainly didn't. First is Sam Dressler. In between stickball and poker games and the “Wall” in Washington Heights (J. Hood Wright Park), Sam and I grew up around the corner from each other in New York City. We went to elementary school and junior high school together, parted ways for a brief rivalry between Science and Stuyvesant in high school, and then reconnected in our university days. In fact, we became fraternity brothers in Beta Sigma Rho – Xi Chapter, City College of the City University of New York.

Then in second place is Bernie Slome. I was a camp counselor (before I became a legal counselor) at Camp Beaver Lake (no longer in existence), and Bernie and I met on visiting day. You see, his younger brother Mark was one of my campers. Bernie was attempting to maul his brother with a Frisbee, while I was attempting to get a better tip by protecting him. Neither was particularly successful. Well it turns out that Bernie and I were to meet again (and Sam too). Bernie became a fraternity brother of both Sam and me during those college years, although Bernie was a much better Risk^® player than a poker player. Then again, during his fraternity days, in between brushing up on the stairway, he was extraordinary at keeping lookout for Mongolian hordes – hey, like Legal Bytes and the New York Lottery, you never know. So congratulations to Sam and Bernie, nice work Shari and Brad, and hats off to the coincidences that make such a big planet with billions of people, a very small world indeed!

As we do every year in December, we take a break from our trivia – I mean "Useless But Compelling Facts" – contest. But rest assured, we'll be back in 2010 to start the new decade challenging your physical and logical memories once again. 

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to everyone.

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Two months ago, our trivia contest asked about ex-Vice President Aaron Burr, who was arrested and ultimately acquitted of treason after he left office. There were so many responses that for our last question in 2009, we decided to give you some more Presidential trivia. Now Aaron Burr was hardly the worst of the ‘past’ Presidents or Vice-Presidents. Former President John Tyler (who left office in 1845), was a member of the Confederate Congress at the time of his death in 1862. But here are the questions for you to ponder and puzzle over this month: First, who is the only President of the United States to serve two non-consecutive terms? Second, which President is the only one who, after leaving office, became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States? OK, if you can guess the right answers to those two, you have one more hurdle to overcome to become the winner. Of the Presidents who served in the 20th Century, three of them - Herbert Hoover, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan - lived past 90. So for our third and final question of the year, we ask you to identify the only President before 1900 who reached the ripe old age of 90 after leaving Presidential office?

If you think you know the answers, a special new years’ 2010 prize will be yours if you are right AND first. Send your answers to me at jrosenbaum@reedsmith.com.

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Last month we asked you to identify an extraordinarily talented gentleman - a concert musician, composer and recipient of the French Legion d’Honneur award, who was fired as an actor by a Hollywood studio because his Adam’s apple was too large. He went on to become a legendary actor and director, among his many talents and credits. So kudos to Uri Weinstock, a member of the Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance (GALA) and avid Legal Bytes reader, whose correct answer came to us first from San Jose, Costa Rica – none other than Clint Eastwood! Congratulations Uri.

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Now this month, we highlight another famous individual, very much alive and extraordinarily talented – but not in the political arena; rather, in music and the arts. In addition to being widely regarded as a legendary actor and director – he’s directed about 16 motion pictures in the past two decades (more, by the way, than Steven Spielberg and George Lucas) - this gentleman has played at Carnegie Hall, has recorded pop songs on an album (remember them?), and has achieved greater success in music circles by composing and scoring some of his own films. He has even been awarded the French Legion d’Honneur award. This gentleman – as a human being and professional – started from modest beginnings. His Hollywood career pretty much began when he was hired by Universal Studios for about $75 a week. He dug pools to subsidize an aspiring actor’s income, and he was fired by the studio because they decided his Adam’s apple was too large! Think you know who this extraordinary man might be? If so, send your answer first and fast directly to me at jrosenbaum@reedsmith.com.

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Last month we asked you to identify the only President or Vice President to have been arrested for treason (although ultimately acquitted). Shari Gottesman, long-time reader, fan and avid trivia buff, again chimed in first and fastest with the correct answer. None other than Aaron Burr, former Vice President of the United States, although probably best known for the duel July 11, 1804, which resulted in fatally wounding Alexander Hamilton. When Burr’s term as Vice President ended in 1805, he went West, where far-fetched rumors abounded concerning his desire to establish a monarchy by claiming seceded territory from the United States. Burr was arrested in 1807 and brought to trial on charges of treason, for which he was acquitted. He then began a number of years of self-imposed exile in Europe, but eventually returned to New York to practice law, essentially a recluse until his death.

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By the way, one of the first modern day robots was a “robotherapist” named Eliza, created by famed science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov in 1942. In yet another example of life imitating art, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor Joseph Weizenbaum wrote a program in 1966 he called Eliza – a program of only 240 lines of code designed to simulate a psychotherapist by responding to questions with more questions!

Now this month we have a simpler question. Presidents and Vice Presidents have come under fire many times in the history of the United States, from impeachment proceedings to Congressional investigative hearings.  But as far as I know, only one has actually been arrested for treason – although he was ultimately acquitted. Curiously, although virtually anyone who has studied American political history will know his name instantly, it almost always will be in the context of another famous event in U.S. history and not his arrest.  Who is it and what’s the other famous event? If you think you know, send your answer first and fast directly to me.

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Last month we mentioned that although the first use of the term “robot” emanates from the play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots), first published in 1921 by Czech playwright Karel Čapek, the term was actually suggested to him (or so the history relates) by someone else – and we asked you to tell us who.  Well congratulations to Kevin Kim, Information Privacy Officer at Alberta Education in Edmonton, who correctly told us it was Karel’s brother, Josef Čapek, who suggested the term. The word entered the English language in 1923 when Karel’s play was translated into English. Thanks Kevin!

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While Oscar Wilde is credited with saying, "Life imitates art far more than art imitates Life", perhaps I can coin the phrase "Technology mimics living organisms far more than living organisms mimic Technology." Yes we have robotic arms, biotechnology and more, but come on – clouds, pods, viruses and worms – what’s next, social networks? What, they are here . . . did you miss that one?

In any event, that’s why it comes as no surprise to me the first use of the term "robot" is generally attributed to the wonderful Czech playwright Karel Čapek. Now Čapek never envisioned some metallic assemblage of mechanical parts. Oh no, he viewed robots more like our notion of androids - creations of chemistry. (I was a chemistry major at one point in life so I should have known this.) It probably also wouldn’t surprise you to learn the term "robotics" was first used in a short story ("Runaround") by the acclaimed science fiction writer, Isaac Asimov. But I digress again.

Now Čapek’s play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots), which was first published in 1921, used the Czech word robota, which in English translates to labor, and "Rossum" is generally considered to refer to the Czech word rozum, which translates to either "reason," "wisdom" or "common-sense." Now you know all this background is leading up to a useless but compelling question, right? Of course. There is actually some evidence that the term "robot" was suggested by someone else, before Čapek penned his work. Another writer to whom Čapek actually gave credit and attribution for the term may well deserve the credit. Can you identify who that might be? If you think you know, send your answer first and fast directly to me at jrosenbaum@reedsmith.com. 

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For last month’s contest, we extend our congratulations to first-time winner Kevin K. Forrester, who first sent us the key significant events that occurred July 4, 1826 – notably, in addition to being the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it was also the date both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died. Many other folks noted this was also the birth date of Stephen Collins Foster. Foster, often cited as the "father of American music," was the pre-eminent songwriter of the 19th century in the United States, publishing his first song when he was only 18. His songs remain popular to this day, with such favorites as "Oh! Susanna," "Camptown Races," "Old Folks at Home" (generally known as "Swanee River"), "My Old Kentucky Home," and "Beautiful Dreamer." Foster was born and lived in a part of what is now Pittsburgh (Lawrenceville).

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This month we’ll make it simple. July 4, 1826. Identify the significance. The person with the most correct answers who is first to respond, will be the winner. Send your responses to me at jrosenbaum@reedsmith.com. Good luck.

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Congratulations (AGAIN) to Shari Gottesman who correctly told us that “Old” Tom Morris won the British Open four times (1861, 1862, 1864, and 1867), and holds the record as the oldest winner of The British Open Championship at the ripe old age of 46—a record that stands for 142 years at this point. Shari also told us that not only does he hold the record for the largest winning margin (13 strokes ahead of second place, in 1862), but also that he and his son hold the record as the only father/son to be both winner and runner-up in the same match (“Young” Tom beat his father in 1869!). More prizes...

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Now this month, those of you who follow golf may have been disappointed by Tom Watson’s second-place finish at the British Open. But some of you traditionalists may know that his loss actually preserved a 142-year-old record set by someone else at the British Open. In fact, the very same gentleman actually holds two records—both of which have withstood the test of more than a century of challenges. Can you identify both of the records held and who holds them?

Remember, please send your answers directly to me at jrosenbaum@reedsmith.com. Good luck.

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Last month we tried to stimulate your thinking about the origins of the privacy provisions of Gramm-Leach-Bliley—an afterthought to the original purposes of the Act. Congratulations to Matthew Krigbaum, Assistant General Counsel of Transamerica Capital Management, a long-time fan and loyal Legal Bytes follower, for getting the right answer, first. Originally, GLBA did not contain privacy provisions (Title V), but during a “mark up” session in the Commerce Committee, Rep. Markey (D-Col.) introduced an amendment adding these privacy protections. While it originally looked as if the amendment might not get anywhere, Rep. Joe Barton (R-Tex.) unexpectedly announced his support and . . well, you know the rest. It appears that Rep. Barton became concerned about his own privacy when Victoria’s Secret catalogs began to show up at his Washington, D.C., residence, raising his suspicion that his credit union had shared his address with Victoria’s Secret.

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Legal Bytes has traditionally focused on convergence—notably, the convergence of advertising, media and entertainment, health care, financial services, and social interaction, with technology. In each case, technology is changing the way we interact with each other and the world around us, and our job is to pick out the legal implications and enlighten you or stimulate your thinking, or—we hope—both. 

This month we would like to stimulate your thinking with an interesting legal question related to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”) and a “secret” not many know. Most consumers in the United States and abroad think of GLBA as a privacy protection statute—Title V of GLBA requires financial institutions to give individuals notice and the ability to control certain kinds of information-sharing. Did you know Title V might not have made it into GLBA were it not for Victoria’s Secret? So tell us what you know about the connection and we’ll reward you with a prize.

Remember—please DON’T send your answers to the Legal Bytes blog; send them directly to me at jrosenbaum@reedsmith.com. Good luck.

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Last month we asked a follow-up question about Charles Darwin. Specifically, what did he and Abraham Lincoln have in common. While there were plenty of “common” themes—both were considered radical or revolutionary, both had mothers who died relatively young and within a year of each other, and both considered slavery immoral—the one single indisputable thing they shared, despite being born on two different continents, was the same birthday—Feb. 12, 1809. The first person with the right answer was our avid reader and long-time fan, Matthew Krigbaum, Assistant General Counsel at Transamerica Capital Management. Thanks Matt; a prize is on the way!

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Last month we broke new ground – one intended and the other completely took us by surprise. The expected break with tradition came as our blog format allowed us to use a visual clue for our Useless But Compelling Fact. We showed you this picture . . . .

and asked you to identify the person shown. Although we originally noted that “Unexpectedly, not a single person knew this was Charles Darwin.” We were WRONG. Stuck in the SPAM filter was one brilliant and completely correct answer “Charles Darwin” from John Donald, Senior Counsel at Apple! Congratulations John and given both the degree of difficulty and the fact that you were the only answer this month (trust me, a rarity), we're sending you not one, but two prizes. Thanks.

And. . .we are leaving this month’s question up for the remainder of this month. What did Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln have in common (Hint: ‘neither are alive today’ is not the right answer.) Remember – please DON’T send your answers to the Legal Bytes blog, send them directly to me at jrosenbaum@reedsmith.com. Good luck.

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Since we stumped you last month and blogs are notorious for "thread continuity," I’m going to continue this one and go one better . . .

This month we would like you to tell us what Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln have in common. Remember—please DO NOT send your answers to the Legal Bytes blog, send them directly to me at jrosenbaum@reedsmith.com. Good luck.

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Last month we broke new ground—twice! One time was intended, and the other took us completely by surprise. The expected break with tradition came as our blog format allowed us to use a visual clue for our Useless But Compelling Fact. We showed you this picture . . .

. . . and asked you to identify the person shown. Unexpectedly, not a single person knew this was Charles Darwin.

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This month, we break new ground (now that we have a web-based format) by having our first ‘visual’ useless, but compelling fact. Years ago, American Express had an extraordinarily successful, long running ad campaign - the “Do You Know Me?” series. They would select very famous people – people who’s name you would instantly recognize, but more than likely would never know what they looked like – and showcase them in ads. Until they held up their American Express Cards imprinted with their famous names, you might be scratching your head wondering who they are. So take a look at this and we ask you:  

“Do you know me?”

Good luck and send your answers to me, Joe Rosenbaum at jrosenbaum@reedsmith.com.

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Last month’s correct answer came almost simultaneously from Florida, New York and India – from long time Legal Bytes readers Shari Gottesman, Richard Fine and Lubna Kably. I WILL send you each a prize! Their correct answer is the group of islands known as Tierra del Fuego (Land of the Fire), off the coast South America (1 large, 5 medium and many small islands and inlets). Unfortunately, the original native population was ravaged by disease brought by explorers and settlers and since 1881, Tierra del Fuego has had divided ownership. The eastern portion belongs to Argentina and the Western to Chile. Thanks for all your responses and remember – DON’T send your answers to the Legal Bytes blog, send them directly to me at jrosenbaum@reedsmith.com or it won’t count.

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This month, we would like you to identify a place that is made up of one main island and a few smaller islands, and that is partially owned by two different countries (including the main island, which remains divided to this day). All of the original native inhabitants died from disease brought by explorers many years ago, and while the native language was so guttural it did not have an alphabet, those who studied the original tribal culture believe it actually had more words than the English language. Last hint—it was first discovered by Magellan in 1520. What is the name of this place?  Think you know the answer, send it to me.

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Shari Gottesman and Richard Fine, long-time Legal Bytes’ readers, were essentially tied in getting me the correct answer to the last trivia question about what Gene Rodenberry, Smithers on The Simpsons, the sci-fi film Hangar 18, and the block-building game Jenga!, all have in common. Well, Star Trek’s Lieutenant Uhuru’s name means “freedom” in Swahili; Smithers speaks Swahili (Marge’s resume says she speaks Swahili, but she’s lying); the speech system on the alien spaceship in Hangar 18 is a Swahili phrasebook; and Jenga comes from the Swahili word “kujenga,” which means “to build.” Swahili is a Bantu language spoken by thousands of people on the southeastern coast of Africa.

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This month we are making it tougher. We would like you tell us what Gene Rodenberry, Smithers on The Simpsons, the sci-fi film Hangar 18, and the block-building game Jenga! all have in common. Think you know the answer, send it to me.

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Last month we asked you to tell us a city name found on every continent? I confess this was a trick question - if you include Antarctica, the answer is “none.” Unfair? Probably. But three people gave us the correct answer, all within seconds of each other and noted the answer that would have been right if I had excluded Antarctica. Kudos to long-time readers and prior winners John Falco at MTV Networks and Randy Henrick at DealerTrack, and to newcomer Karen Baumann at Team Detroit, JWT, Y&R, Wunderman, Ogilvy, GroupM. Each correctly told us the city of Roma (not Rome) can be found on every continent except Antarctica.

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This month we would like you tell us a city name that can be found on every continent on Earth. Think you know the answer, send it to me. If you are first with the correct and complete answer, you win.

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Last month we asked you to tell us where the expression “passing the buck” or “the buck stops here” came from. This month’s winner comes to us from Australia, where Peter Le Guay, a Partner of Thomson Playford Cutlers and member of the Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance (“GALA”), correctly noted that in the latter half of the 1800s, the game of poker became very popular in the United States, with no shortage of “cheats.” To minimize cheating, the dealer regularly changed and the individual next to deal was given a marker—usually a knife with a handle made from a buck’s horn. The marker became known as a “buck” and “passing the buck” meant card dealing was passed to the next person. There is widespread belief that as time went on, silver dollars were used, and the use of “buck” as slang for a dollar originated.

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Reaching for that bottled water? At an average of $1.49 per bottle, that comes to $21/gallon. You could supercharge your tank with Starbucks coffee at $12+ per gallon. Better yet, Bud Light at $9.73 per gallon looks like a bargain—although good ol’ Vitamin D milk checks in at only $3.50/gallon. Now when compared with Absolut Vodka at about $58 per gallon or Chanel No. 5 perfume at $25,600 per gallon—well gasoline doesn’t sound all that expensive, does it?

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In times of turmoil, everyone seeks to blame someone else. Especially with our financial institutions in jeopardy, everyone seems to be passing the buck. One might think the expression derives from the almighty dollar, or from a hunting expedition that forgoes any stag with insufficient points, or that someone saved from the brink, instead of “kicking the bucket” might pass the buck. Sorry, all of these are wrong. So where did the expression “passing the buck” or “the buck stops here” come from? Think you know, send your answer to me.

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Last month we asked you to tell us how Hicks was awarded Olympic Gold in the 1904 games, even though he didn’t actually cross the finish line first. This month’s prize winner comes to us from The Hague, Netherlands. where Cor van den Beukel at Shell Information Technology correctly noted that Frederick Lorz appeared at the finish first—unfortunately, it was discovered he enjoyed a leisurely ride in a car from mile 9 to 18, and with Lorz disqualified, the medal went to Hicks. Congratulations, Cor!!

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As the Olympics came to a close, I was reminded of Thomas Hicks in the 1904 Olympic marathon in Missouri who, when starting to fail around the 19th mile, had his coach hand him a prepared cocktail—cognac, egg whites and 1/60th grain sulfate of strychnine—yes, the rat poison! A second dose with only a few miles to go apparently kept him going (another would likely have killed him), but alas, he crossed the finish line second. But the person who came in first was disqualified and Hicks was ultimately awarded the Gold Medal—notwithstanding his almost comatose state. Who was the disqualified athlete and for what? Send your answer to me.

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Last month we asked you about two individuals who had the courage to print the Declaration of Independence—a hanging offense at the time. The fastest right answer—coming in two emails before anyone else fired off a single one—comes from John Falco, a long-standing Legal Bytes reader. He correctly told us that after Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson’s handwritten copy was sent a few blocks away to John Dunlap’s print shop at 48 Market Street. Then, in January 1777, the Continental Congress ordered signed copies to be more widely distributed and hired Mary Katherine Goddard to do the job. In addition to being the first American woman postmaster, she operated the Maryland Journal, a Baltimore newspaper, and owned a print shop where the copies were made.

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There are two forgotten heroes in the saga of America’s struggle for independence who could easily have been hanged for treason. After the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776, John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, together with Charles Thomson, then Secretary of State, sent Thomas Jefferson’s handwritten copy to someone to be printed (200 copies bearing only the signatures of Hancock and Thomson were printed). Then in January 1777, the Continental Congress, wanting signed copies to receive wider circulation, asked another person to undertake the dangerous job. This time, copies contained the typeset names of all 56 signatories. Legal Bytes wants to know who are these brave printers to whom we owe our gratitude? Acknowledgement to Antonio Perez, Chairman and CEO of Kodak, for the article that enlightened me—and now, hopefully, you. If you know the answer, send it to me.

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Last month we asked you how Jack Benny got his stage name. Congratulations to Nigel Sloam, principal in Nigel Sloam & Co. in London—long-time client and friend—who gave us the correct, speediest response. Jack Benny was born Benjamin Kubelsky in Chicago on Valentine’s Day, 1894. His parents lived in nearby Waukegan and there, working as a violinist in the pit band of a local Vaudeville house, Benjamin broke into show business. He hit the road working with a female pianist in an act known as “Salisbury and Kubelsky—From Grand Opera to Ragtime,” but when concert violinist Jan Kubelik’s lawyer objected to the comedic violin-playing and similarities in name, Benjamin changed his name to Ben Benny. With a new partner, “Benny and Woods” continued, but when World War I broke out, Benny enlisted, working in a Navy-sponsored revue touring the Midwest. After the war, Benny went back to vaudeville, doing a monologue as “Ben K. Benny, Fiddleology and Fun.” Although he changed the spelling to “Bennie,” Ben Bernie, an entertainer (also a violinist-bandleader who did monologues), had been doing a similar act longer and guess what—his lawyer contacted young Kubelsky objecting to the similar names. This time, Benjamin changed his stage name for the last time to Jack Benny. The rest, as they say, is history.

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Many of you will remember (or look up) an extraordinary comic who played the violin, had a butler-friend named Rochester, and who—until the day he died—stated his age as 39. The comic was Jack Benny, who started in Vaudeville, remained lifelong friends with Zeppo Marx (whose birth name was actually Herbert Marks), and brought audiences to tears with facial expressions, comic timing and comedy—in Vaudeville, on radio and television—for decades. But Jack Benny wasn’t his real name; so this month we want you to not only tell us what his real name was, but also describe just how he got to be “Jack Benny.” Know the answer? Send it to me.

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Last month we asked you to tell us what former Major League Baseball All-Star Pitcher became a dentist when he left the game? Our winner this month was Roy Trout at SunTrust Banks, who was first and fastest in pitching the answer to us. Although Jim Lonborg never actually appeared in the All-Star Game, he was on the roster and went on to become a dentist after retiring from baseball.

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This month we want to know what former Major League Baseball All Star Pitcher became a dentist once he finally left the game of baseball. Send your answer to me.

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Our prize for last month goes to long-standing reader and Legal Bytes’ friend, Debbie Kaste, Director of Legal Operations Support for Hilton Hotels. She (very quickly and quite correctly) knew why so many children’s toy coin banks are in the shape of a pig. In Middle English, “pygg” referred to a dense type of orange clay used in Europe for making household jars, dishes and cookware. When people saved coins in kitchen pots and jars made of this clay, the jars became known as “pygg jars” and at some point in the 18th Century, some English potter misunderstood the word and starting making coin-collecting jars in the shape of a pig—hence the pig or “piggy” bank. By the way, it is still illegal in France to name a pig Napoleon.

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Anyone notice the TYPO last month? Want a prize? Dig out last month’s issue (March 2008). The first five win. Ah, but now back to this month: did you know Charlie Chaplin once won third prize in a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest? But again I digress. This month we are curious as to why so many children’s toy coin banks are in the shape of a pig. Know the answer? Send it to me.

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Last month we asked you to identify the nation that is the oldest democracy on earth. This prompted a variety of answers, since nation, as many of you pointed out, could include the “Six Nations of the Iroquois” (Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, Senecas, and Tuscaroras). It might also include the Republic of San Marino, founded in the 4th century A.D. by St. Marinus who fled to escape Christian persecution, or the world’s oldest democratic kingdom established in Kalinga in Northern India approximately 300 B.C.—alas no more. Of course one of our astute readers noted if “oldest” also meant continuous it would put the Isle of Man in the running—its Parliament has been continuously operating since 979 A.D. But after all is said and done (and more said than actually done), we award this month’s prize to Al Teich at the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, D.C., who correctly noted that Iceland, whose parliament (the Althing) was formed by the Vikings in 930, is the oldest democracy still in operation, and who actually visited Thingvellir, the Icelandic site of the first democratically elected parliament.

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This month we want to know if you can identify the nation that holds the title of the oldest democracy on earth. Send your answers to me.

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Last issue we asked if you can tell us how many times, since official records have been kept, Niagara Falls has frozen over completely. Congratulations to Shari Gottesman, one of our loyal readers and a past prize winner, who very quickly responded by correctly telling me that the flow of water is too great for all of Niagara Falls to completely freeze—although there have been ice bridges that have formed and the American Falls were stopped six times since records have been kept because of ice jams. There are claims that the Falls completely froze in 1911, and in 1912, people were allowed to walk across the ice bridges even though water was still flowing underneath. Unfortunately, the bridges broke and the practice halted. Congratulations Shari, and I’m going to figure out a bigger prize for your loyalty!

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In this world of concern over global warming, can you tell me how many times it has been, at least since official records have been kept, that Niagara Falls has actually frozen over completely? Send your answers to me.

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Shhhhh! We can’t announce that Thomas Grace at AT&T correctly answered the November 2007 question. He knew the interesting film coincidence in which Mai Ling, who played Mei-Lei, a stewardess who happened to be a spy on a plane in the 1964 James Bond motion picture “Goldfinger,” also played a stewardess and again happened to be a spy on a plane, in the 1969 movie, “The Chairman,” starring Gregory Peck and Anne Heywood.

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