Rad 1980s Inventions
I can’t believe it’s not this dairy product.
What is butter? Unilever used to own the brand and changed its name to I Can’t Believe It’s So Good… For Everything! in England. It’s still I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! in the United States and Canada.
Wellington is the capital of this island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Its official bird is the kiwi.
What is New Zealand? Humans make up five percent of the country’s inhabitants, and animals make up the other 95 percent.
This North American city has the largest subway system by ridership and transit stations
What is New York City? The NYC subway system opened in 1904. Its tracks, if laid in a straight line, would stretch from New York City to Chicago.
This bearded Leonardo is rarely mentioned without Mona Lisa attached to his name
Who is Da Vinci? He was considered a virtuoso during his lifetime. He was a true Renaissance man.
Born June 23, 1929, in Appalachia, this June was married to Johnny, who is known for his hit “Folsom Prison Blues.”
Who is June Carter Cash? Walk the Line, starring Reese Witherspoon as June Carter Cash, is a movie based on June and Johnny Cash’s love story.
This transdermal invention to help with quitting smoking was invented in 1984.
What is nicotine patch? The invention was patented in 1985 but only became available by prescription in 1992
Incorrectly known as Holland, this is the official name of the European country.
What is the Netherlands? Holland correctly refers to one region of the country. Amsterdam became the capital of the Netherlands in 1983; before that, the Hague was the capi
This is a vessel that travels under the sea.
What is a submarine? Connecticut inventor David Bushnell designed the first submarine before the American Revolutionary War
This bearded Fidel ran Cuba with an iron fist.
Who is Castro? After his death, his brother Raúl took over
Born June 25, 1925, she will forever be remembered as Lassie’s “mother.”
Who is June Lockhart? She debuted at the Metropolitan Opera when she was eight years old. Her father was actor Gene Lockhart, who had many film and television credits from the 1920s through the 1950s
In 1982, an artificial and temporary replacement for this organ was invented to keep patients alive while they awaited a transplant.
What is heart? Today, doctors still use an artificial heart for some patients awaiting a transplant.
This is a Scandinavian country that is one of the “Land of the Midnight Sun” countries
What is Norway? The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway.
These flat-bottom boats run through the canals in Venice, Italy.
What are gondolas? They were one of the major forms of transportation for local Venetians. Today, they serve as a popular tourist attraction, but locals also use them as water taxis.
This bearded Abraham is considered one of America’s greatest presidents.
Who is Lincoln? His beard is known as a chinstrap beard. Before growing his beard, the Charleston Mercury wrote that he was a “horrid-looking wretch.
Born June 13, 1926, he occupied the center square on Hollywood Squares for 15 year
Who is Paul Lynde? While studying drama, three of his famous classmates were Charlotte Rae, Patricia O’Neal, and Charlton Heston.
This invention that succeeded the cassette tape was developed in the 1980s.
What is CD or compact disc? CD audiophiles were thrilled to no longer deal with flimsy, tangled, and broken tapes. Today, the DVD looks like a CD, but it holds much more information, including full-length feature films.
This Central American country was home to the Sandinistas during the 1970s and ’80
What is Nicaragua? In the mid-1850s, an American man seized the country and declared himself president. The Nicaraguan people, with the aid of Cornelius Vanderbilt, threw him out the following year.
This is the term for a kitchen on a ship or an airplane.
What is galley? Other than those found on a cruise ship or a large naval vessel, galleys do not have all the conveniences of home kitchens.
This bearded Charles developed the theory of evolution
Who is Darwin? Britannica.com reports, “Darwin at first shocked religious Victorian society by suggesting that animals and humans shared a common ancestry.
Born June 27, 1930, this businessman is the only third-party presidential candidate who made a respectable run for president in recent times.
Who is Ross Perot? In 1992, he led Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush in the presidential race, but he dropped out. He returned to the race but never did recoup enough to win the race
Tab diet soda was the immediate predecessor to this popular diet soda
What is Diet Coke? Coca-Cola continued to sell Tab until it was retired in 2020.
Lagos is the capital of this African country, which has the largest economy in Africa.
What is Nigeria? Export is largely responsible for the country’s No. 1 status, with petroleum accounting for over 90 percent of its exports.
This man launched the first space vehicle to the International Space Station. He is also the CEO of Tesla autos
Who is Elon Musk? In addition to co-founding SpaceX and Tesla, he has co-founded Neuralink and the Boring Company. Born in South Africa, he now holds American, Canadian, and South African citizenship.
This Beard was a famous chef and cookbook author.
Who is James? James Beard was the first chef to demonstrate cooking on a national network. He taught Craig Claiborne and Julia Childs at his school.
Born June 20, 1945, this Canadian singer’s top hits include “You Needed Me,” “Snowbird,” “Just Another Woman in Love,” and “Danny’s Song.”
Who is Anne Murray? Murray was the first Canadian female solo singer to reach No.1 on the U.S. charts.