Thursday 8 December 2011

Fact


Ships & Boats
• The cruise liner, Queen Elizabeth 2, moves only six inches for each gallon of diesel that it burns.
• The world's oldest surviving boat is a simple 10 feet long dugout dated to 7400 BC. It was discovered in
Pesse Holland in the Netherlands.
• Rock drawings from the Red Sea site of Wadi Hammamat, dated to around 4000 BC show that
Egyptian boats were made from papyrus and reeds.
• The world's earliest known plank-built ship, made from cedar and sycamore wood and dated to 2600
BC, was discovered next to the Great Pyramid in 1952.
• The Egyptians created the first organized navy in 2300 BC.
• Oar-powered ships were developed by the Sumerians in 3500 BC.
• Sails were first used by the Phoenicians around 2000 BC.
Silicon Chip
A chip of silicon a quarter-inch square has the capacity of the original 1949 ENIAC computer, which occupied
a city block.
Skyscraper
The term skyscraper was first used way back in 1888 to describe an 11-story building.
Sound
Sound travels 15 times faster through steel than through the air.
Telephones
There are more than 600 million telephone lines today, yet almost half the world's population has never made
a phone call.
Television
Scottish inventor John Logie Baird gave the first public demonstration of television in 1926 in Soho, London.
Ten years later there were only 100 TV sets in the world.
Traffic Lights
Traffic lights were used before the advent of the motorcar. In 1868, a lantern with red and green signals was
used at a London intersection to control the flow of horse buggies and pedestrians.
Transistors
More than a billion transistors are manufactured... every second.
VCR's
The first VCR, made in 1956, was the size of a piano.

Windmill
The windmill originated in Iran in AD 644. It was used to grind grain.
World Trade Center
The World Trade Center towers were designed to collapse in a pancake-like fashion, instead of simply falling
over on their sides. This design feature saved hundreds, perhaps thousands of lives on Sept. 11, 2001, when
they were destroyed by terrorists.

Fact


E-Mail
The first e-mail was sent over the Internet in 1972.
Eye Glasses
The Chinese invented eyeglasses. Marco Polo reported seeing many pairs worn by the Chinese as early as
1275, 500 years before lens grinding became an art in the West.
Glass
If hot water is suddenly poured into a glass that glass is more apt to break if it is thick than if it is thin. This is
why test tubes are made of thin glass.
Hard Hats
Construction workers hard hats were first invented and used in the building of the Hoover Dam in 1933.
Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam was built to last 2,000 years. The concrete in it will not even be fully cured for another 500
years.
Limelight
Limelight was how we lit the stage before electricity was invented. Basically, illumination was produced by
heating blocks of lime until they glowed.
Mobile (Cellular) Phones
As much as 80% of microwaves from mobile phones are absorbed by your head.
Nuclear Power
Nuclear ships are basically steamships and driven by steam turbines. The reactor just develops heat to boil
the water.
Oil
The amount of oil that is used worldwide in one year is doubling every ten years. If that rate of increase
continues and if the world were nothing but oil, all the oil would be used up in 400 years.
Radio Waves
Radio waves travel so much faster than sound waves that a broadcast voice can be heard sooner 18,000 km
away than in the back of the room in which it originated.
Rickshaw
The rickshaw was invented by the Reverend Jonathan Scobie, an American Baptist minister living in
Yokohama, Japan, built the first model in 1869 in order to transport his invalid wife. Today it remains a
common mode of transportation in the Orient.

Fact


E-Mail
The first e-mail was sent over the Internet in 1972.
Eye Glasses
The Chinese invented eyeglasses. Marco Polo reported seeing many pairs worn by the Chinese as early as
1275, 500 years before lens grinding became an art in the West.
Glass
If hot water is suddenly poured into a glass that glass is more apt to break if it is thick than if it is thin. This is
why test tubes are made of thin glass.
Hard Hats
Construction workers hard hats were first invented and used in the building of the Hoover Dam in 1933.
Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam was built to last 2,000 years. The concrete in it will not even be fully cured for another 500
years.
Limelight
Limelight was how we lit the stage before electricity was invented. Basically, illumination was produced by
heating blocks of lime until they glowed.
Mobile (Cellular) Phones
As much as 80% of microwaves from mobile phones are absorbed by your head.
Nuclear Power
Nuclear ships are basically steamships and driven by steam turbines. The reactor just develops heat to boil
the water.
Oil
The amount of oil that is used worldwide in one year is doubling every ten years. If that rate of increase
continues and if the world were nothing but oil, all the oil would be used up in 400 years.
Radio Waves
Radio waves travel so much faster than sound waves that a broadcast voice can be heard sooner 18,000 km
away than in the back of the room in which it originated.
Rickshaw
The rickshaw was invented by the Reverend Jonathan Scobie, an American Baptist minister living in
Yokohama, Japan, built the first model in 1869 in order to transport his invalid wife. Today it remains a
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common mode of transportation in the Orient.

Fact


Aircraft Carrier
An aircraft carrier gets about 6 inches per gallon of fuel.
Airplanes
• The first United States coast to coast airplane flight occurred in 1911 and took 49 days.
• A Boeing 747s wingspan is longer than the Wright brother's first flight (120ft).
Aluminum
The Chinese were using aluminum to make things as early as 300 AD Western civilization didn't rediscover
aluminum until 1827.
Automobile
George Seldon received a patent in 1895 - for the automobile. Four years later, George sold the rights for
$200,000.
Coin Operated Machine
The first coin operated machine ever designed was a holy-water dispenser that required a five-drachma piece
to operate. It was the brainchild of the Greek scientist Hero in the first century AD.
Compact Discs
Compact discs read from the inside to the outside edge, the reverse of how a record works.
Computers
• ENIAC, the first electronic computer, appeared 50 years ago. The original ENIAC was about 80 feet
long, weighed 30 tons, had 17,000 tubes. By comparison, a desktop computer today can store a million
times more information than an ENIAC, and 50,000 times faster.
• From the smallest microprocessor to the biggest mainframe, the average American depends on over
264 computers per day.
• The first "modern" computer (i.e., general-purpose and program-controlled) was built in 1941 by Konrad
Zuse. Since there was a war going on, he applied to the German government for funding to build his
machines for military use, but was turned down because the Germans did not expect the war to last
beyond Christmas.
• The computer was launched in 1943, more than 100 years after Charles Babbage designed the first
programmable device. Babbage dropped his idea after he couldn't raise capital for it. In 1998, the
Science Museum in London, UK, built a working replica of the Babbage machine, using the materials
and work methods available at Babbage's time. It worked just as Babbage had intended.

Google



Google Facts - Interesting Facts about Google
Here are some amazing facts and figures about Google. Check out this collection of amazing facts about
Google. You are most welcome to share your thoughts or any other facts about Google in the comments
section below.
1. The name "Google" was an accident. It was a typo (spelling mistake) on the first check that they
received from investors who thought they were going for "Googol". So, instead of returning the check,
they decided to change the name from Googol to Google.
2. Google.com domain went online in September, 1997. Google has become the most powerful tool on
internet with its Search Engine and extremely successful Enterprise Services.
3. Eric Schmidt was appointed as Google CEO.
4. In just one year, 30 million pages were indexed by Google. The indexed page count crossed 1 billion in
July 2000.
5. In Feb 2003, Google acquired Blogger (One of the most popular Blogging Platform) and in Mar 2003
Google had launched its AdSense Program.
6. In Apr 2004, Google introduced its mailing service called Gmail to compete with MSN, Hotmail,
Yahoo!, Rediff, Indiatimes and others services available at that time.
7. In Aug 2004, Google released its first Initial Public Offering (IPO). By Nov 2004, 8 billion pages were
indexed by Google.
8. In the year 2006, Google acquired YouTube in the month of Oct by paying $1.65 billion USD.
9. In Nov 2007, Google announces its acquisition to the revolutionary Android Operating System.
10. By July 2008, 1 trillion pages were indexed by Google.
11. Last but not the least, in September 2008, Google brings a robust Browser called Chrome.
12. Standford University holds the Page Rank Patent for which Google offer its shares to the University.
In 2005, the University sold the Google shares for $336 million USD


General Awareness Questions for Competitive Exams - Part 2
This is the second part of the series of 40 general awareness questions and answers. Please feel free to
share your suggestions about this General Awareness Quiz in the form of comments.
41. When was the generic domain name (Top Level Domain - TLD) .com introduced?
(a) 1989
(b) 1985
(c) 1994
(d) 1991
Answer: (b)
42. Who is the prime minister of Israel?
(a) Benajamin Netanyahu
(b) Ariel Sharon
(c) Shaul Mofaz
(d) Goldamyer
Answer: (b)
43. What was the significant about the purchase of a kilo of lychees on the French island of Reunion, located
in the Indian Ocean?
(a) They were the first lot of lychees exported from India.
(b) It was the first official purchase using the new currency Euro.
(c) It was done by to commemorate the release of the new France with Princess Diana's image on it.
(d) None of these
Answer: (b)
44. Which brand had the highest number of Web searches in 2001?
(a) Google
(b) Marlboro
(c) Intel
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(d) Play Station
Answer: (d)
45. What is common to all of the following names - Eduardo Camano, Adolfo Rodriguez Saa, Ramon Puerta
and Fernando de la Rua?
(a) They were all former Presidents of Argentina.
(b) They are the dreaded drug lords of South America
(c) They own together 70% of the world's Silver mines.
(d) None of these
Answer: (a)
46. The video game system 'Xbox' is a product of
(a) Sega
(b) Sony
(c) Intel
(d) Microsoft
Answer: (d)
47. It was acknowledged as the second-most dangerous computer virus in history, after the Love Bug virus.
What is the name this virus that struck in 2001?
(a) Melissa
(b) Code Red
(c) C-Brain
(d) Major Domo
Answer: (b)
48. What does the letters XP stand for in the product Microsoft XP?
(a) Extended product
(b) Extra Pampering
(c) Experience
(d) Entry level product
Answer: (c)
49. Which business and media tycoon won the elections to become 'Head of State' in Italy amidst widespread
clouds of scandal?
(a) Guillani Giovanni
(b) Joe Pacci
(c) Antonio Machiaveli
(d) Silvio Berusconi
Answer: (d)
50. Which city is hosting the 14th Asian Games in 2004?
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(a) Manila
(b) Busan
(c) Beijing
(d) Bangkok
Answer: (b)
51. Under what name is MTNL marketing its GSM based mobile telephony?
(a) Swarna
(b) Dolphin
(c) Speed
(d) Vayu
Answer: (b)
52. What is the name of the branded petrol with cleansing additives that is being marketed by HPCL?
(a) Power
(b) Premium
(c) Speed
(d) Clean X
Answer: (a)
53. Under what name is MTNL marketing its CDMA based WiLL service in Mumbai and Delhi?
(a) Dolphin
(b) Swarna
(c) Garuda
(d) Seema
Answer: (c)
54. To which business group did the Ambanis (Reliance Group) sell their holding in L&T (Larsen and
Toubro)?
(a) RP Goenkas
(b) A V Birla
(c) Kanorias
(d) Mittals
Answer: (b)
55. Name the brand that was launched and promoted by a famous father-son duo.
(a) ICICI Credit cards
(b) Parket Beta
(c) Maruti Versa
(d) All of these.
Answer: (c)
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56. What is the sub brand of the new car that Toyota is launching in India?
(a) Accord
(b) Jupiter
(c) C Planet
(d) Camry
Answer: (d)
57. With which brand would you identify the famous advertising slogan 'Think Different'?
(a) Apple
(b) IBM
(c) Wipro
(d) None of these
Answer: (a)
58. Which country is the company Nestle head quartered?
(a) Sweden
(b) Switzerland
(c) The Netherlands
(d) Luxemburg
Answer: (b)
59. What is the brand name of the range of shoes and apparel for children under the age of five, that Reebok
plans to introduce shortly?
(a) Weebok
(b) Kids
(c) Kidsport
(d) Tyke
Answer: (a)
60. Which multinational packaged food company has an equity stake in Britannia?
(a) Danone
(b) Heinz
(c) Frito Lays
(d) Schweppes
Answer: (a)
61. Who is the chairperson of Bharti Group?
(a) Raj Mittal
(b) Alok Mittal
(c) Sunil Mittal
(d) Raman Mittal
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Answer: (c)
62. Which billionaire businessman has been elected Mayor of New York, replacing the popular Rudy
Giuliani?
(a) William Clay Ford
(b) Larry Ellison
(c) James Walton
(d) Michael Bloomberg
Answer: (d)
63. Which insurance company, launched recently in India, will be using cartoon character 'Snoopy' in its
advertising?
(a) Aviva
(b) HDFC Standard
(c) MetLife
(d) Sun Life
Answer: (c)
64. Which is the home country of the famous design firm IKEA?
(a) Finland
(b) Sweden
(c) Switzerland
(d) Denmark
Answer: (b)
65. "One world. One family. One festival" is the slogan used in advertising of ______?
(a) Chinese New year
(b) Hong Kong's annual shopping festival
(c) Dubai's shopping festival
(d) None of these
Answer: (c)
66. Which companies' chips power more than 60% of the world's cell phones?
(a) Nokia
(b) Intel
(c) Motorola
(d) Texas Instruments
Answer: (d)
67. Who is the famous author of the book What they don't teach you at Harvard Business School?
(a) Stephen R Covey
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(b) Mack McCormak
(c) John Love
(d) None of these
Answer: (b)
68. Who is the RBI governor?
(a) Venkatraman
(b) Brijesh Mishra
(c) Ranjith Sau
(d) Bimal Jalan
Answer: (d)
69. Who is the Vice President of United States?
(a) Al Gore
(b) Rumsfeld
(c) Powell
(d) Cheney
Answer: (d)
70. Which is the leading international audit firm that is facing serious charges on account of lapse in
accounting practices?
(a) Ferguson
(b) PWH
(c) Arthur Andersen
(d) KPMG
Answer: (c)
71. Which family owns the Hero group of companies?
(a) Munjals
(b) Mansingh
(c) Firodias
(d) Hindujas
Answer: (a)
72. Who led the "Ocean to Sky" expedition that travelled along the Ganga (Ganges) river to its source?
(a) Sir Edmund Hillary
(b) Tenzing Norgay
(c) Chris Bonington
(d) Doug Scott
Answer: (a)
73. Hero Global is a venture promoted by the Munjal group for what purpose?
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(a) to market Hero Honda two wheelers in the overseas market.
(b) to sell Hero bicycles in the overseas market.
(c) to build a automobile design lab of international repute.
(d) to set up company owned dealer network in India.
Answer: (c)
74. J.D. Power is a name associated with ______
(a) an independent power producing company in New Delhi.
(b) a power plant equipment manufacturing company.
(c) a automotive battery manufacturing company.
(d) an automobile customer survey organization.
Answer: (d)
75. What does ICANN stand for?
(a) Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
(b) International Center for Agro Nutrients and Nourishment
(c) Indian Council for Algorithm, Numbers and Notions.
(d) International council for Approved Names and Numbers.
Answer: (a)
76. "Connecting People," is the by line of which company
(a) Philips
(b) Motorola
(c) Ericsson
(d) Nokia
Answer: (d)
77. Which founding father pioneered the idea of a national bank?
(a) Hamilton
(b) Jefferson
(c) Washington
(d) Adams
Answer: (a)
78. Who was Karl Marx's main collaborator on his famous works?
(a) V I Lenin
(b) Max Weber
(c) Fredrick Engles
(d) Joseph Stalin
Answer: (c)
79. Which of the following foreign partner / collaborator pair is not Correct?
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(a) HTA; J.Walter Thomson
(b) Chaitra; Leo Burnett
(c) O and M; WPP Group
(d) Mudra; DMB&B
Answer: (d)
80. Hewlett Packard, the famous Computer company is named after
(a) Its promoters, Hewlett and Packard
(b) The city in which they commenced their operation initially
(c) The street in which their first office was located.
(d) None of these
Answer: (a)