Can you pass the interview questions written by Edison?
It is said that when Thomas Edison was not busy inventing light bulbs or phonographs, or torn with Nikola Tesla, he also took the time to design a trivial test that is almost impossible to answer all right.
As reported by Smithsonian, this 146-question quiz is designed to eliminate candidates who are not suitable to work in his factory. At that time, in 1921, his factory was an ideal place to find a job.
Of the 718 applicants who participated in the test, only 57 received a passing score of 70%, and only 32 of them obtained Edison's expected result: 90% or more correct answers. For those applicants who consider themselves well-educated, this result must be deeply frustrating.
(Note: The answers given are correct in 1921, and some of the answers may have been changed today. Some questions and answers have been slightly modified for ease of understanding.)
1. Which city in the United States is famous for making washing machines?
2. In addition to Australia, which country has also found kangaroos?
3. Where do we get prunes from?
4. Please name a large inland water body without a drain.
5. Which state is the largest? Next?
6. What is the name of a famous violin manufacturer?
7. What are the ingredients in the best white paint?
8. What is the cause of the tide?
9. What is the reason for the change of seasons?
10. Who discovered Antarctica?
11. How fast is the speed of light?
12. What type of wood is the axe handle made of?
13. What grains will the world eat?
14. Name three powerful poisons.
15. Why does Fahrenheit thermometer start with Fahrenheit?