Comments on: Weekend Genius Challenge #13: Nifty, Nifty, Look What’s Fifty!

By: Sandy

Sandy — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:40:34 +0000

You can see the winner and correct answers to WGC #12 at http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/10916

The original post mysteriously disappeared, but I’ve recreated it in all its original glory.

By: Zane

Zane — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:36:12 +0000

Prince, Madonna, and Michael jackson were all born in 1958 thereby changing the face of pop music in the 80s (for better or worse is open for debate…please, talk among yourselves)

By: Ben Stucky

Ben Stucky — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:49:01 +0000

Hey – I din’t see a post with the answers to “Weekend Genius Challenge #12: Soft ‘70”. Anyone know what they were?

By: Maggy

Maggy — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 06:50:24 +0000

Both Madonna (August 16, 1958) and Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958) (and my mom) will be turning the big 5-0 next year. Who would have thought they’d make it this far? (Well, not my mom. She’s sans stardom).

Alaska – small

By: dorkface

dorkface — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 06:45:02 +0000

The “punch in the neck” fighting technique was pioneered by the Pearson family. It was passed down through the generations.

By: Bethany

Bethany — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 05:12:17 +0000

The Gibson EDS-1275, the first double necked guitar, was introduced in 1958 as a special order custom instrument. For the first time, guitarists could switch from a six-string to a twelve-string without changing instruments.

This guitar was popularized by Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, who used it most famously in live performances of “Stairway to Heaven” so he would not have to pause to switch guitars.

Beethoven small, please.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 04:24:05 +0000

Another great phrase was coined in 1958… “pop art”. In an issue of ‘Architectural Digest’ critic Lawrence Alloway used the phrase in referece to the art movement that incorporated popular culture as the visual vocubulary.

Idioms please, WMN medium.

By: Wiley

Wiley — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 02:42:56 +0000

1958 is also the first instance of the term ‘beatnik’, first used by San Francisco columnist Herb Caen… Perhaps ‘beatnik’ would have been an Oxford choice for 1958 if the latest in coined phrases were being sought in the times of being kept down by the man. Maynard G. Krebs soon followed (in 1959). Far out, man.

Pluto, man, medium. Too bad it’s not in turtleneck style. [bongo beat out]

By: Sharon

Sharon — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 02:34:22 +0000

February 17 – Pope Pius XII declares Saint Clare the patron saint of television

pluto, womens large

By: kate

kate — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 00:31:27 +0000

Kevin Bacon was born…allowing for an arcane game called six degrees of kevin bacon to be created.

lady macbeth, womens small