Pittsburgh Trivia: Vol. III
On Fridays, we do trivia
By Christopher Flowers
During a visit to one of the city’s many wonderful bookstores, I came across a copy of Ultimate Pittsburgh Trivia by Dane Topich, published in 2007. Here’s a photo of the back cover in front of the city’s comprehensive plan website:
There are 1,000 questions, so we can do this 100 times. This is volume III. Click here to see volume I. Click here for volume II. There’s no deep system — I open a random page and pick a question, then another page. There are two questions in each round, and articles I’ve written previously are in the body to both break up the text and promote my stuff.
Round 1: First round & first film
In how many years were there three Pitt Panther football players drafted in the first round of the NFL draft?
What is the name of the first movie filmed in Pittsburgh and when was it filmed?
While you ponder those queries, here’s a look at what we do on Mondays — examine what happened the previous week as we prepare for what’s ahead.
Answers:
Two. 1981 and 1983
Various parts of The Perils of Pauline were filmed here in 1914.
Round 2: Hat tricks & smoker coughs
What is the fastest hat trick scored against the Penguins?
What percent of adults in Allegheny County smoke? [Recent numbers included along with 20-year-old book answer]
While you think about who smoked the competition on the ice, Tuesday’s agenda involves Pittsburgh gas prices. They had been going down, but as the ceasefire in the Middle East unraveled, global oil prices shot upward.
Answers:
The New York Islanders’ Derek King embarrassed goalie Tom Barrasso with three goals within 78 seconds in October 15, 1991 at Nassau Coliseum. The Pens still won 7-6.
27 percent (adults18+). More males (29 percent) than females (25 percent) smoke. High school graduates are almost twice as likely to smoke than college graduates.
From 2024, the most recent Allegheny County information online, 11% of adults smoke and 7.4% vape.
Round 3: Carnegie bugs & the Allegheny River
Bugs are unwelcome guests at most buildings, but not at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s section of invertebrate zoology. How many insects are in the Carnegie’s collection?
How far is it from the PNC Park home plate to Allegheny River?
I only attended the first day of the pickle festival, which extended over the bridge to PNC Park. The air was not safe to breathe, due to wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota. The pickle-rider photographed lasted 40 seconds (video included). The longest that day was around 2 minutes (no video).
Answers:
Between 6 and 7 million prepared specimens, that is specimens pinned or glued for display. There are another four and a half to five million unprepared specimens, which are mostly stored in alcohol. The Carnegie collection dates back to the 1860s.
443 feet, four inches
Round 4: Mayors & morning commutes
When did Pittsburgh incorporate as a city and who was the city’s first mayor?
For how long of a period was John Cigna the host of KDKA Radio’s morning drive-time show?
If you need a break from trivia, here’s a PBS documentary about local icon Fred Rogers. I also include a list of Mister Rogers articles — most address his legacy as both a children’s entertainer and as a Pittsburgher; however, one, though, is kind of NSFW.
Answers:
Ebenezer Denny was elected as the first mayor in 1816.
18 years, from 1983 until 2001. He signed off on December 20, 2001.
Round 5: Pugilistic skills & acting awards
When and where was the last heavyweight championship boxing match in Pittsburgh? Who fought? Who won?
How many Academy Awards in all categories were won by films made in the Pittsburgh area?
Don’t get distracted watching boxing matches and thinking about golden statuettes — one of the greatest powers of a U.S. citizen is the ability to hold to account their elected leaders. We cannot do that if our elderly oligarchy won’t tell the truth.
Additional reading:
Register to vote in Pennsylvania.
Why voting matters (University of Connecticut School of Social Work)
COMMENTARY: We deserve the truth about Mitch McConnell
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Answers:
On July 18, 1951, Arnold Raymond Cream knocked out Ezzard Charles in seven rounds at Forbes Field to become world heavyweight champion. Boxing fans will know Cream as Jersey Joe Walcott.
Ten. The Deer Hunter and The Silence of the Lambs each won five. There were 31 nominations for all movies filmed here.
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