# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1019 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1020 --- ## [single phase ac motor question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/single-phase-ac-motor-question/735189)
**Author:** [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2015, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/single-phase-ac-motor-question/735189 "2015-10-22T00:16:03Z")
My furnace is randomly throwing the circuit breaker. It’s an old furnace with a new starter relay and a 10 year old 1/2 horse a/c motor. The motor spins freely as does the blower. It acts like there’s a bad spot for s… --- ## [Open mouth and mascara](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-mouth-and-mascara/516347)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-mouth-and-mascara/516347 "2015-10-21T23:06:22Z")
Why do women open their mouth when they put on mascara? Related: If they don’t, then why not? The list of perplexing things about women never grows shorter… Best regards, Leo --- ## [When was Manhattan pretty much fully built up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-manhattan-pretty-much-fully-built-up/735166)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-manhattan-pretty-much-fully-built-up/735166 "2015-10-21T23:01:12Z")
By the time of the American Revolution, the city covered only the southern tip of the island. The Dakota (72nd Street and Central Park West) was considered 'way out in the sticks when it was completed in 1884. I unders… --- ## [Viral image of the brain and illnesses, nonsense?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viral-image-of-the-brain-and-illnesses-nonsense/735273)
**Author:** [@DaveBfd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveBfd)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/viral-image-of-the-brain-and-illnesses-nonsense/735273 "2015-10-21T21:51:35Z")
This image states that different mental issues can be shown and found visually in the brain. I doubt the validity of the images used regardless of the validity of the facts. Could somebody who is knowledgeable in this … --- ## [WW2 Question - Was there ever a suggestion to destroy Germany as a unitary state?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ww2-question-was-there-ever-a-suggestion-to-destroy-germany-as-a-unitary-state/734929)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ww2-question-was-there-ever-a-suggestion-to-destroy-germany-as-a-unitary-state/734929 "2015-10-21T21:33:19Z")
I mean in the political sense rather than the physical sense. Given the depth of feeling around the fact that Germany had started\* two world wars in the space of a generation was there any suggestion from the victorious … --- ## [Do Not Call list](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-list/735280)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-call-list/735280 "2015-10-21T21:29:46Z")
Anyone else have an issue with this? I’ve been on it for years now. It doesn’t seem to make an iota difference. Has anyone followed through with a complaint or does anyone know if there is anything to be done? --- ## [CFL startup current spike: welding my relay closed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cfl-startup-current-spike-welding-my-relay-closed/735246)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cfl-startup-current-spike-welding-my-relay-closed/735246 "2015-10-21T20:59:14Z")
My garage door opener has two “standard” light bulb sockets. I don’t recall for sure, but I think each is rated for at least 100 watts. Some years ago I replaced the original incandescent bulbs with a couple of 150-wat… --- ## [Playing DVDs to a group: Legal Violation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playing-dvds-to-a-group-legal-violation/735298)
**Author:** [@ambushed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ambushed)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playing-dvds-to-a-group-legal-violation/735298 "2015-10-21T19:14:48Z")
I have a friend who’s in the local jail, and until recently there had been a DVD player and several DVDs that were used in a common room to entertain the inmates. But he tells me that the guards/staff came in one day an… --- ## [What is required to retrofit a modern car to convert it to self driving?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-required-to-retrofit-a-modern-car-to-convert-it-to-self-driving/735311)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-required-to-retrofit-a-modern-car-to-convert-it-to-self-driving/735311 "2015-10-21T18:37:13Z")
A hypothetical, self driving becomes ‘the thing’ or mandated by law, whatever. Many modern cars need to be refitted, what is involved in this? How many new systems would need to be added, how much can be done by the ex… --- ## [So how do people on a train get a run in the cab with the driver?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-people-on-a-train-get-a-run-in-the-cab-with-the-driver/735214)
**Author:** [@Dunmurry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunmurry)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-people-on-a-train-get-a-run-in-the-cab-with-the-driver/735214 "2015-10-21T16:40:40Z")
Now one of the things I like is trains and a few years ago where I live in N. Ireland my mother rang up the Train Operating Company to see if it would be possible for me to get a run in the cab with the driver as a Chris… --- ## [Complex poker odds question (draw strategy)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/complex-poker-odds-question-draw-strategy/368338)
**Author:** [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/complex-poker-odds-question-draw-strategy/368338 "2015-10-21T15:44:43Z")
The odds of being dealt a certain hand in poker are readily available. I’m more interested in the odds of making certain hands in five-card draw. Some are easy to figure out, e.g. if you just need one card of a certain … --- ## [What was the earliest true commercial dial-up ISP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-earliest-true-commercial-dial-up-isp/734933)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-earliest-true-commercial-dial-up-isp/734933 "2015-10-21T14:06:05Z")
I know The World STD started in November 1989 and thus claims to be, but actually they didn’t offer true Internet service until 1992, just news, UUCP and other old protocols. Alternet and Psinet both started selling TCP… --- ## [What colors are best seen at night?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colors-are-best-seen-at-night/735304)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colors-are-best-seen-at-night/735304 "2015-10-21T13:53:23Z")
If I were in a pitch-black cave and five people approached me with colored filters on their flashlights, is there a certain color I’d see the most easily? --- ## [My Windows media player is buggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-windows-media-player-is-buggy/735282)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-windows-media-player-is-buggy/735282 "2015-10-21T13:45:30Z")
It sometimes doesn’t give me the “progress” line for the video so I don’t know how long it is. It doesn’t seem to have an option for choosing the time remaining instead of time elapsed. Maybe I just don’t know where to … --- ## [U.S. Post Offices](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-post-offices/735278)
**Author:** [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-post-offices/735278 "2015-10-21T13:45:04Z")
I haven’t been in a U.S. post office for many years, but I’m curious - are pictures and descriptions of “most wanted” fugitives still displayed on the walls? --- ## [Easy way to watch live Chinese tv?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-way-to-watch-live-chinese-tv/735299)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-way-to-watch-live-chinese-tv/735299 "2015-10-21T12:39:38Z")
I want to watch live streamed Chinese tv on my comp, however, it’s notoriously difficult to access. does anyone here have any good links or ways in which I can watch? --- ## [Hillbillies, hicks, Yaroms (Israel), bumpkins from the sticks: etymology similarities in kind?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillbillies-hicks-yaroms-israel-bumpkins-from-the-sticks-etymology-similarities-in-kind/735032)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillbillies-hicks-yaroms-israel-bumpkins-from-the-sticks-etymology-similarities-in-kind/735032 "2015-10-21T11:05:01Z")
I was told yesterday that in Israel a hick, a country bumpkin (add that to the etymology link…) is called a “yarom,” which I think is a man’s name, but I might be wrong. Which led me to wonder if “hillbilly” stems from t… --- ## [Why is “further and further” preferred to “farther and farther” in the following sentence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-further-and-further-preferred-to-farther-and-farther-in-the-following-sentence/735322)
**Author:** [@Melia\_Antiqua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melia_Antiqua)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-further-and-further-preferred-to-farther-and-farther-in-the-following-sentence/735322 "2015-10-21T10:38:19Z")
Man: The real culprit is free, and he’s further and further away with every hour you waste prancing around in here. – vs – Man: The real culprit is free, and he’s farther and farther away with every hour you waste pran… --- ## [Can my housemate spy on my internet usage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-my-housemate-spy-on-my-internet-usage/508799)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-my-housemate-spy-on-my-internet-usage/508799 "2012-02-24T17:15:08Z")
At home, I have an encrypted wireless network that myself and my house mate use to access the Internet with our laptops. My house mate is an IT technician so his job is to manage the network at his work etc, and i guess… --- ## [Blurred public signs on Streetview](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blurred-public-signs-on-streetview/735261)
**Author:** [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blurred-public-signs-on-streetview/735261 "2015-10-21T03:42:25Z")
Why does Google Streetview blur out some of the information on public signs? Like this: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4168632,-82.2089526,3a,15y,236.2h,90.01t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCbO7osY4wc-EU8DCidFT3Q!2e0!7i13312!8… --- ## [What does viagra do to a young person who takes it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-viagra-do-to-a-young-person-who-takes-it/251605)
**Author:** [@LuckySevens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LuckySevens)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2004, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-viagra-do-to-a-young-person-who-takes-it/251605 "2004-06-22T19:58:49Z")
Lets assume a young, 22 year old with full sexual usage of his penis takes a viagra. What happens? Anything? --- ## [\[Language\] - which is (more) correct?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/language-which-is-more-correct/735223)
**Author:** [@Puzzler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Puzzler)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/language-which-is-more-correct/735223 "2015-10-21T00:34:24Z")
Hi, What is the proper way to write? (1) The group is led by … (2) The group is lead by… (3) The group is leaded by… (4) An altogether different answer Thanks! --- ## [How often do HEPA filters really need to be changed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-hepa-filters-really-need-to-be-changed/735108)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2015, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-do-hepa-filters-really-need-to-be-changed/735108 "2015-10-21T00:31:28Z")
The “change filter” lights (we have three units) went on long ago, and a Google search finds me very dilatory. But every hit seems to be from places trying to sell replacement filters. I clean the pre filter periodically… --- ## [Mixing juice concentrate and 7up...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mixing-juice-concentrate-and-7up/735294)
**Author:** [@Qwakkeddup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwakkeddup)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2015, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mixing-juice-concentrate-and-7up/735294 "2015-10-20T23:41:47Z")
Ok, I haven’t made this in a loooong while, and all my searches come up with gourmet garbage I don’t want. I have 2 cans of 5alive concentrate and a 2-litre of Lemon-Lime soda. My usual, IIRC was put in the concentrate, … --- ## [Many garments are black these days, What dyes are used?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/many-garments-are-black-these-days-what-dyes-are-used/735259)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2015, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/many-garments-are-black-these-days-what-dyes-are-used/735259 "2015-10-20T23:38:12Z")
Many garments are black these days, What dyes are used? Are there other considerations beyond fad and fashion? Is black easy or to manufacture? Does black hold up or last, i.e., '‘wear’'well? --- ## [Electric stovetop coil arched, now dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-stovetop-coil-arched-now-dead/735257)
**Author:** [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2015, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-stovetop-coil-arched-now-dead/735257 "2015-10-20T23:15:06Z")
A week back I turned my Hotpoint electric stove on high in order to boil some water. A few minutes later, when the coil was hot, it suddenly arched to the metal drip bowl. When it cooled down, I removed the coil and insp… --- ## [Why were ancient American horses not domesticated for transportation purposes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-ancient-american-horses-not-domesticated-for-transportation-purposes/734877)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2015, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-ancient-american-horses-not-domesticated-for-transportation-purposes/734877 "2015-10-20T20:06:45Z")
Hi, Why were ancient American horses simply hunted and not used as draught animals by ancient American indigenous peoples? Were these animals not suited to domestication? Had the idea of domesticating animals not occur … --- ## [Vote while in Military](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vote-while-in-military/735175)
**Author:** [@Hakuna\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hakuna_Matata)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2015, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vote-while-in-military/735175 "2015-10-20T15:16:05Z")
So my daughter married someone who is stationed in Hawaii–and she now lives there (since June of this year). Today her ballot came in the mail addressed to her here at this address. Is she a resident here in Washington… --- ## [Change in Dream Frequency](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-in-dream-frequency/735133)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2015, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-in-dream-frequency/735133 "2015-10-20T15:14:23Z")
I’ve never been a guy who frequently has vivid dreams that he remembers when he wakes up. But that’s changed dramtically in the last couple of months - I’ve gone from waking up with memories of a dream about once or twic… --- ## [Diamonds as a currency for illegal deals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-as-a-currency-for-illegal-deals/735022)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2015, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diamonds-as-a-currency-for-illegal-deals/735022 "2015-10-20T14:41:02Z")
So, it’s a movie cliche that diamonds are a great way to pay someone with an illegal deal, and that they are worth committing elaborate heists to obtain, and that you can fit millions into a small bag. Also, I’ve seen i… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1018) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1020)