# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1159 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1160 --- ## [Best position for a wind harp](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-position-for-a-wind-harp/714040)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2015, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-position-for-a-wind-harp/714040 "2015-03-02T23:14:22Z")
I have heard two things on this but I would think that there a definitive answer. A wind (Aeolean) harp has strings just above the sound board and uses just wind to vibrate the strings. Some say the wind should be par… --- ## [Effect of exposure to mold and mildew for many years](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effect-of-exposure-to-mold-and-mildew-for-many-years/714026)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2015, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effect-of-exposure-to-mold-and-mildew-for-many-years/714026 "2015-03-02T21:51:15Z")
Let’s say a healthy person lived for several decades in an environment of rampant mold and mildew - clothing, walls, carpet, surfaces, etc. The mold/mildew cannot be killed. There is no option of relocating to a mold/mil… --- ## [Furnace filter sizes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/furnace-filter-sizes/668869)
**Author:** [@FoundWaldo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoundWaldo)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2013, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/furnace-filter-sizes/668869 "2013-09-15T04:01:21Z")
What is the deal with furnace filter sizes? My current house has three places that need filters - for downstairs, I put it inside the blower unit, and for upstairs I put it at the two intake points (because the blower is… --- ## [UK Dopers: what law do I break setting fire to my own home?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-law-do-i-break-setting-fire-to-my-own-home/714042)
**Author:** [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2015, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-what-law-do-i-break-setting-fire-to-my-own-home/714042 "2015-03-02T20:38:22Z")
Some background… this is based on a real event last week. We have an eccentric lady who lives in the next street in a small two-up-two-down terrace. She’s the local Crazy Cat Lady - unusual dress-sense, loads of cats i… --- ## [What countries have never had leaders who held high military rank (e.g. general/flag officers)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-countries-have-never-had-leaders-who-held-high-military-rank-e-g-general-flag-officers/713876)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2015, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-countries-have-never-had-leaders-who-held-high-military-rank-e-g-general-flag-officers/713876 "2015-03-02T18:48:27Z")
I was just wondering: how many countries have never had a political leader who has held high military rank: general or flag rank? By “political leader” I mean actual leader, not ceremonial, so a Prime Minister in a par… --- ## [Could someone help me identify this building/location?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-someone-help-me-identify-this-building-location/713874)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2015, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-someone-help-me-identify-this-building-location/713874 "2015-03-02T18:32:59Z")
No luck doing a reverse image search: --- ## [gravity between regular objects](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravity-between-regular-objects/713655)
**Author:** [@cactus\_waltz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cactus_waltz)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2015, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gravity-between-regular-objects/713655 "2015-03-02T17:31:51Z")
Hello, So I have come to understand that in addition to the force of gravity we experience from the planet we are on, there is a gravitational pull between objects depending on difference in mass (?). Is there any way … --- ## [Deed Restrictions - wasn't aware of them when we bought the house](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deed-restrictions-wasnt-aware-of-them-when-we-bought-the-house/713933)
**Author:** [@Nickelpen17](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nickelpen17)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2015, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deed-restrictions-wasnt-aware-of-them-when-we-bought-the-house/713933 "2015-03-02T17:31:26Z")
WE bought a Fannie Mae / bank-owned property two years ago. Listed as having NO HOA. Now we were informed that there are deed restrictions. And they are also trying to recactivate an HOA. How does this affect us? --- ## [Google/gmail - so much frustration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-gmail-so-much-frustration/713602)
**Author:** [@kaiwik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaiwik)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2015, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-gmail-so-much-frustration/713602 "2015-03-02T16:53:26Z")
I need to speak with a real live human being with regard to my gmail account. I was given a phone number (1-650-253-0000) which gives me a lot of information that I have been trying for a while and it just fails. Then it… --- ## [Massive calving of a glacier. Questions.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-calving-of-a-glacier-questions/713962)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2015, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-calving-of-a-glacier-questions/713962 "2015-03-02T16:27:31Z")
Please watch this video of the largest and longest calving of a glacier ever recorded on video.. It’s only about 4 minutes long. Could an expert in this field explain this video, most notably the last 1-2 minutes that s… --- ## [Who came up with ice melt on roof?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-came-up-with-ice-melt-on-roof/713927)
**Author:** [@UncleFred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleFred)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2015, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-came-up-with-ice-melt-on-roof/713927 "2015-03-02T15:52:55Z")
Here is New England we’re having an especially stormy/snowy winter. We’re experiencing previously unheard of levels (to me, anyhow) of roof ice dams, water getting in homes, and roofs collapsing. People have started put… --- ## [Magnesium Pewter Finish near ocean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magnesium-pewter-finish-near-ocean/713984)
**Author:** [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2015, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magnesium-pewter-finish-near-ocean/713984 "2015-03-02T15:31:20Z")
The wife and I are looking for beds for our home. We are less than a mile from the ocean in warm humid Hawaii. How would a metal bed with a Magnesium Pewter Finish stand up in this environment? --- ## [Slide-in Electric range?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slide-in-electric-range/713948)
**Author:** [@cncdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cncdad)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2015, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slide-in-electric-range/713948 "2015-03-02T15:19:57Z")
SDMB, after searching for a 29 inch electric range for a couple months but only being able to find the standard 30 " I was pretty much ready to give up, and then today I saw what is called a 30 in slide-in that is desig… --- ## [Is arc welding underwater fraught with danger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arc-welding-underwater-fraught-with-danger/713920)
**Author:** [@Duke\_of\_York](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_York)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2015, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-arc-welding-underwater-fraught-with-danger/713920 "2015-03-02T13:36:12Z")
How do divers arc weld under water without electrocuting themselves? Are the welding units basically the same a normal welders but with added insulation? I can arc weld on land, could I do it under the sea, or is the wh… --- ## [Why weren't the first internal combustion engines ran on kerosene?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-werent-the-first-internal-combustion-engines-ran-on-kerosene/713816)
**Author:** [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2015, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-werent-the-first-internal-combustion-engines-ran-on-kerosene/713816 "2015-03-02T05:15:36Z")
Gasoline was a byproduct of distilling oil for kerosene. Apparently the invention of the automobile drove the gasoline production higher. But if gasoline was considered worthless enough to be thrown out why would an engi… --- ## [Which Cancer of the Brain = 90 days](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-cancer-of-the-brain-90-days/713906)
**Author:** [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2015, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-cancer-of-the-brain-90-days/713906 "2015-03-02T02:13:55Z")
Apparently, there is a specific variety of brain cancer which is famous for the “90 days to live” prognoses. What is its name? Yeah, always a fun topic… --- ## [Does organic chicken smell more than regular chicken, but is still safe to eat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-organic-chicken-smell-more-than-regular-chicken-but-is-still-safe-to-eat/713803)
**Author:** [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2015, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-organic-chicken-smell-more-than-regular-chicken-but-is-still-safe-to-eat/713803 "2015-03-02T02:06:50Z")
(Don’t need answer fast - the chicken in question is in the freezer.) I bought some reduced chicken thighs today that are still two days away from their expiration date, but when I brought the package home and opened it… --- ## [Scotch, Vodka, Whiskey, Can they go bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-vodka-whiskey-can-they-go-bad/713830)
**Author:** [@Qwakkeddup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwakkeddup)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2015, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotch-vodka-whiskey-can-they-go-bad/713830 "2015-03-01T21:20:11Z")
Watching some Fallout New Vegas play through, while picking up Whiskey, Vodka and Scotch, the Tuber comments that while in game these items are fine as they are valuable and have certain effects to use in game, “IRL even… --- ## [Who was the Christie interviewer at CPAC.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-christie-interviewer-at-cpac/713873)
**Author:** [@rsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsa)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2015, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-christie-interviewer-at-cpac/713873 "2015-03-01T21:18:26Z")
I’ve seen many replays of a woman interviewer at CPAC asking about Chris Christie’s “Sit down and shut up” comment by Christie in response to a question. When Christie replied that “sometimes people need to sit down and… --- ## [Specialty A/C plug timer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialty-a-c-plug-timer/713944)
**Author:** [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2015, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specialty-a-c-plug-timer/713944 "2015-03-01T20:50:56Z")
Plug is three-pronged, as in | O Does this type of plug have a name? A/C-heater has no thermostat, looking for a plug in timer. --- ## [Wine going bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wine-going-bad/713824)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2015, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wine-going-bad/713824 "2015-03-01T20:39:02Z")
It’ll be obvious that my Wife and I are not wine drinkers. We prefer beer or a couple of different mixed drinks. Anyway, my Wife was going through the fridge and found a bottle of Luna di Luna Italian White Wine. 2010… --- ## [Calculating the force of a collision -what am I missing here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calculating-the-force-of-a-collision-what-am-i-missing-here/713907)
**Author:** [@Bisected8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bisected8)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2015, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calculating-the-force-of-a-collision-what-am-i-missing-here/713907 "2015-03-01T20:22:34Z")
Recently I’ve been revisiting everything I learnt about physics in school. So, as far as I’m aware: What am I getting wrong? --- ## [Kindle Question: Why does the book "re-format"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-question-why-does-the-book-re-format/713925)
**Author:** [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2015, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kindle-question-why-does-the-book-re-format/713925 "2015-03-01T19:09:09Z")
Scenario: I am reading a book using my Kindle app on my iPad. I advance a page, and there’s a break mid-way down the page: a new section with a heading. As I read that page, I remember something I want to check. I … --- ## [Search warrant invalid; one person has already plead guilty--any remedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/search-warrant-invalid-one-person-has-already-plead-guilty-any-remedy/713825)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2015, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/search-warrant-invalid-one-person-has-already-plead-guilty-any-remedy/713825 "2015-03-01T18:35:03Z")
Suppose there is a situation where police officers suspect two people: John and Jim of engaging in mopery in their shared home. They get a warrant and search their house. They find irrefutable evidence in the home to c… --- ## [How would I set up an automotive test bench (12v)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-i-set-up-an-automotive-test-bench-12v/713861)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2015, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-i-set-up-an-automotive-test-bench-12v/713861 "2015-03-01T17:52:58Z")
I want to set up an environment where I can test the electeonic devices that are in an automobile. A car battery is approx. 12v (12.6v iI am told is the actual voltage, as each cell delivers 2.1v to the system). But, a… --- ## [Why does this tuna product have no protein?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-this-tuna-product-have-no-protein/713385)
**Author:** [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2015, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-this-tuna-product-have-no-protein/713385 "2015-03-01T06:22:38Z")
Bad quality image can be found here, but you can see that this tuna has 0g of protein. It also has 60 calories, but I’m not sure where these calories come from if there is no protein or carbs and almost no fat. Can some… --- ## [What is this dot symbol? probability equation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-dot-symbol-probability-equation/713865)
**Author:** [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2015, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-dot-symbol-probability-equation/713865 "2015-03-01T05:43:10Z")
It’s been a while since I had to do math. What does the dot symbol mean at the end of this? I’m not sure if it’s a superscript for the last xi, or inline with the “a”. On the page in my book, it is inline with the dot ov… --- ## [Was Jesus born between 6 and 11 BC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-jesus-born-between-6-and-11-bc/712439)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2015, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-jesus-born-between-6-and-11-bc/712439 "2015-03-01T05:24:21Z")
I’ve heard that Jesus may have been born as much as a full decade before 1 AD, do you think that’s probable? --- ## [Experimental aircraft ID](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experimental-aircraft-id/713904)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2015, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experimental-aircraft-id/713904 "2015-03-01T03:01:09Z")
I have the feeling I’ve asked this before, but… Can you ID this V-tail experimental aircraft? --- ## [First Edition Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scales](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-edition-stanford-binet-intelligence-scales/713901)
**Author:** [@buddy431](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddy431)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2015, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-edition-stanford-binet-intelligence-scales/713901 "2015-03-01T02:14:16Z")
The first edition of the Stanford-Binet scales were published in 1916. They should therefore be in the public domain in the United States. Is there any copy of the material online? What about in a library where I coul… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1158) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=1160)