# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=567 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 568 --- ## [What is the most successful company to only produce a single unique product? See OP for more info.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-successful-company-to-only-produce-a-single-unique-product-see-op-for-more-info/817044)
**Author:** [@Textual\_Assault](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Textual_Assault)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2018, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-successful-company-to-only-produce-a-single-unique-product-see-op-for-more-info/817044 "2018-07-05T04:24:40Z")
What’s the most successful company to only produce a single unique product? You might say something like GM because they make automobiles. True but they don’t fit the question because they make many different models of… --- ## [A question about punctuation.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-punctuation/817298)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2018, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-about-punctuation/817298 "2018-07-05T03:30:17Z")
This is something I posted in another thread. I’m going to C&P the whole post to provide at least a little bit of context: My question pertains to the second sentence. Was I correct in ending that sentence with a perio… --- ## [Cramps causing actual damage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cramps-causing-actual-damage/816926)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2018, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cramps-causing-actual-damage/816926 "2018-07-05T00:02:22Z")
I get cramps in my calves on a pretty regular basis and , rarely, in my thighs. Last week I awoke from a sound sleep with a horrible cramp in my right thigh. I did a pretty hard bike ride in the late afternoon and was po… --- ## [mirrored glasses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mirrored-glasses/817265)
**Author:** [@shinnen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shinnen)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2018, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mirrored-glasses/817265 "2018-07-04T23:27:34Z")
Hi all, I was wondering what the difference is between mirrored and non mirrored sunglasses. What do the mirrors actually reflect, i.e. a particular wavelength of the EMS? Thanks, … john --- ## [How do I edit the "fact box" in Wikipedia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-edit-the-fact-box-in-wikipedia/816981)
**Author:** [@Wakinyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wakinyan)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2018, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-edit-the-fact-box-in-wikipedia/816981 "2018-07-04T22:14:34Z")
On a wiki page about a person, there are some info in the upper right box that needs to be changed. But when I choose to edit the box, I’m presented a template with blank fields. I don’t want to recreate the box, only de… --- ## [House full of cooking smoke, with air purifier: Windows open or closed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-full-of-cooking-smoke-with-air-purifier-windows-open-or-closed/803965)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2018, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-full-of-cooking-smoke-with-air-purifier-windows-open-or-closed/803965 "2018-07-04T20:15:00Z")
Typing this now as the desk lamp shines through haze. I have a high-throughput home air purifier (specs, the RabbitAir 780A), and when the air in the living room (off a small kitchen with a small window) gets soupy I op… --- ## [Can viruses form randomly from decaying plants/animals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-viruses-form-randomly-from-decaying-plants-animals/816916)
**Author:** [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2018, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-viruses-form-randomly-from-decaying-plants-animals/816916 "2018-07-04T14:58:51Z")
Viruses, as I understand them, are basically just strands of DNA that happen to interact in a certain way when they come in contact with live replications. Could they, then, form simply in the process of animal corpses … --- ## [China vs Dalai Lama vs Three Stooges](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-vs-dalai-lama-vs-three-stooges/817268)
**Author:** [@John\_R\_Bales](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_R_Bales)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2018, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-vs-dalai-lama-vs-three-stooges/817268 "2018-07-04T05:15:51Z")
Has anyone been denied entry to China for wearing a Three Stooges T-Shirt? (Due to the resemblance between Curly and the Dalai Lama). --- ## [Floor refinishing - polyurethane over "spar urethane"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floor-refinishing-polyurethane-over-spar-urethane/817236)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2018, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floor-refinishing-polyurethane-over-spar-urethane/817236 "2018-07-04T04:18:00Z")
So, I am refinishing one of the rooms in my house and I sanded off all the old finish from the hardwood. I had an old can of Helmsman “Spar Urethane” sitting around and figured I could use that - the can did say “outdoor… --- ## [How Do Daredevils Do The 'Box Of Dynamite' Act?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-daredevils-do-the-box-of-dynamite-act/817026)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2018, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-daredevils-do-the-box-of-dynamite-act/817026 "2018-07-04T04:08:48Z")
You know how at the county fair, these low-rent carnival daredevils do this stunt where they enclose themselves in a box with dynamite? The hype man plays up the danger to the crowd, the explosives detonate, and after an… --- ## [Question about "black boxes" on motor vehicles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-black-boxes-on-motor-vehicles/816682)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2018, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-black-boxes-on-motor-vehicles/816682 "2018-07-04T01:11:39Z")
How do the “black boxes” on motor vehicles work? Question was triggered by the horrible bus - semi crash here in Saskatchewan back in April, when a youth hockey team was wiped out by a crash. Media reports are that the… --- ## [Excel: Statistical significance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-statistical-significance/817019)
**Author:** [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2018, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-statistical-significance/817019 "2018-07-03T21:22:33Z")
It’s been far too long since I’ve taken a course in statistics, I forget even what to google for. To keep it simple: I have two columns in Excel with 500k rows, each row is a response to a survey question (and of cours… --- ## [Electric power cord soaked in water (need answer fast)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-power-cord-soaked-in-water-need-answer-fast/816048)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2018, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-power-cord-soaked-in-water-need-answer-fast/816048 "2018-07-03T18:27:21Z")
So, someone installed a new washing machine in my apartment, but I noticed that the power prong and cable had been soaking in water. I dried off the prong, but is the plasticized cable still “compromised?” It looks lik… --- ## [Am I being Scammed? Paypal.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-being-scammed-paypal/816511)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-being-scammed-paypal/816511 "2018-07-03T17:49:24Z")
I’m selling an item, lets say its a trailer. The buyer wants to buy via Paypal and have a flatbed sent to pick it up. I’ll just make up a bill of sale, sign it and give to the truck driver. Once I see the money has trans… --- ## [Water used to test natural gas lines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-used-to-test-natural-gas-lines/817197)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2018, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-used-to-test-natural-gas-lines/817197 "2018-07-03T15:15:16Z")
Very close to my house they are installing or upgrading natural gas lines. They had a sign about hydro testing. Is that using water or something else? Also there were 3 pipes rather than 1 , each around 10 inches i… --- ## [How to force my smartphone to ask for my password when accessing Google Drive ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-force-my-smartphone-to-ask-for-my-password-when-accessing-google-drive/817106)
**Author:** [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2018, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-force-my-smartphone-to-ask-for-my-password-when-accessing-google-drive/817106 "2018-07-03T13:19:01Z")
I have a Sony Xperia (Android), and I’m pretty happy with it. There’s one “helpful” feature which I don’t like at all, however. When I connect to my Google account, it doesn’t ask for my password. As a result, my mail a… --- ## [Optimum speed for walking (running?) in hot weather](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/optimum-speed-for-walking-running-in-hot-weather/817154)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2018, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/optimum-speed-for-walking-running-in-hot-weather/817154 "2018-07-03T12:41:59Z")
Suppose you intend to travel on foot from Point A to Point B (both nicely air conditioned), in hot weather. Your goal is to minimize the amount of heat related discomfort on your end, whether feeling hot, or sweating. Th… --- ## [How can testosterone cause both hair growth and loss, and are there other effects that switch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-testosterone-cause-both-hair-growth-and-loss-and-are-there-other-effects-that-switch/817222)
**Author:** [@squish7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squish7)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2018, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-testosterone-cause-both-hair-growth-and-loss-and-are-there-other-effects-that-switch/817222 "2018-07-03T11:35:02Z")
How can testosterone (‘T’) cause both hair growth and hair loss? Type “testosterone hair” in Google and the top two suggestions are: testosterone hair loss testosterone hair growth I’ve read some stuff but I still do… --- ## [Why is not there no gender - neutral reference for someone from England or France,](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-not-there-no-gender-neutral-reference-for-someone-from-england-or-france/816912)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2018, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-not-there-no-gender-neutral-reference-for-someone-from-england-or-france/816912 "2018-07-03T10:20:23Z")
Most ethnic/national groups have a gender neutral noun to refer to them in English: a Pole, an Italian, a Spaniard, etc. But there isn’t a gender-neutral noun for some groups, like France, England, Wales or Ireland. Th… --- ## [Do suicide bombers and bystanders feel pain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-suicide-bombers-and-bystanders-feel-pain/817148)
**Author:** [@EricaRoche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EricaRoche)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2018, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-suicide-bombers-and-bystanders-feel-pain/817148 "2018-07-03T05:24:27Z")
Just wondering after watching a documentary on the London 7/7 attacks and there was some controversy of whether the terrorists used H2o2 or TATP. But that’s not the question, here. I’m wondering if the 4 bombers felt an… --- ## [U.S. tax question - self employment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-tax-question-self-employment/817000)
**Author:** [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2018, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-tax-question-self-employment/817000 "2018-07-03T03:54:32Z")
I have retired early, but as a fairly recent immigrant (from the U.K. to the U.S.) I don’t yet have the 40 credits that I need to qualify for Medicare when I reach 65. I have found a part-time consulting job that suits … --- ## [Can Congressman be appointed as opposed to elected to office?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-congressman-be-appointed-as-opposed-to-elected-to-office/817140)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2018, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-congressman-be-appointed-as-opposed-to-elected-to-office/817140 "2018-07-03T03:41:07Z")
Hi Can Congressman be appointed as opposed to elected to office? I heard Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez say that under New York rules Joe Crowley was appointed as opposed to elected to office under New York government rules.… --- ## [Differentiating TV sounds from Real Life Sounds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differentiating-tv-sounds-from-real-life-sounds/817153)
**Author:** [@Zyanthia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyanthia)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2018, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differentiating-tv-sounds-from-real-life-sounds/817153 "2018-07-03T03:02:51Z")
Lately, I’ve been struggling to determine if the alarm I hear is my alarm, or the alarm on TV. Or if a phone on TV uses the same ring tone, I can’t tell if my phone is ringing or if it is the TV. It’s gotten so bad, I r… --- ## [The cars with the tires slanted at an angle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cars-with-the-tires-slanted-at-an-angle/817135)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2018, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cars-with-the-tires-slanted-at-an-angle/817135 "2018-07-03T01:43:33Z")
I’m going to be arrogant enough to assume you’ve noticed their existence without me needing to link to an Example A, Example B. (You can conjure up your own easily enough on Google Images for cars tires slanted angle). … --- ## [Diesel refuel handle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diesel-refuel-handle/817142)
**Author:** [@Oly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oly)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2018, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diesel-refuel-handle/817142 "2018-07-02T20:25:04Z")
I got a diesel truck last year, which means I refuel using the green handled dispenser. What I’ve noticed is that, after refueling, the hand i used to manipulate the dispenser ALWAYS smells of diesel. Occasionally I reme… --- ## [Little black balls on the body](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/little-black-balls-on-the-body/817084)
**Author:** [@Warm\_blood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Warm_blood)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2018, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/little-black-balls-on-the-body/817084 "2018-07-02T19:31:14Z")
Today I saw someone on the bus, a dark-complected young man covered almost completely in black bumps. His face and arms were the only parts of his body uncovered, and he was wearing gloves (it was 30 C today). What medic… --- ## [Left car light on all night but battery still seems OK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-car-light-on-all-night-but-battery-still-seems-ok/817177)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2018, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-car-light-on-all-night-but-battery-still-seems-ok/817177 "2018-07-02T18:52:12Z")
So I absentmindedly left my car internal light on all night long and the battery seemed dead for 1-2 seconds when I turned the key, yet it did eventually spring to life and the car drives seemingly fine. Is there anythi… --- ## [Gun-type atomic weapon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-type-atomic-weapon/817038)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2018, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-type-atomic-weapon/817038 "2018-07-02T18:35:19Z")
I’ve just watched Fat Man And Little Boy. I can’t believe it came out in 1989. I remember it coming out, but I don’t remember it coming out so long ago! :eek: In any case… I’d known for at least a decade before the … --- ## [Making Diet Ice Cream](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-diet-ice-cream/817125)
**Author:** [@molten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/molten)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2018, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-diet-ice-cream/817125 "2018-07-02T17:22:45Z")
I have recently discovered some ice cream (on a stick) brands here in the states that are only 100 calories a piece. They are awesome but because people are averse to artificial flavoring I have to sprinkle splenda on th… --- ## [Since the dawn of civilization what SPECIFIC building/structure has been farted in the most by human](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-dawn-of-civilization-what-specific-building-structure-has-been-farted-in-the-most-by-human/817171)
**Author:** [@Textual\_Assault](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Textual_Assault)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-the-dawn-of-civilization-what-specific-building-structure-has-been-farted-in-the-most-by-human/817171 "2018-07-02T17:11:27Z")
Since the dawn of civilization what specific building has been farted in the most by humans? I was going to ask Cecil this question but no chance of that, so I have to settle for you people. When I say specific I don’t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=566) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=568)