# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=634 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 635 --- ## [When did the occupation of "toymaker" start?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-occupation-of-toymaker-start/805689)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2018, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-occupation-of-toymaker-start/805689 "2018-01-03T14:16:36Z")
Sometimes you read stories of old times where you see a person called a “toymaker”. Was there ever really a person who could make a living making say toy trucks and dolls? The way I look at it toys, were an afterthough… --- ## [PWM Solar regulator only gets half panel wattage of MPPT?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwm-solar-regulator-only-gets-half-panel-wattage-of-mppt/805741)
**Author:** [@Loyuod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loyuod)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2018, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pwm-solar-regulator-only-gets-half-panel-wattage-of-mppt/805741 "2018-01-02T16:47:56Z")
Someone on a Solar Panel forum said something along the lines of: a portable PWM regulator only uses 125Watts out of a 12V 250W panel compared to a MPPT regulator which can use the full 250W. I wan’t to use 2 separate 2… --- ## [Saturn's moon Titan and its atmosphere](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saturns-moon-titan-and-its-atmosphere/805721)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2018, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saturns-moon-titan-and-its-atmosphere/805721 "2018-01-03T07:41:04Z")
I’ve read that Titan’s atmosphere is primarily nitrogen, while it’s surface has lakes and seas of liquid methane. The liquification point of nitrogen is only 17 centigrade degrees below that of methane; and the average s… --- ## [How Cold Is Too Cold For Modern Electronics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-cold-is-too-cold-for-modern-electronics/805581)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2018, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-cold-is-too-cold-for-modern-electronics/805581 "2018-01-03T03:56:11Z")
A few nights in the past week the temperature has dropped to around 8F (-13C). I make it a point to bring in my SiriusXM receiver, for fear that the cold could somehow harm to display mechanism (LCD maybe?). Are modern … --- ## [Excel Question (Popups hiding cells)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-popups-hiding-cells/805767)
**Author:** [@Zyanthia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyanthia)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2018, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-question-popups-hiding-cells/805767 "2018-01-03T02:11:34Z")
I was copying and pasting in Excel, minding my own business when suddenly Excel decided it didn’t want to play nice. Every time I moved the mouse to the cell I want to paste, the cell got overlayed with a quick analysis … --- ## [How can a video card (GPU) burn itself out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-video-card-gpu-burn-itself-out/805771)
**Author:** [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2018, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-video-card-gpu-burn-itself-out/805771 "2018-01-03T00:24:35Z")
Recently I removed my old video card (GTX 970) to upgrade it, took a photo and put it immediately in an anti-static bag, and sold it on eBay. I just heard from the buyer that there was a burning smell immediately when he… --- ## [1) What's a military air "sorty?" 2) F-35 & F-22: How many sorties per day, typically? / (The F-45?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-whats-a-military-air-sorty-2-f-35-f-22-how-many-sorties-per-day-typically-the-f-45/805709)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2018, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-whats-a-military-air-sorty-2-f-35-f-22-how-many-sorties-per-day-typically-the-f-45/805709 "2018-01-03T00:03:35Z")
See queries. i Query one I, at least, would like to get straight even before, obviously, the second query is addressed. Back in Gulf War I, I think, after news media/Pentagon Press Office citation of impressively larg… --- ## [How much caffeine is there in Cola?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-caffeine-is-there-in-cola/805770)
**Author:** [@JakeRS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JakeRS)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2018, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-caffeine-is-there-in-cola/805770 "2018-01-02T22:25:58Z")
To be exact, how much caffeine is there in 1 liter of regular Coca Cola? I read that if you consume around 200mg of caffeine a day or even less if you are more sensitive (regardless of the source, soda, coffe, tea,…), yo… --- ## [Anyone know what this outdoor pipe is](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663)
**Author:** [@NeoCortex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeoCortex)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2018, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-what-this-outdoor-pipe-is/805663 "2018-01-02T22:20:23Z")
This is a steel/metal pipe (maybe 1.5”) next to my pool waterfall. Can’t see anything inside it. Just moved into the home and my pool guy and electrician have no idea why its there. Anyone have a guess? I’ve only dug a c… --- ## [Original 13 or 15 Colonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-13-or-15-colonies/5949)
**Author:** [@constart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constart)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2018, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-13-or-15-colonies/5949 "2018-01-02T22:17:11Z")
US history books cite the 13 colonies which were involved in the Declaration of Independance/Revolutionary War. But weren’t there actually more than the 13 who chose to declare independance. I remember reading that Nova … --- ## [What did they put on my car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-they-put-on-my-car/805665)
**Author:** [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2018, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-they-put-on-my-car/805665 "2018-01-02T21:45:54Z")
In 2005 I bought a used car, and the place did a complete wash/wax/vacuum. And after that, we never had to wash that car (a 2001 Kia Sportage). Nothing on it got dirty except the spare tire cover. Oh, it would get muddy,… --- ## [The Genetic Makeup Of Modern Europe (No, This Isn't A Thinly-Veiled Bit Of Racism)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-genetic-makeup-of-modern-europe-no-this-isnt-a-thinly-veiled-bit-of-racism/805525)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2018, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-genetic-makeup-of-modern-europe-no-this-isnt-a-thinly-veiled-bit-of-racism/805525 "2018-01-02T18:52:28Z")
The preponderance of DNA-based genetic testing spurned this question. Obviously the genetic makeup of the majority of European-descended people of the USA is going to be a mix of this and that, thanks to immigration, ge… --- ## [Psychoanalysis and Sex](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychoanalysis-and-sex/805756)
**Author:** [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2018, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychoanalysis-and-sex/805756 "2018-01-02T18:33:36Z")
There. Now that I have your attention. I saw a comic at some time in the recent past. It was two Psychologists/Psychiatrists having a conversation. It went something like: A:“So he asked if they should try an open rela… --- ## [Bad subtitles...why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-subtitles-why/805676)
**Author:** [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2018, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-subtitles-why/805676 "2018-01-02T17:41:46Z")
Inspired by the interesting thread on closed captioning, why are movie subtitles often filled with obvious, simple errors? I don’t mean dubious translations so much as grammatical and spelling mistakes and odd constructi… --- ## [When and where did civilisstion evolve?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-where-did-civilisstion-evolve/805439)
**Author:** [@SeniorCitizen007](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeniorCitizen007)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2018, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-where-did-civilisstion-evolve/805439 "2018-01-02T17:40:10Z")
Prior to the development of agriculture and the domestication of animals these people appear to have been following a hunter-gatherer life-style as “civilised” in most respects as that which evolved when agriculture an… --- ## [Explain new TVs to me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-new-tvs-to-me/805556)
**Author:** [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2018, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-new-tvs-to-me/805556 "2018-01-02T17:37:22Z")
So my 5 year old TV just went tits up on me and the repairman said it would cost too much to repair it realistically. So can someone briefly explain 4K and curved and all the other new bells and whistles in new TV tech t… --- ## [Is it legal to get your body searched at international airports by the opposite sex?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-get-your-body-searched-at-international-airports-by-the-opposite-sex/805686)
**Author:** [@rastafarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rastafarian)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2018, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-get-your-body-searched-at-international-airports-by-the-opposite-sex/805686 "2018-01-02T17:34:16Z")
I say ‘body searched’ because I know there are various levels (strip search being the most invasive) which some countries no doubt conduct regardless of the gender and sometimes even choice of the individual. I read on … --- ## [Unknown number](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unknown-number/805391)
**Author:** [@AndyB74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndyB74)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2018, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unknown-number/805391 "2018-01-02T17:20:13Z")
Why did my new phone txt a random set of numbers and letters to a random five digit mobile number non existent on my device?? --- ## [particle accelerator questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/particle-accelerator-questions/805704)
**Author:** [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2018, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/particle-accelerator-questions/805704 "2018-01-02T04:39:14Z")
I have some questions about particle accelerators: Why does larger circumference of the accelerator lead to collisions that spit out higher energy particles? Why are higher energy particles more fundamental building bl… --- ## [What are the odds of killing myself trying to fix my amp?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-odds-of-killing-myself-trying-to-fix-my-amp/805544)
**Author:** [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2018, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-odds-of-killing-myself-trying-to-fix-my-amp/805544 "2018-01-02T02:36:13Z")
Even if you unplug it the capacitors hold a charge. I was reading online that it can be very dangerous to work on them if the capacitors are not fully drained. I don’t have a tube amp, I have a cheap piece of shit I foun… --- ## [Identifying remains from dental records.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identifying-remains-from-dental-records/805619)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2018, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identifying-remains-from-dental-records/805619 "2018-01-02T00:32:42Z")
Often I’ve read reports of decomposed remains being identified by dental records. How does this happen? Do LEO’s send x-rays of the jaw to every dentist within x km of the last resting place of the deceased? Is there … --- ## [In America, can a death row prisoner ask to be knocked unconscious before execution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-can-a-death-row-prisoner-ask-to-be-knocked-unconscious-before-execution/805558)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2018, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-america-can-a-death-row-prisoner-ask-to-be-knocked-unconscious-before-execution/805558 "2018-01-01T23:50:56Z")
I know with lethal injection they knock you out first. But if you are on death row and going to be executed via electric chair, gas chamber, hanging, firing squad, etc. can a prisoner ask to be knocked unconscious using… --- ## [My cat turns off typing ability on laptop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-turns-off-typing-ability-on-laptop/805685)
**Author:** [@LiveFree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveFree)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2018, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-turns-off-typing-ability-on-laptop/805685 "2018-01-01T23:21:37Z")
Okay, so my cat will often sit on my laptop keyboard…just to piss me off I think. Anyway, somehow he turns off the ability to type any letters. Numbers are fine…I know how to fix that. There must be a keyboard shortcu… --- ## [My Cell Phone Just Lost Its Connection to the Internet...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cell-phone-just-lost-its-connection-to-the-internet/805567)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2018, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cell-phone-just-lost-its-connection-to-the-internet/805567 "2018-01-01T18:37:27Z")
I don’t know if this is the proper forum for personal tech questions. But if I am wrong. correct me, and the lesson will be learned:). But my cell phone just lost its connection to the internet. The text and phone funct… --- ## [Christmas tree lights in cemetaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-tree-lights-in-cemetaries/805487)
**Author:** [@Jimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimpy)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2018, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-tree-lights-in-cemetaries/805487 "2018-01-01T17:35:57Z")
I was driving past a cemetary and I noticed that several of the headstones were decorated with Christmas lights. Ignoring the obvious question (Why???) I am left with how? How do you get the electricity to run lights at … --- ## [Do animals prefer human food?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-animals-prefer-human-food/805476)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2018, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-animals-prefer-human-food/805476 "2018-01-01T12:47:00Z")
If I give an animal a choice between its natural diet, and similar food prepared for human consumption (as by butchering, cooking and/or the addition of spices), do animals generally prefer the latter? Say for example y… --- ## [Why do News Article Dates Get Messed Up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-news-article-dates-get-messed-up/805588)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2018, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-news-article-dates-get-messed-up/805588 "2018-01-01T11:55:11Z")
I try to follow some crime cases as they wind their way through the legal system. It often takes several years before there’s resolution. The Google filter, Past Month is all that’s available. The next filter is past y… --- ## [How do humans survive sickness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-humans-survive-sickness/805309)
**Author:** [@curious11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curious11)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2018, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-humans-survive-sickness/805309 "2018-01-01T04:39:21Z")
Why doesn’t illness start a cycle of illness that ends in death? I am recovering from a head cold. In misery I wondered why my weakened immune system wasn’t attacked by some other virus or disease? With my immune system… --- ## [How well can military cope with loss of generals/colonels/high-rank brass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-can-military-cope-with-loss-of-generals-colonels-high-rank-brass/805600)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2018, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-can-military-cope-with-loss-of-generals-colonels-high-rank-brass/805600 "2018-01-01T03:26:11Z")
This could have gone into either Cafe or GQ: How well is a military such as the United States’ (or IDF or some NATO ally) capable of coping if a sneak enemy attack happened to kill all generals/admirals/colonels/etc. at… --- ## [Microsoft Excel experts - please help me get my columns to behave](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-excel-experts-please-help-me-get-my-columns-to-behave/805627)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2018, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-excel-experts-please-help-me-get-my-columns-to-behave/805627 "2018-01-01T02:03:59Z")
I am creating an Excel database that will have well over a thousand names and account numbers. I am copying and pasting from an existing Word document. I have the names all entered and am now filling in the account numb… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=633) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=635)