# Factual Questions **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=777 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 778 --- ## [What is the point of pattern-recognition questions IQ or Visual Spatial IQ test?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-pattern-recognition-questions-iq-or-visual-spatial-iq-test/779018)
**Author:** [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2017, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-pattern-recognition-questions-iq-or-visual-spatial-iq-test/779018 "2017-02-11T14:11:46Z")
Is it to test how well you can remember shapes? A person that does well on Visual Spatial IQ test or pattern-recognition questions IQ test will do well at drawings, illustrations, sketch drawings, paintings, art work and… --- ## [Identify this item.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-item/779503)
**Author:** [@race\_to\_the\_bottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/race_to_the_bottom)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2017, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-item/779503 "2017-02-11T12:33:56Z")
I found this in a squat in Camdentown London in 1979. It appears to be cast aluminum. Made in Switzerland. The “spade” with the print seems to be worn. What is it? --- ## [Why do kids run where adults walk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-kids-run-where-adults-walk/779420)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2017, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-kids-run-where-adults-walk/779420 "2017-02-11T12:30:56Z")
Why do kids run, while adults walk? Is it simply a matter of the fact that adults’ walking speed is generally greater than kids’, so kids feel the need to run to make up the difference? Is it a matter of youthful exube… --- ## [Foreign Exchange of Currency c. 1857](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-exchange-of-currency-c-1857/779361)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2017, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-exchange-of-currency-c-1857/779361 "2017-02-11T10:00:17Z")
A commercial I saw recently shows a German immigrant arriving in New Orleans c. 1857 and making his way to St. Louis. Though the commercial implies that he arrived penniless, he was actually a son of a wealthy German mer… --- ## [Q For Photographers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-for-photographers/779508)
**Author:** [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2017, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-for-photographers/779508 "2017-02-11T09:49:31Z")
Have any of you ever taken a photograph through a window screen and if so, would you share some of those pictures with me? My reason for asking is due to the fact I have seen some very beautiful night-time skies out of … --- ## [Has Microsoft reopened free upgrades to Windows 10?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-microsoft-reopened-free-upgrades-to-windows-10/779349)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2017, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-microsoft-reopened-free-upgrades-to-windows-10/779349 "2017-02-11T07:06:01Z")
We tried to upgrade my wife’s laptop from Win8.1 to 10 on the last day of the free offer and it didn’t work (we got a message saying it had already expired. Not sure why - not a time zone issue as we’re ahead of the USA)… --- ## [How is the US Supreme Court checked & balanced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-us-supreme-court-checked-balanced/617935)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2017, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-us-supreme-court-checked-balanced/617935 "2017-02-11T07:02:59Z")
I was explaining to my 9-year old son the rudimentaries of how the US government works, about the three branches and the checks and balances. When I went into explaining the liks of vetos and veto overrides and how the … --- ## [Question about flu spread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-flu-spread/779514)
**Author:** [@sara20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sara20)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2017, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-flu-spread/779514 "2017-02-11T06:29:01Z")
Can you catch the flu if someone coughs on your food and you eat it? --- ## [I Just Found Out About Full Body Donation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-about-full-body-donation/778951)
**Author:** [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2017, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-found-out-about-full-body-donation/778951 "2017-02-11T03:35:59Z")
I won’t mention the organization because I don’t want to be accused of “spamming” them. (Anyone else get the humor of that?) Preliminarily, one just reads up on what’s required on their site and then calls to speak wit… --- ## [Anyone recognize this (presumably U.S.) flag?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-recognize-this-presumably-u-s-flag/779255)
**Author:** [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2017, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-recognize-this-presumably-u-s-flag/779255 "2017-02-11T02:40:34Z")
A friend-of-a-friend posted the below photo of a flag found in her family’s possession; acc. to her aunt, they think it’s from the 1890s. Since it has 45 stars (which indicates Utah was the newest state), that dates it f… --- ## [steel casing for ammunition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steel-casing-for-ammunition/779414)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2017, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steel-casing-for-ammunition/779414 "2017-02-11T02:02:21Z")
Watched an episode of NYPD Blue last night, in which steel casings from ammunition were an important detail in tracking down a spree killer. Why/When would a round be made with a steel casing instead of a brass casing? --- ## [What is common between a heart valve (loose) and feet arches (flat)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-common-between-a-heart-valve-loose-and-feet-arches-flat/779495)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-common-between-a-heart-valve-loose-and-feet-arches-flat/779495 "2017-02-11T01:53:54Z")
Was reminded in another thread. While getting a third opinion on surgery for s floppy heart valve, we were impressed/amazed/laughed when the cardiologist said “I bet you have flat feet,” because it seemed so out of the b… --- ## [A metal tube that 'unzips'? Does it exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-metal-tube-that-unzips-does-it-exist/777912)
**Author:** [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2017, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-metal-tube-that-unzips-does-it-exist/777912 "2017-02-11T01:09:49Z")
A standard metal tape measure has a slight transverse curve to it when unrolled, so that it has a certain rigidity and can hold itself straight against gravity. When it gets retracted back into the body of the tape measu… --- ## [What is the current status of people held up by the travel ban?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-current-status-of-people-held-up-by-the-travel-ban/779497)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2017, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-current-status-of-people-held-up-by-the-travel-ban/779497 "2017-02-11T00:35:26Z")
I keep hearing people talking about folks still being held up by the travel ban, but I’ve also been reading reports about how a bunch of people that were being held up have been released (sometimes after pretty horrible … --- ## [Why do (some) old people move so slowly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-old-people-move-so-slowly/636885)
**Author:** [@FuzzyOgre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuzzyOgre)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2017, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-old-people-move-so-slowly/636885 "2017-02-10T22:37:09Z")
Is it neurological, or a muscular issue? Perception of time? I know some old folks have balance issues, but others seem to do every thing slowly. A tiny old lady was tiny stepping along the side walk in my moms neighbou… --- ## [trying not to die \[supporting weight of van with hay to drop fuel tank\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-not-to-die-supporting-weight-of-van-with-hay-to-drop-fuel-tank/779214)
**Author:** [@shuttupdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shuttupdad)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2017, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-not-to-die-supporting-weight-of-van-with-hay-to-drop-fuel-tank/779214 "2017-02-10T21:56:10Z")
My question is a little unusual. In have a Chrysler town and country with the seats that fold into the floor. this moves the fuel tank nearly dead center of the van. I need to drop the tank but due to my girth need consi… --- ## ["Ducks in a row" in French (do not need answer soon)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ducks-in-a-row-in-french-do-not-need-answer-soon/778746)
**Author:** [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2017, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ducks-in-a-row-in-french-do-not-need-answer-soon/778746 "2017-02-10T21:08:47Z")
Ah, idioms - the best reason to never, ever, ask for a literal translation. I was wondering, is there one in French which would be equivalent to the English “having all your ducks in a row”? Merci! --- ## [How "waterproof" are bullets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-waterproof-are-bullets/533218)
**Author:** [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2010, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-waterproof-are-bullets/533218 "2010-03-22T02:18:25Z")
Powder guns are (in my estimation) subject to failure due to wet powder. Modern day guns use bullets with casings, and may not be subject to the same failure situations. So, in regards to wet bullets, what is the gener… --- ## [Fracking or missile silos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fracking-or-missile-silos/779460)
**Author:** [@bobohula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobohula)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2017, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fracking-or-missile-silos/779460 "2017-02-10T20:12:45Z")
When you fly over the USA you often see strange patterns, little white circles or squares all connected by little white lines in a large maze. What are these? I just flew over Texas by way of Dallas, and the countryside … --- ## [Know of a place that will sell Corian to non-certified installer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-of-a-place-that-will-sell-corian-to-non-certified-installer/241950)
**Author:** [@BoringDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoringDad)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2017, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/know-of-a-place-that-will-sell-corian-to-non-certified-installer/241950 "2017-02-10T20:03:50Z")
Corian, and other solid surface materials used in the kitchen and bath, are generally sold only to certified installers in order to maintain the long warantees on the finished product. This is most annoying to a longtim… --- ## ["100 Billion fps photo of ...." What? "Light?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-billion-fps-photo-of-what-light/779486)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2017, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-billion-fps-photo-of-what-light/779486 "2017-02-10T19:12:32Z")
This article appeared in Nature in 2016: Single-shot compressed ultrafast photography at one hundred billion frames per second and courtesy of Reddit is now circulating the Internet as newest-newsy news. This is supposed… --- ## [Medieval peasant vs modern American diet- which is healthier?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medieval-peasant-vs-modern-american-diet-which-is-healthier/778349)
**Author:** [@Marcus\_Flavius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marcus_Flavius)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2017, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medieval-peasant-vs-modern-american-diet-which-is-healthier/778349 "2017-02-10T18:52:11Z")
Take the diet/eating habits of an agrarian peasant in England from 1000- 1300 CE and compare it to that of your average urban American in 2017 CE. Which diet is the ‘healthier’ of the two? By ‘healthier’ I mean more cond… --- ## [How does a new address get propagated through GPS and mapping systems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-new-address-get-propagated-through-gps-and-mapping-systems/779417)
**Author:** [@Interrobang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Interrobang)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2017, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-new-address-get-propagated-through-gps-and-mapping-systems/779417 "2017-02-10T17:31:29Z")
My mother is moving to a newly constructed house, part of an entirely new subdivision on a new street. Her house is complete, and officially has a street address —but as of today, very few GPS or mapping systems accurate… --- ## [has menthol ever been used as a crowd control agent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-menthol-ever-been-used-as-a-crowd-control-agent/779340)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2017, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-menthol-ever-been-used-as-a-crowd-control-agent/779340 "2017-02-10T17:00:26Z")
Pepper spray works by stimulating the heat-sensitive nerve cells in one’s skin, causing an acute burning sensation. Menthol goes in the opposite direction, stimulating cold-sensing nerve cells. Years ago I toured the C… --- ## [Do ducks quack at night??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ducks-quack-at-night/402661)
**Author:** [@Shiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shiv)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2017, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ducks-quack-at-night/402661 "2017-02-10T15:44:36Z")
Outside a chateau in Provence on Monday, a loud and definite quacking struck up late at night. Fairly sure it was ducks I stood my ground until the next morning despite derision of my bedfellow. Forced to eat my canard t… --- ## [Can I do a ping from my iPhone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-do-a-ping-from-my-iphone/606176)
**Author:** [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2011, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-do-a-ping-from-my-iphone/606176 "2011-12-14T19:08:04Z")
I want to ping a server from outside my company’s network. Can I do it with my iPhone? Googling turns up a million hits for the new ping function in iTunes (bastards!) that I can’t wade through. Thanks! --- ## [What can I really see.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-really-see/779383)
**Author:** [@SheldonMath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SheldonMath)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2017, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-really-see/779383 "2017-02-10T08:25:21Z")
Everytime when I think, I like to look at something constant and well the sky to. What I noticed is that there little circles fallin and tiny stars. Everytime that happens I juss thought it was common and out of the ques… --- ## [Secret Service protection, who gets it and for how long?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-service-protection-who-gets-it-and-for-how-long/779418)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2017, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-service-protection-who-gets-it-and-for-how-long/779418 "2017-02-10T06:17:30Z")
According to the Daily Mail Clinton was “spotted arriving at her daughter’s home on Wednesday night with Secret Service in tow.” Now I’m not concerned with her comings and goings but just wanted to ask a general questio… --- ## [Does the US military take in account military service in other countries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-us-military-take-in-account-military-service-in-other-countries/779415)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2017, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-us-military-take-in-account-military-service-in-other-countries/779415 "2017-02-10T04:41:03Z")
There have been a few famous cases of US servicemen who have had fairly long careers in other another nations armed forces before coming to the US military (e.g. Ray Rescorla, Morgan Stanley security chief in the WTC on … --- ## [Clothes Dryer Problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-dryer-problem/779324)
**Author:** [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2017, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothes-dryer-problem/779324 "2017-02-09T18:51:09Z")
Whirlpool Model leq558kq0. The only way to get the dryer to work is to put upward pressure on the timer knob. Sometimes if you carefully let go it will continue to run, sometimes not. I am assuming I need a new timer.… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=776) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/factual-questions/9.md?page=778)