# Lateral Thinking Puzzles. Let's do it again! **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [October 23, 2019, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193 "2019-10-23T21:32:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 154
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3062 "2020-05-29T10:52:59Z")
Recap. Around 1989-1990, Kendall completed a transaction in which he presumably bought or sold something that can be described with adjectives sugary or sweet tasting. As a result of this, he inadvertently ‘cornered the market’ for something and became in control of vast resources of which only 5 other people on the planet had greater amounts of. Did Kendall buy or sell in the transaction? Was the transaction money based? How much? Over $1,000? $1 million? $100 million? Did Kendall’s rise to power happen immediately after the transaction, or did it take time to develop? Was the transaction for a company? a commodity? a collection? In hindsight was his transaction partner disappointed with the transaction, having missed out on Kendall’s benefits? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3063 "2020-05-29T14:13:01Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Is there a specific sweet item that might enlighten if we identify it? > > **I would not say it would enlighten you, but it is probably worth knowing/figuring-out.** > > Is there a reason for the the “sixth” most powerful person as opposed to the say, eighth or third most powerful? > > **NO, it just was.** > > Would it help to identify the other five who were more powerful? > > **NO** > > Were the people who said Kendall was the sixth most powerful person being serious? > > **NO - not really** > > Were the people saying this qualified to make up that statement? Experts? > > \*\*I have no idea. It wasn’t _that serious._ > > Is it power as in influence? Physical strength? Military control? Monetary control? > > **Military control** > [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Recap. Around 1989-1990, Kendall completed a transaction in which he presumably bought or sold something that can be described with adjectives sugary or sweet tasting. As a result of this, he inadvertently ‘cornered the market’ for something and became in control of vast resources of which only 5 other people on the planet had greater amounts of. > > **YES** > > Did Kendall buy or sell in the transaction? > > **SELL** > > Was the transaction money based? How much? Over $1,000? $1 million? $100 million? > > **NOT money, but the sweet deal was worth over three billion USD.** > > Did Kendall’s rise to power happen immediately after the transaction, or did it take time to develop? > > **IMMEDIATELY** > > Was the transaction for a company? a commodity? a collection? > > **COMPANY** > > In hindsight was his transaction partner disappointed with the transaction, having missed out on Kendall’s benefits? > > **NO** Great questions, keep 'em coming. ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3064 "2020-05-29T14:27:22Z")
If not literal sugar, something related to artificial sweeteners? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3065 "2020-05-29T14:37:30Z")
OK, it was military power: That gives us something. Were nuclear weapons involved? Were chemical weapons involved? Were biological weapons involved? Were non-nuclear explosives involved? Were military vehicles involved? Were large numbers of military personnel involved? Were personal firearms involved? Were large (i.e., large enough to not be man-portable) guns involved? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3066 "2020-05-29T14:40:15Z")
Does it have anything to do with the idea that an army marches on its stomach? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3067 "2020-05-29T15:03:08Z")
Is Sweet or Sugar a proper noun? Someone’s name? A colmpany name, or part of one? Is Alan Sugar involved? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3068 "2020-05-29T15:14:07Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > … A colmpany name … company. :o ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3069 "2020-05-29T21:41:59Z")
> [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser](#): > > If not literal sugar, something related to artificial sweeteners? It IS literally sugar. Sugar is in what the sweet deal involved, but pure sugar is not the item itself. > [@Chronos](#): > > OK, it was military power: That gives us something. > > Were nuclear weapons involved? > > NO > > Were chemical weapons involved? > > NO > > Were biological weapons involved? > > NO > > Were non-nuclear explosives involved? > > NO - not in the sense of “bombs” an so forth > > Were military vehicles involved? > > YES > > Were large numbers of military personnel involved? > > NO > > Were personal firearms involved? > > NO > > Were large (i.e., large enough to not be man-portable) guns involved? > > YES, partly. This is what I mean by “explosives, but not bombs”. > [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Does it have anything to do with the idea that an army marches on its stomach? NO > [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Is Sweet or Sugar a proper noun? Someone’s name? A colmpany name, or part of one? > > NO > > Is Alan Sugar involved? > > NO kk ---
**Author:** ![SurrenderDorothy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/surrenderdorothy/32/1221_2.png) [@SurrenderDorothy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SurrenderDorothy)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3070 "2020-05-29T21:49:11Z")
Is there anything to do with Bazooka gum? A specific brand of sweets? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3071 "2020-05-29T22:22:47Z")
Candy issued as part of military rations/ MRE’s? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3072 "2020-05-29T22:24:19Z")
Does this involve sabotage of vehicles? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2020, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3073 "2020-05-29T23:43:52Z")
> [@SurrenderDorothy](#): > > Is there anything to do with Bazooka gum? > A specific brand of sweets? NO - I understand sweets to mean “candy”. > [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Candy issued as part of military rations/ MRE’s? NO > [@Chronos](#): > > Does this involve sabotage of vehicles? NO ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2020, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3074 "2020-05-30T21:52:48Z")
Were the sweets not candy? Cakes or pies? Sodas? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2020, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3075 "2020-05-30T21:56:39Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > Were the sweets not candy? > > NOT CANDY > > Cakes or pies? > > NO > > Sodas? > > YES ok ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2020, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3076 "2020-05-30T22:06:55Z")
Something to do with Coca Cola? New Coke? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2020, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3077 "2020-05-30T22:26:38Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Something to do with Coca Cola? > > New Coke? NO to both. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2020, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3078 "2020-05-30T22:34:20Z")
Note: It’s **Pepsi**. Let’s not take up time asking about every soda brand in the world. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2020, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3079 "2020-05-30T22:56:14Z")
Attempting to add on to **Cheesesteak** ’s earlier recap… Around 1989-1990, Kendall completed a transaction in which he presumably sold Pepsi. As a result of this, he inadvertently ‘cornered the market’ for something and was granted enough ‘military control” that only 5 other people on the planet had greater amounts of it. Military vehicles were involved in the military control. Large guns were also involved. The transaction was worth over 3 billion USD. The military control occurred immediately after the transaction. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2020, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3080 "2020-05-30T23:51:07Z")
Ooh, I think I know this one: Pepsi had some sort of promotion where you could trade in some sort of points, to win various prizes. One of the prizes they showed in a commercial (which they thought was obviously meant as a joke) was a fighter jet, for a million points or some such. Some guy took them up on it, and they had to find some way to settle with him. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2020, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193/3081 "2020-05-31T00:47:51Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > Attempting to add on to **Cheesesteak** ’s earlier recap… > > Around 1989-1990, Kendall completed a transaction in which he presumably sold Pepsi. As a result of this, he inadvertently ‘cornered the market’ for something and was granted enough ‘military control” that only 5 other people on the planet had greater amounts of it. Military vehicles were involved in the military control. Large guns were also involved. The transaction was worth over 3 billion USD. The military control occurred immediately after the transaction. \*\*Military vehicles that had large guns on them. Otherwise, your summary seems right.\*\* > [@Chronos](#): > > Ooh, I think I know this one: Pepsi had some sort of promotion where you could trade in some sort of points, to win various prizes. One of the prizes they showed in a commercial (which they thought was obviously meant as a joke) was a fighter jet, for a million points or some such. Some guy took them up on it, and they had to find some way to settle with him. \*\*I do remember that. This is entirely unrelated. \*\* [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=153) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lateral-thinking-puzzles-lets-do-it-again/842193.md?page=155)