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Trivia & General Knowledge

Contents

Introduction

First & Familiar Favorites

Little Hands

Moving Parts

Trivia & General Knowledge

Additional Resources

What Emperor burned Rome? What is the area and depth of Lake Superior? What part of a fish weighs the most?

How many did you know the answer to without Googling? Trivia games have stood the test of time and remain popular with the young and old alike. Trivia games of the 19th and early 20th centuries were produced in a variety of forms, ranging from simple decks of cards to elaborate boxed games with unique mechanisms for finding the answer. Questions ranged in difficulty with simpler trivia written for children, more complex trivia for adults, and even punny jokes.

The next time you sit down for game night, take a moment to reflect on the long tradition of games in America. The joy you experience is the same that has been felt by countless Americans throughout our country’s history. Whether you play to win, learn new skills, or test your trivia knowledge… just don’t forget to have fun!

Set of six cards with rebus puzzles printed on them.

Hidden Titles. Salem, Massachusetts: Parker Brothers. Circa 1900.

Box and cards from "Vignette Authors." Cards depict famous authors including Bayard Taylor, Elsie Venner, and Wilkie Collins along with the names of their popular works.

Vignette authors. New York: E.G. Selchow & Co. 1874 (above).

Famous paintings. Cincinnati: Fireside Game Co., Cincinnati Game Co., successors. 1897 (right).

Red box for "1117 Famous Paintings."
Card from "1117 Famous Paintings." "What School Men Say about Educational School Games" with testimonials and information on requesting a list and description of school games.
Card from "1117 Famous Paintings." Header reads "There is no Royal Road" and body text describes incorporating entertainment into education.
Card from "1117 Famous Paintings." List of "Educational Home Games" with topics including Shakespeare, authors, flags, the New Testament, and the Mayflower.
Card from "1117 Famous Paintings." Depicts "Michael Angelo's" "The Fates."
Card from "1117 Famous Paintings" depicting "Cherub from Madonna di San Sisto."
Card from "1117 Famous Paintings" depicting "Breakfast in the Wine Cellar" by E. Grutzner.
Card from "1117 Famous Paintings" depicting L. Knaus' "First Profits."
Card from "1117 Famous Paintings" depicting Correggio's "Diana."
Card from "1117 Famous Paintings" depicting Rosa Bonheur's "On the Alert."
Card from "1117 Famous Paintings" depicting Sir Edwin Landseer's "The Sick Monkey."
Card from "1117 Famous Paintings" depicting Correggio's "Group of Angel's Heads."
Card from "1117 Famous Paintings" depicting Raphael's "Sixth Hour of the Night."
Card from "1117 Famous Paintings" depicting Raphael's "Third Hour of the Night."
Card from "1117 Famous Paintings" depicting Titian's "Portrait of Titian, by Himself."
Card from "1117 Famous Paintings" depicting Titian's "Bella."
Card from "1117 Famous Paintings" depicting Sir Frederick Leighton's "The Music Lesson."
Card from "1117 Famous Paintings" depicting Titian's "Head of Sleeping Venus."
Cover of the boardgame "Chiromagica," depicting a wizard standing near a black cat, a globe, and many books and papers.
Board for "Chiromagica" with question wheels removed. Board features two concentric circles, the inner with questions and the outer with their corresponding answers.

Chiromagica. New York: McLoughlin Brothers. Circa 1880.

Box cover of "The World's Educator" with the tagline "50 Dollars worth of information." Illustrated cover features a globe, a rose, a train, and colorful patterning.
"The World's Educator" opened to show the numbered grid of hints along with the wheel which gives you a number and letter.

The World’s Educator. Leominster, Massachusetts: W.S. Reed Toy Co. 1887.

Trivia Solutions

Answers: Nero; Area: 32,000 square miles, Depth: 1,000 feet; The Scales

Moving Parts
Additional Resources