10 questions from the program “What? Where? When?" to test erudition and ingenuity

– 1 –

In San Francisco, a heart of stone can be seen in front of the main entrance to one building. This monument was erected for the edification of those who believe that the employees of this institution can be pityed. What kind of institution is this?

– 2 –

Once on the streets of Ancient Greece one could meet a man carrying a hand made of marble. Or a man carrying an eye of gold. And even a person who had some kind of internal organ made of silver with him. They all went to the temple of Asclepius. What kind of people were they and what united them?

– 3 –

In 1948, the writer Lev Uspensky published an article about a bummer who existed in tsarist Russia. Only in the novel by L. N. Tolstoy's "War and Peace" researcher has found 115,000 such idlers. He found out that in 1894, when only this novel was published, a thousand cubic meters of forest were harvested for the "parasite". Whom or what did the writer mean?

– 4 –

What do the Finns mean when they say about a person: “His back is unwashed”?

– 5 –

In the old days, women independently made linen and yarn. They did it all night long. Why did the craftswomen put a saucer of cranberries next to them before spinning?

– 6 –

The Roman emperor Licinius, who lacked another 16.6% of the amount of taxes collected annually for complete happiness, managed, without increasing the monthly tax, to increase treasury receipts from the citizens of Rome. Licinius could have increased the amount by 8.3%, but he wanted by 16.6%. What decree did he issue to get what he wanted?

– 7 –

In the 5th century BC. e. merchants from Armenia, going down the Euphrates River, brought Phoenician wine to Babylon. They made the skeleton of a ship out of willow rods, covered them with skins. Then they loaded the ship with vessels of wine, took on board a few donkeys and set off. Why did they need donkeys?

– 8 –

Before using this device, especially neat owners place it in a bucket and boil it for two hours, periodically changing the water. Sometimes they add pine needles, thyme or wormwood to the water. Then, without touching with bare hands, put the device in a canvas bag and carry it to where it will be used for its intended purpose. What is this about?

– 9 –

Once a king turned to his jester: "Explain why my income is decreasing and decreasing?" In response, the jester lined up all the courtiers, gave the last of them an object and asked, passing from hand to hand, to deliver it king. When the item finally fell into the hands of the ruler, he understood why his income was decreasing. What did the courtiers convey?

– 10 –

It is said that some families in Malaysia sometimes have an interesting action. As a rule, in the evening, the hostess of the house begins to list the names of all her relatives and those of her husband up to the tenth to fifteenth tribe. At what point does she stop this transfer?

The puzzles for this collection are taken from this archive.

How many questions were answered? Let us know in the comments!