In this episode of the Off Ramp, Bob and Marcia discuss the first cathedral in the New World, built by Vikings in Greenland around 1124, predating the Spanish by 366 years. They explore the history of Argyle socks, tracing their origin to Scottish tartans. Bob reveals that Elijah Gray, Alexander Graham Bell’s rival, founded Western Electric, later used by Bell. Marcia quizzes Bob on geography and history, including the largest library (Library of Congress) and the first White House state dinner (1874, hosted by Ulysses Grant for King David Kalakaua). They also touch on historical figures like Cleopatra and King Henry VIII.
Outline
Viking Cathedral in Greenland
- Bob Smith asks Marcia Smith about the first cathedral in the New World, revealing it was built by the Vikings.
- Marcia Smith is surprised, as she thought the Vikings burned churches, but Bob explains that by 1000 AD, most Vikings were Christian.
- The first cathedral was built in Greenland around 1124 by Bishop Arnold, appointed by King Sigurd the Crusader of Norway.
- The cathedral was built with stone walls, a cemetery, a bishop’s house, and had about 160 animals. It was dedicated to Saint Nicholas.
- The colony collapsed around 1400 due to a little ice age, African ivory trade, and the Black Death, leading to Europe forgetting about the Viking cathedral.
Argyle Socks and Scottish Tartans
- Bob Smith and Marcia Smith discuss the inspiration for Argyle socks, with Bob initially thinking it was the Vikings.
- Marcia Smith reveals that the inspiration was Scottish tartans, specifically the Campbell clan tartan.
- Bob Archibald Campbell, the Duke of Argyle, had his socks woven to resemble his clan tartan, leading to the creation of the Argyle pattern.
- The Duke of Argyle’s influence led to the naming of the style after him, and it has been a popular sock pattern since.
Technology and Elijah Gray
- Bob Smith mentions Elijah Gray, Alexander Graham Bell’s rival, and his role in creating the company that later manufactured Bell’s telephones.
- Elijah Gray and his partner Enos Barton built a telegraph equipment company called Gray and Barton, which was later bought by Western Union.
- Western Union renamed the company to Western Electric, which later became the manufacturing arm for Bell’s telephones.
- Bell sued Western Electric for infringing on his patents, leading to his control of Western Electric.
Marcia Smith’s Geography Quiz
- Marcia Smith presents a geography quiz, asking Bob Smith to identify the thermal bath capital of the world, the city with the oldest metro system, and the capital of Hungary.
- Bob Smith correctly identifies Budapest as the thermal bath capital and the city with the oldest metro system, and Marcia Smith confirms it is Budapest.
- They discuss the thermal baths in Budapest and the Library of Congress, which was established in Washington, D.C., to serve as the first library in the new city.
Historical Trivia and Facts
- Bob Smith and Marcia Smith discuss various historical trivia, including the number of wives King Henry VIII had who were ladies in waiting, and the complexity of cow’s blood compared to human blood.
- They also discuss the first White House state dinner, which was hosted by President Ulysses Grant in 1874 for King David Kalakaua of Hawaii.
- Marcia Smith provides a brief history of Hawaii’s independence and the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy by U.S. business interests.
Cleopatra and the Olympic Games
- Bob Smith and Marcia Smith discuss Cleopatra, noting that she was of Greek extraction and could speak multiple languages.
- They also discuss the largest attendance at an Olympic Games, which was in 1996 in Atlanta, with 8.3 million tickets sold.
- Marcia Smith presents a category of classic board games, with Bob Smith guessing the names of various games like Sorry, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Twister, Candy Land, Yahtzee, and Connect Four.
Connecticut’s Charter Oak
- Marcia Smith asks Bob Smith about the colony whose charter was hidden in an oak tree, and Bob Smith identifies Connecticut.
- The colony was granted a royal charter in 1662 by King Charles II, and the charter was hidden in a hollow oak tree during a debate over its revocation.
- The Charter Oak became a symbol of freedom and self-determination for Connecticut.
Geography Quiz and Quotes
- Marcia Smith presents a geography quiz, asking Bob Smith to name the three countries that border Finland.
- Bob Smith correctly identifies Sweden, Russia, and Norway as the countries that border Finland.
- They conclude the episode with quotes from Ben Franklin, Henry Kissinger, and Phyllis Diller, discussing various humorous and insightful quotes.
