Answer Man xx-xx-xx Skywriting

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Answer Man xx-xx-xx Skywriting
Air Date: December 30, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Main Feature: The Answer Man – "a program that answers your questions"
Focus: Showcasing quirky, educational Q&A from the Golden Age of Radio

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Episode Overview

This episode features a nostalgic recreation of “The Answer Man,” a popular radio show format from the pre-television era. The format is a rapid-fire session of fascinating listener-submitted questions, delivered with wit and expertise, covering everything from the physics of skywriting to historical tidbits, advice on domestic mishaps, and reflections on American traditions. The tone is conversational, breezy, and rooted in the Americana of the 1940s.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Interesting Facts from Listener Questions (01:25-13:50)

• Skywriting Letter Size

  • Q: “How high does a skywriter make the letters?”
  • A: “A skywriting pilot usually makes the letters about one mile high.”
  • (01:38, Answer Man)

• Chirping Crickets

  • Q: “Is it true only the male cricket chirps?”
  • A: “Yes, the male cricket does all the chirping. The female remains silent and just listens.”
  • (01:49, Answer Man)

• First Thanksgiving Weather

  • Q: “Did the Pilgrims have snow during their first Thanksgiving?”
  • A: “Evidently not. History tells us the tables… were set outdoors, so there was no snow.”
  • (02:02, Answer Man)

• Ivy League Name Origin & Members

  • Comprehensive explanation linking “ivy covered walls” to the old and prestigious institutions; includes a brief error by listing Army and Navy among members.
  • (02:20, Answer Man)

• World-Record Steer

  • Q: “What was the heaviest steer on record?”
  • A: “A steer named Jerry weighed 4,628 pounds at 10 years old.”
  • (02:48, Answer Man)

• Benjamin Franklin’s Burial Place

  • Clarifies confusion over graveyard location; historical detail about Christ’s Church in Philadelphia.
  • (03:28, Answer Man)

• Boston Police Strike

  • Q: “When was the Boston police strike?”
  • A: “September 9, 1919. Also, Winnipeg and Montreal had police strikes in 1919 and 1943, respectively.”
  • (03:56, Answer Man)

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2. Domestic & Practical Advice (04:13-04:48)

• Unclogging a Rifle Barrel
  • An elaborate, period-appropriate solution involving penetrating oil, heat, and a cleaning rod for removing objects wedged in a rifle barrel.
  • (04:26, Answer Man)

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3. Record Setters and Quirky Calculations

• Golden Gate Bridge Sway

  • “It can take a horizontal movement of a little more than 20ft without overstressing the structure.” (04:55, Answer Man)

• Plymouth Rock Weight and Structure

  • Details its weight (about 7 tons) and history of splitting and being cemented. (05:37, Answer Man)

• How Long to Push a Baby Carriage to California?

  • “If you pushed 10 hours a day, your baby would be about five months old when you arrived.” (06:14, Answer Man)

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4. Historical & Language Origins

• Terhune Name Origin

  • Links the name to Old Norse and Teutonic roots. (05:16, Answer Man)

• Vich in Russian Names

  • “Vich in Russian means son of. Therefore, Ivanovich means son of Ivan.” (10:04, Answer Man)

• Old Bailey’s History and Name

  • Origin as Central Criminal Court, replacing the old Newgate Prison. (12:54, Answer Man)

• George Herbert’s "Jacula Prudentum"

  • Noted as a collection of “darts of wise men”—familiar proverbs, including “He that lies with a dog riseth with fleas.” (13:26, Answer Man)

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5. Natural Curiosities

• Fastest Growing Grass

  • “The grass that grows the fastest is bamboo, which will grow from 6 to 14 inches in a single day.” (08:01, Answer Man)

• How Bees Cool Their Hive

  • Bees “stand at the opening of the hive and circulate fresh air… by flapping their wings.” (08:14, Answer Man)

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6. Cultural Americana & Thanksgiving Insights

• Thanksgiving Leftovers

  • “So much food was prepared… it took almost a week to eat it all up.” (06:36, Answer Man)
  • Commentary on cold turkey sandwiches as a modern treat. (06:43, Host)

• Indigenous Pumpkin Pie

  • “No, because they didn’t know how to make pie crust. However, the Indians did make a pumpkin pudding with maple syrup.” (08:46, Answer Man)

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7. Social & Legal Rights

• GI Bill Medical Rights
  • “If your husband received an injury in the line of duty, he is entitled to free medical attention.” (08:35, Answer Man)

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8. Card Games, Furs, and More Oddities

• Number of American Card Games:

  • “There are said to be 77 different card games played in the United States. This does not include variations.” (12:27, Answer Man)

• Burunduke Fur Source:

  • “Comes from a little Siberian chipmunk.” (12:42, Answer Man)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Strange Family Names:

  • “It is quite possible that the huen of Terhune is derived from an Old Norse term which appears in English as hound.” (05:16, Answer Man)

• On American Values and Thanksgiving:

  • “One of the characteristics of the American way is the love of seeing a job through. That’s what made our men keep on fighting until the enemy was beaten on every front, east and west, land and sea...” (11:05, Host – Sponsor Message)

• On the Motivation for Listener Participation:

  • “If you have a question you want answered, ask the answer man. Ask any question you wish, and provided it’s not of a personal nature and does not violate professional ethics, you will get the answer by mail and without charge.” (13:50, Host)

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Memorable & Novel Elements

• Quirky Calculations:

  • Estimating the time to push a baby carriage across the country based on ten hours daily walking.

• Historical Details:

  • Specifics on Old Bailey, Benjamin Franklin’s gravesite, and early 20th-century labor strikes.

• Eclectic Mix:

  • The episode features everything from zoology to etymology, sports rules, and home-troubleshooting—an authentic slice of curiosity-driven entertainment.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:30] Skywriting letters height
• [01:49] Male cricket chirping
• [02:02] Pilgrims' Thanksgiving weather
• [02:20] Ivy League name and colleges
• [02:48] Heaviest steer
• [03:28] Benjamin Franklin’s grave
• [03:56] Boston Police Strike history
• [04:26] Removing an obstruction from a rifle
• [04:55] Golden Gate Bridge sway
• [05:16] Origin of "Terhune"
• [05:37] Weight and history of Plymouth Rock
• [06:14] Baby carriage cross-country trek
• [06:36] Thanksgiving leftovers
• [08:01] Fastest growing grass
• [08:14] Bees air conditioning their hive
• [08:35] GI Bill and veteran medical rights
• [08:46] Indigenous pumpkin pie
• [10:04] Russian name endings explained
• [12:27] Number of American card games listed
• [12:42] Source of burunduke fur
• [12:54] History of Old Bailey in London
• [13:26] Jacula prudentum proverbs

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Tone & Style

• The dialogue is warm, direct, and expert—in the fashion of knowledgeable but approachable radio hosts of the 1940s.
• Answers are succinct but informative, reflecting the “just the facts” approach.

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This episode is a playful, fact-filled journey through Americana and puzzling curiosities, reflecting not only the breadth of popular knowledge in the mid-20th century, but also the radio era’s close connection to its audience and everyday lives.

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

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[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

The premium beer that is Two Ways Light, presents Albert Mitchell's program the Answerman, the program that answers your questions. Just as Tromer's White Label answers America's demand for a lighter, finer premium beer, the Answer man is presented as a service to you to give you the answers to your questions. And here he is, the Answer Man.

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Now, if you'll read the first questions.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

All right. First, a Brooklyn youngster asks, when a skywriter is up in the sky making letters, how high does he make the letters?

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

A skywriting pilot usually makes the letters about one mile high.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

Next, a South Pole Long island listener inquires, is it true that only the male cricket children.

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

Yes, the male cricket does all the chirping. The female remains silent and just listens.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

And here's a question which comes from a Pompton Lakes, New Jersey man. Did the Pilgrims have snow for their first Thanksgiving dinner?

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

Evidently not. For history books tell us the tables for the first Thanksgiving were set outdoors so we can surmise that there was no snow at the time.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

A Rahway, New Jersey listener adds, why is the Ivy League in college football so named, and what colleges belong to it?

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

The Ivy League got its name because the colleges are all old institutions with ivy covered walls. The members are so grouped because of the similarity of their athletic standards and eligibility rules. The 10 colleges comprising the Ivy League are Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Cornell, Pennsylvania, Columbia, army, and Navy.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

A listener living in Kingston, New York, inquires, how much did the heaviest steer on record weigh?

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

The Department of Agriculture doesn't have any official records of the weights of beef cattle of unusual size. However, several years ago the Holstein Friesian association of America reported a steer named Jerry as weighing 4,628 pounds when it was 10 years old. Jerry probably never got any heavier, and this may be the record.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

A bail New Jersey woman writes, just where is Benjamin Franklin buried in the book? Along these streets it says, in Christchurch Graveyard, Second and Market streets, Philadelphia. But at Fifth and Market there is a grave marked Benjamin Franklin and his Wife.

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

When Franklin died in 1790, he was buried as requested in his will beside his wife in Christ's Church burying ground. Christ's Church itself is at Second street between Market and Arch, and there are some graves in the churchyard. This may have been the reason for the error in the book, for Franklin is buried in the Christ's Church burying grounds at 5th and Arch.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

A Croton on Hudson man asks, when was it the police in Boston went on strike?

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

Also in Canada, the Boston police went on strike strike September 9, 1919 and a large number of the Winnipeg, Canada city police force went on strike in the spring of the same year. Montreal also had a police strike December 14th and 15th in 1943.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

Alyssa writes from Hicksville, Long island, my youngster wedged a cleaning cloth and two nails in my.22 repeater rifle. I tried poking these things out, but it can't be done. What do you advise?

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

Stand the rifle up on the butt and pour a little of some light penetrating oil down the bore. Let it stand for a couple of days, then heat the barrel at the point of the obstruction until it's very hot but not red hot. The oil will lubricate the bore and the heat will reduce the size of the obstruction by charring it. Then you should be able to push it out with a cleaning rod.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

A Manhattan listener wants to know how far the Golden Gate Bridge in California can sway in a heavy wind.

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

The Golden Gate Bridge is constructed so that it can take a horizontal movement of a little more than 20ft without overstressing the structure.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

A West Milford, New Jersey man writes, Please dispel some of the fog in northern Passaic county by answering the following question. What is the original meaning of the famous family name Terhune?

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

It is quite possible that the huen of Terhune is derived from an Old Norse term which appears in English as hound. Probably ter is an English form of the Teutonic article dare, meaning the A.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

Bronx youngster asks, how much does Plymouth Rock weigh? And isn't it one big boulder Plymouth.

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

Rock weighs about 7 tons. It was originally one big boulder, but shortly after the revolution, in an attempt to move the rock to Plymouth Town Square, a split appeared. The upper part was afterwards cemented onto the base so it looks like one rock. But though today you can see only a small part of the rock, you can still see the crack.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

A man writes from New Haven, Connecticut, we have just had a baby. And while I sat in the hospital waiting for it to arrive, I got to thinking, how long would it take me to push a baby carriage from here to California if I pushed 10 hours a day?

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

If you put your newborn baby in a baby carriage and pushed it for 10 hours a day, when you reached California, your baby would be about five months old.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

Here's a letter from a man in Brooklyn. He writes, I've been thinking about the Pilgrims first Thanksgiving dinner and wondering if they too had to eat leftovers for the next six or seven days.

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

Yes, so much food was prepared for the first Thanksgiving Day feast. It took almost a week to eat it all up.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

Well, we have little cause to complain about such leftovers, especially today when a cold turkey sandwich is such a tasty treat with a tall, satisfying glass of Tromer's White Label, the one grain premium beer. Now there's something to be really thankful about. You know, Tromer's finer, lighter flavor makes leftovers doubly delicious because Trommer's White Label is the famous one grain beer. That's two ways light, light as you drink it and light after you drink it. And as a reason for the extra lightness, it's Tromer's famous Old World method of brewing, a method that calls for only one kind of grain, fine barley malt. That's the costlier all malt method, as full of tradition as Thanksgiving Day itself. That gives Tromer's White Label that satisfying, hearty, real beer flavor you like so well. So when you order beer, be sure to ask for Tromer's White Label premium beer. Then just taste and compare. And now here's the next question a Farmingdale, Long island man asks. How fast will grass grow? Any kind of grass?

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

The grass that grows the fastest is bamboo, which will grow from 6 to 14 inches in a single day.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

And a New York City listener inquires, is it true bees air condition their hide?

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

Oh, yes. Some of the worker bees have nothing else to do but stand at the opening of the hive and circulate fresh air through it by flapping their wings.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

A woman living in Moose of Connecticut writes My husband is an honorably discharged veteran. I would like to know if he is entitled to a medical checkup Every year or so under the GI Bill of Rights.

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

If your husband received an injury in the line of duty, he is entitled to free medical attention.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

A Hewitt, New Jersey youngster wants to know if the Indians knew how to make pumpkin pie.

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

No, because they didn't know how to make pie crust. However, the Indians did make a pumpkin pudding with maple syrup.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

And a note from a New York City man reads, Sometime around 1938, there was a Stop Hitler parade held on Fifth Avenue. Could you tell me how many people took part in this parade?

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

The anti Nazi parade on Fifth Avenue took place at 1:30pm on March 25, 1939. There was an estimated 10,000 people in the line of March.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

An inward Long island man writes, please settle this dispute for us. In playing auction pinochle, does a player receive a certain extra sum for 100 in aces before or after the pickup? And does he get double if he has 200 in aces?

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

If it's been agreed upon before the game of auction pinochle that a bonus for a hundred aces is to be awarded, it should be decided at the time when the bonus is to be given and also whether or not a double bonus should be given for 200 aces. There is no provision for any bonus in the official rules, although it's practiced in many, many localities.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

A listener of Trenton, New Jersey, inquires, what does Vich v I C H mean in Russian? They always seem to use it for Russian people's names, like in Ivanovich?

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

Vich in Russian means son of. Therefore, Ivanovich means son of Ivan.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

A Milford, New Jersey man wants to know how many fishermen spend each year in this country for fish hooks.

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

The only figures available at this time are for 1939. In that year, the value of fishhooks produced in the United States was $821,020. Imports amounted to $387,098. Total manufactured and imports of fishhooks was therefore $1,208,118. The retail value was probably double this.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

And now a Bayonne, New Jersey student inquires, what other product besides nylon do they get when turning coal into coke?

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

Among the other products obtained from the process of turning coal into coke, they get vitamins, sulfur drugs and perfumes.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

A Hampton, New Jersey woman asks, what was the name of the actor in this love of ours who took Merle.

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

Oberon's stockings off Charles Corvin, who also put Merle Oberon's stockings back on again. Before you go on with the rest of the questions, here's a special Thanksgiving Day message from our sponsor. You know, although people celebrate Thanksgiving in many parts of the world, it was originally an American celebration, part of the famous American way of life. Of course, that means a lot of things. The freedom to give thanks in any way you please. The freedom to live at peace with your neighbor, regardless of his race or color or creed. And one of the characteristics of the American way is the love of seeing a job through. That's what made our men keep on fighting until the enemy was beaten on every front, east and west, land and sea. And that's the thing that will keep every American investing his dollars in victory Bonds until Uncle Sam says the job is done. Thank you, Mr. And Mrs. America. Until that day, we know you will keep on buying victory bonds. You will, won't you? Now for the next question.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

Here it is. A Bronx man asks, have you any idea how many different card games Americans play?

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

There are said to be 77 different card games played in the United States. This does not include variations.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

And as Staten island listener inquires, would you please tell me what kind of an animal burunduke fur comes from?

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

Borondukee fur comes from a little Siberian chipmunk.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

This question comes from a New Britain, Connecticut man. When was Old Bailey built in London, and doesn't it have another name?

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

Yes, the Old Bailey in London was completed and put into use in 1905 and is called the Central Criminal Court. It gets this name from its location being at the intersection of Old Bailey and Newgate streets. It occupies the site of the old Newgate Prison, which was started in 1770 but not completed until 1782. This old building was torn down in 1902 and replaced with a present building.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

A Rayville, New Jersey man asked, what was George Herbert's Jacula Prudentum?

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

George Herbert's Jacula prudentum was a collection of adages and familiar sayings which appeared in a collection called outlandish proverbs. Iacula prudentum may be translated darts of wise men. One of the most widely quoted of these proverbs appears in Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard. He that lies with a dog riseth with fleas.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

If you have a question you want answered, ask the answer man. Ask any question you wish, and provided it's not of a personal nature and does not violate professional ethics, you will get the answer by mail and without charge. Send your question together with a stamped addressed envelope to the Answer man. W O R New York 18. When the answerman returns to the air tomorrow evening at 7:15, he will broadcast the answers to such questions as what is the greatest number of perfect games ever bowled by one man? Why was King Arthur's table round? Which president of the United States lived the longest? How far away from a railroad can you get in this country? When were ball bearings first used? Does a robin run or hop? And how many germs do you scatter around when you sneeze? So join us again tomorrow evening at 7:15 for Albert Mitchell's program, the answer Man. In the meantime, try Tromer's White Label, the premium beer that two ways light. Remember, Tromer's White Label is light as you drink it and light after you drink it. Next time, ask for Tromer's White Label. Then just taste and compare. This program was presented by John F. Tromer Incorporated, brewers of America's largest selling malt beer with breweries in Brooklyn, New York and Orange, New Jersey.

[RealReal Customer / Mrs. Claus's Sister]

Guys, thanks for helping me carry my Christmas tree.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

Zoe, this thing weighs a ton.

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

Drewski, live with your legs, man.

[Podcast Host]

Santa. Santa, did you get my letter?

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

He's talking to you, Bridges. I'm not.

[RealReal Customer / Mrs. Claus's Sister]

Of course he did. Right, Santa?

[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

You know my elf, Drew Ski here.

[Answer Man Show Host / T-Mobile Spokesperson]

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[Answer Man / Elf Drew Ski]

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