The Silver Ghost and First Bank Notes

The name Rolls Royce symbolizes class and elegance. One of the best known cars in the world with fanatic fan following, it was created by Charles rolls and Henry Royce. First time made in 1906, for long Rolls Royce was known as the best car in the world. The superior quality of the craftsmanship gave the car phenomenal fame. The car is renowned as ‘Silver Ghost’ because of its glittery aluminum body and quietness resembling to ghosts. The mascot of the car is quite famous as ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’. Silver ghost was the first car to have hand brake and folding windscreen especially designed for rear seat passengers.

The story behind invention of bank notes is quite interesting. The story goes back to 10th century when coins used for trade and business used to be very heavy. So people instead of carrying these heavy coins, preferred to take handwritten receipts from the merchants in exchange of coins. To solve the problem, Chinese government started printing notes that had fixed values. That is said to be the origin of bank notes. In 17th century, European nations also got hold of the idea and world’s first printed notes took place in Sweden in 1961. Since then, it has been a memorable journey for printed notes. Later on many governments kept introducing new things in printed notes.

First Females-

Sirivamo Bandaranaike became world’s first female prime minister in 1960. She was elected in tiny island nation of Sri Lanka. Isabel Peron has the honor of being the first woman president when she was selected for the post in 1974 in the Latin American country Argentina. Saudi Arabia and Monaco has the dubious distinction of not having any female members in the sub-ministerial positions of national government whereas Scandinavian country Sweden was the first ever country of having more female ministers than men in 1999. The number was of 11 female ministers to the 9 men ministers.

Talking about females, Marie Curie was the first female to receive Nobel Prize in 1903. She got it for her amazing contribution on subject of radiation phenomenon in Physics. She also won Nobel award in chemistry in the year 1911. She got the award for her great work in discovery of polonium and radium elements. She managed to achieve the distinction after much effort and hard work. In a way, she initiated the trend of women getting the world’s most prestigious award. Since then, quite a good number of females have won the prestigious award. The concept of Nobel Prize was founded by Alfred Nobel. One interesting fact is, Nobel Prize for peace was started much later but the idea of it was given by a female named Bertha Von Suttner. Women have won awards in all the categories except economics. But that exception won’t remain for long.

Origin of Tennis

Lawn tennis is one of the most popular as well as glamorous sports in world. It is also renowned as a rich sport because of astronomical prize sums. The origin of tennis is still not ascertained because of conflicting theories. There are different versions about its origin. Some say, it came from ancient ball games played in Egypt. Some other find it originating from Greeks and Romans. Harpastum was an ncient roman game which was later adopted in the basque country and renamed as ‘jeu do paume’. The new name took place because of the nature of the game in which ball was being used to hit by hands on a wall. Then in France it was named as ‘paume’ but the rules and format had changed. The racket was invented by Italians in fourteenth century. Soon, introduction of rubber ball took place and game again changed and played as it is being played today.

Like lawn tennis, the origin of table tennis is also not sure. However, one thing is sure and that is its young age compared to its illustrious peer. The first trace of table tennis can be found in early 1880s when British officers in India and other parts of the Asia used to play this game differently. The game was called indoor tennis and lids from cigar boxes and rounded corks from wine bottles were used as paddles and balls. In Britain, the same game was initially called as gossima and whiff whaff during 1890s. Parker brothers were the first to manufacture complete indoor tennis kit that included portable net, paddles and balls. James Gibb introduced new balls in the game and named it ping pong.

Origin of Badminton

Games are a very crucial part of our lives. Hardly any person can be found with no interest in any sports. However the choice of game differs from person to person and also from region to region. Indian people are mostly into cricket whereas in USA, golf, baseball is more popular. Similarly in Eastern Europe, gymnastics and athleticism is more popular whereas in south East Asian nations, badminton rules the roost. Games are wonderful medium to have fun and use as recreation. For many it is their profession and source of livelihood. The coming articles will focus on evolution of few of these sports and how they got transformed in their current day form with addition of rules and point system.

Badminton is a very popular sport in many parts of the world especially, Asia and Europe. India is also an upcoming nation in the arena and credited to provide champion players like Prakash Padukone, P.Gopichand and currently Saina Nehwal. The origin of this game is credited to medieval Britain. There was a popular kid’s game known as shuttlecocks or battledores and badminton is considered as a descendant of that sport. India also had a major role to play in development of current day badminton. As the story goes, British army officers in Pune, Maharashtra, forever changed the way badminton is played by adding a net in 19th century. They also started to play it competitively. Interestingly, this game was initially known as Poona because of obvious reasons. Later on some of those officers returned back to England and introduced the same format there. Since then, the game has never looked back. The organized stricture of this game in India took place in 1920s.

Interesting Facts

Bahrain is one of the rarest countries whose National Anthem has only music but no words
Fox theatre,Detroit, (USA) is the largest cinema in the world.
Saudi Arabia does not have any Cinema theatres
Sears Tower,Chicago is the world's tallest office building
Persepolis was the capital of ancient Persian Empire
Paraguay got its independence from Spain in 1811.
Arthur Wynney invented the cross word puzzle
WHO is also known as World Health Organisation
Geneva is the headquarter of WHO
FAO refers to Food and Agriculture Organisation
FAO is located at Rome and London
Montreal in Canada houses International Civil Aviation Organisation
The Angel Falls is located in Venezuela (Latin America)
Thirteen is often regarded as unlucky number but in Italy it is considered as the lucky number
Alurophobia refers to fear of cats and one of the most famous historical personalities suffering from this phobia was Napoleon
Italians(14 Oct.1911) were the first country to use aeroplanes in war. Since then, it has acquired the status of most useful and deadly weapon.
Abraham Lincoln is credited to abolish the curse of slavery in America
Manchester is also known as textile capital of the world.
USA has more than 10,000 golf courses.
Louvre museum,Paris is the proud museum where historical painting `Mona Lisa' is displayed
Tomato was also known as Love apple
King Khalid Int.Airport, Saudi Arabia is the largest airport in the world.
Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was bestowed with the title of Desert Fox.
Bascilica of St.Peter,Vatican City,Rome is the largest church in the world

Seven Wonders of the World

Seven Wonders of the World was decided by millions of people across the globe. Internet was the medium through which people voted the list of their top seven preferences as wonders of the world. The list is actually the New Seven Wonders of The World. The earlier list was totally modified in the new list. An astonishing number of more than 100 million people voted in this poll. This is also considered as the first ever global poll.

7 July 2007 was the date when list of final wonders was announced. The announcement took place in Lisbon (Portugal). Interestingly, the original seven wonders were continued in their respective positions for more than 2000 years ago. Many people also why the number is limited to seven? The answer is because an average person can remember at most seven things at one time.

From Indian point of view, finding The Taj Mahal in the top seven lists was a great matter of joy and pride. Taj Mahal was always considered as international wonder because of its looks and design. It symbolizes love and richness of Indian culture. Finding Taj in the list is indeed, a matter of great happiness and pride for all the Indians.

The final list reads as:-
The Great Wall, China
Petra, Jordan
Christ Redeemer, Brazil
Machu Picchu, Peru
Chichén Itzá, Mexico
The Roman Colosseum, Italy
The Taj Mahal, India

General Knowledge Facts

Jim Daly Irishman coined the word ‘quiz’
Kent is the place known as the Garden of England
C.N.Tower,Toronto (Canada) is the tallest tower in the world
Manhattan in USA is one famous island located at the mouth of the Hudson River
Leo Hendrik Bakeland founded the hugely important plastic industry
Israel is the only country that has made military service compulsory for women.
Japan is very famous for its fish catch
Farmosa is also known as modern day Taiwan
Montreal is situated on the bank of river Ottawa
Brutus killed the famous king Julius Caesar
Germany is one of the largest beers producing country.
Revival refers to Renaissance
Hudson Bay,Canada is the largest bay in the world.
Arabia is the largest peninsula in the world.
UNIDO is United Nations Industrial Development Organisation
UNIDO is situated at Vienna in Austria
WMO is World Meteorological Organisation
Geneva is the headquarter of WMO
Gulf of Mexico is the largest gulf in the world.
Motherland,Volgagra d Russia is the tallest statue in the world
Oshimzu Tunnel,Japan is the largest railway tunnel in the world
Tristan da cunda is the world's loneliest island.
Rhodesia is the place where famous Victoria Falls is located
Gerald Tisyum was the name of the person who discovered Ice Cream
Trick was the original meaning of `Quiz'
Oxford Street is the busiest shopping centre of London.
Buckingham Palace is also known as the residence of the Queen in London.
Austria was the country where notorious Adolf Hitler was born.