The Spark 80s Tech Quiz

1. In June 1980, North America was introduced to the world's first low-cost portable cassette player. Originally called the "Soundabout" this was quickly changed to what famous brand name?

The Walkman

The Pressman

The Freestyle

The Stowaway

In June 1980, North America was introduced to the world's first low-cost portable cassette player. Originally called the "Soundabout," this device quickly became known as The Walkman.

Explanation

In June 1980, North America was introduced to the world's first low-cost portable cassette player. Originally called the "Soundabout," this device quickly became known as The Walkman.

2. In what video game did the character Mario (later of Super Mario Brothers fame) first appear in?

Frogger

Q*bert

Space Invaders

Donkey Kong

Mario first appeared in the video game Donkey Kong. In this game, Mario was originally known as "Jumpman" and his objective was to rescue his girlfriend, Pauline, from the giant ape Donkey Kong. The game was a huge success and marked the beginning of Mario's iconic journey in the world of video games.

Explanation

Mario first appeared in the video game Donkey Kong. In this game, Mario was originally known as "Jumpman" and his objective was to rescue his girlfriend, Pauline, from the giant ape Donkey Kong. The game was a huge success and marked the beginning of Mario's iconic journey in the world of video games.

3. The videotape format war raged on for about 10 years until the mid-80s, when finally the VHS (originated by JVC) emerged victorious and became the standard in the home video market. What was its main competitor in the war?

Phillips' Discovision

Sony's U-Matic

Sony's Betamax

Sanyo's V-Cord

Sony's Betamax was the main competitor in the videotape format war. The question mentions that the war lasted for about 10 years until the mid-80s, indicating a long battle between different formats. Among the options given, Betamax was a popular format developed by Sony that directly competed with JVC's VHS. The mention of Betamax as a competitor aligns with the historical context of the format war and the eventual victory of VHS.

Explanation

Sony's Betamax was the main competitor in the videotape format war. The question mentions that the war lasted for about 10 years until the mid-80s, indicating a long battle between different formats. Among the options given, Betamax was a popular format developed by Sony that directly competed with JVC's VHS. The mention of Betamax as a competitor aligns with the historical context of the format war and the eventual victory of VHS.

4. MS-DOS was introduced in 1981. What is MS-DOS short for?

Microsoft Data Open System

Microsoft Disk Operating System

Massive Data Open Source

Massive Desk Operating Source

MS-DOS is short for Microsoft Disk Operating System. It was introduced in 1981. MS-DOS was a command-line operating system developed by Microsoft for IBM-compatible personal computers. It provided a basic set of commands and allowed users to interact with the computer through a text-based interface. MS-DOS was widely used during the 1980s and early 1990s before being replaced by Windows operating systems.

Explanation

MS-DOS is short for Microsoft Disk Operating System. It was introduced in 1981. MS-DOS was a command-line operating system developed by Microsoft for IBM-compatible personal computers. It provided a basic set of commands and allowed users to interact with the computer through a text-based interface. MS-DOS was widely used during the 1980s and early 1990s before being replaced by Windows operating systems.

5. Who was Teddy Ruxpin?

A dancing Pepsi can

A talking toy bear

The voice of KITT

The leader of the A-Team

Teddy Ruxpin was a popular children's toy in the 1980s. It was a talking toy bear that could move its mouth and eyes while telling stories or singing songs. It became well-known for its interactive capabilities and was a favorite among children during that time.

Explanation

Teddy Ruxpin was a popular children's toy in the 1980s. It was a talking toy bear that could move its mouth and eyes while telling stories or singing songs. It became well-known for its interactive capabilities and was a favorite among children during that time.

6. What was the line of computers made by Tandy & Radio Shack in the early 80s, with the derogatory name the "Trash 80"?

The TDP-100

The TRS-80

The Apple II

The Atari 800

The correct answer is the TRS-80. The TRS-80 was a line of computers made by Tandy & Radio Shack in the early 80s. It was nicknamed the "Trash 80" as a derogatory term, but it became popular and successful in the personal computer market. The TRS-80 was one of the early pioneers in the home computer industry.

Explanation

The correct answer is the TRS-80. The TRS-80 was a line of computers made by Tandy & Radio Shack in the early 80s. It was nicknamed the "Trash 80" as a derogatory term, but it became popular and successful in the personal computer market. The TRS-80 was one of the early pioneers in the home computer industry.

7. In 1986, which company released the first disposable camera?

Fuji

Canon

Nikon

Minolta

Fuji released the first disposable camera in 1986.

Explanation

Fuji released the first disposable camera in 1986.

8. In 1980, Atari became the first company to register a copyright for computer games. What two awesome games were the first to be registered?

Pole Position and Centipede

Asteroids and Lunar Lander

Joust and Battlezone

Zaxxon and Space Harrier

Atari became the first company to register a copyright for computer games in 1980. The two games that were the first to be registered were Asteroids and Lunar Lander.

Explanation

Atari became the first company to register a copyright for computer games in 1980. The two games that were the first to be registered were Asteroids and Lunar Lander.

9. What was the first affordable* computer to include a Graphical User Interface? (*If to you, affordable meant $2,495 in 1984!)

The Apple Macintosh

The VIC-20

The ZX Spectrum+

The Commodore 64

The Apple Macintosh was the first affordable computer to include a Graphical User Interface. It was released in 1984 and had a price of $2,495, which was considered affordable at that time. The Macintosh revolutionized the computer industry with its user-friendly interface and graphical elements, making it accessible to a wider range of users.

Explanation

The Apple Macintosh was the first affordable computer to include a Graphical User Interface. It was released in 1984 and had a price of $2,495, which was considered affordable at that time. The Macintosh revolutionized the computer industry with its user-friendly interface and graphical elements, making it accessible to a wider range of users.

10. What is the title of the first video game to contain an easter egg hidden by a developer?

Defender

Yars' Revenge

Adventure

Super Breakout

Adventure is the correct answer because it was the first video game to contain an Easter egg hidden by a developer. The Easter egg was a secret room that the developer, Warren Robinett, added to the game without the knowledge of his superiors. This hidden feature was groundbreaking at the time and paved the way for future Easter eggs in video games.

Explanation

Adventure is the correct answer because it was the first video game to contain an Easter egg hidden by a developer. The Easter egg was a secret room that the developer, Warren Robinett, added to the game without the knowledge of his superiors. This hidden feature was groundbreaking at the time and paved the way for future Easter eggs in video games.