Answers to The Strategist biz quiz

1) Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard came up with an audio oscillator in 1938 that generated sound frequencies and could be used to test sound quality. Among its first customers was Walt Disney productions, which ordered eight of these devices for its animated feature film Fantasia. Each oscillator was sold at $ 54.40. Why 54.40?
HP had no idea how to price their product -- so they chose the campaign slogan for setting the US border in the Pacific NorthWest which went "fifty-four forty or fight". The numbers stand for 54 degree north latitude and 40 minutes longitude.

2) Which popular character was inspired by a gluttonous Japanese folk hero called Paku and the sight of a partly-eaten pizza?
Pacman

3) In 1962 when the producers of the show The Flintstones decided that Fred and Wilma were to have a child they initially decided on a boy. Later however a girl, Pebbles, was chosen. Why?
With a girl, there were possibilities of major merchandising as a doll, which they subsequently did

4) This company was called Lutsuko and later changed its name to something that literally means 'to lose money'. Which one?
Sony, it's name was a tongue twister to many and had to be ultimately changed

5) With which unrelated business was Finnish giant Nokia associated?
Tyre manufacture

6) Which is the world's largest selling motorcycle brand?
Hero Honda Splendor

7) There is a banner outside the Small Causes Court in Mumbai, which states that a famous personality fought his first case here. Who does it refer to?
Mahatma Gandhi, who argues an abandoned wife's case for maintenance from her husband. He lost

8) Which multinational company was started with money its founder won at poker?
Microsoft

9) What commonly-used product was patented by Stephen Perry in 1845?
The rubber band

10) In medieval Russia, before coinage was introduced, what was used as currency?
Fur. Worn-out furs were marked by authorised clerks, and measured as fractions of the silver grivna (rubl), the basic unit of money

And the winner is Sanjit Dutta from Shakti-nagar, UP

Congratulations! A cheque for Rs 2,000 is on its way in the mail

There were 6 all-correct entries.

The others were sent by:
Ajeet Kumar Choudhary, New Delhi
Kartikeya Mitra, Hyderabad
Radhakrishnan Nair, Mangalore
Mehernosh N Choksi, Mumbai
M Balachandra, Mumbai

The Strategist would like to thank all those who participated. Please look out for the contest next week. Business Standard employees, and previous quiz winners and their families are requested not to participate