Dome sweet dome

Q: I have long known the name R. Buckminster Fuller and his development of the geodesic dome. Other than that, I know nothing about him. What can you tell me? ‘ C.H., Concord, N.H.
A: Richard Buckminster ‘Bucky’ Fuller (1895-1983) was a designer, architect, poet, author and inventor. He was born in Milton, Mass. Twice expelled from Harvard, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War I. After the war, Fuller worked at several jobs, but it was his development of the geodesic dome in 1949 that won him worldwide attention. Over the years, he has garnered more than 20 U.S. patents and many honorary doctorates. The author of nearly 30 books, Fuller is an amazing individual, and time invested in reading more about him would be time well spent.
Q: As first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt made a bobsled run during one of the Winter Olympics. Was she a competitor? ‘ T.P.L., Syracuse, N.Y.
A: In 1932, Eleanor Roosevelt was the future first lady of the United States; she was, however, the reigning first lady of New York, and the Winter Olympics were being held in Lake Placid, N.Y., that year. She merely took a ride down the bobsled course ‘ as you can today if you visit the area during the winter months.
Q: There are shots of the Cannonball, a steam-driven locomotive, on the TV show ‘Petticoat Junction.’ Where is the train today? ‘ K.L.L., Duluth, Minn.
A: The Cannonball (built in 1891) is the No. 3 at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park located in Jamestown, Calif. According to those at the park, Railtown’s locomotives and cars have appeared in more than 200 films and TV productions.
Q: On the TV variety show ‘Hee Haw,’ what was the name of the bloodhound? ‘ M.B., Lynchburg, Va.
A: Beauregard Jr.
Q: When was the phrase ‘blonde bombshell’ first used to describe a glamorous blonde? ‘ V.H., Columbus, Ga.
A: The term ‘blonde bombshell’ first described Jean Harlow, based on her 1933 film ‘Bombshell.’
Q: I think ‘Citizen Kane’ is one of the greatest movies ever filmed. How old was star Orson Welles at the time? ‘ L.F., Daytona Beach, Fla.
A: Not only did the 25-year-old Orson Welles (1915-1985) star in the film, he also co-wrote, produced and directed the 1941 classic.
Q: I’ve been a car buff for many years. I have a question that has stumped me for a long time; maybe you can help. What person has had two cars named after them? ‘ E.G., Jackson Miss.
A: Ransom E. Olds (1864-1950). The Oldsmobile and the Reo were named after him. Of course, the Reo (using the manufacturer’s initials) is long out of production.
Q: Where is Blackpool in Ireland? I know there is one in England, but I can’t locate the Irish namesake. ‘ R.G., Tulsa, Okla.
A: Blackpool is a suburb of Cork city in County Cork. Also, in Gaelic, the word Dublin means Blackpool. The city got its name for the dark-colored waters of the River Liffey that flows through its center.
Q: Was there really a Sara Lee associated with the company of the same name? ‘ P.K., Minneapolis, Minn.
A: Sara Lee was the name of Charles Lubin’s daughter. A Chicago bakery owner, Lubin named a cheesecake after her in 1949. Two years later, he renamed his company after his daughter, but he called it the Kitchens of Sara Lee.
Q: I have a Jack Russell terrier. How did it ever get such a name? ‘ G.R., Casper, Wyo.
A: An avid hunter and outdoorsman, the Rev. John Russell (1795-1883), an English minister, bred the first ‘Jack.’
Q: Which state boasts of having more antelope than people? ‘ M.H., Galveston, Texas
A: I have no idea whether Wyoming boasts of having more pronghorn antelope than people, but those who count both say that’s the way it is.

(Send your questions to Mr. Know-It-All at [email protected] or c/o United Feature Syndicate, 200 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016)