General Awareness · History

Historical Dates and Firsts

2,390 Questions

Historical dates and firsts questions test your memory of significant global milestones in sports, science, technology, and literature. These factual questions appear regularly in SSC, banking, and state PSC general awareness papers. Use these questions to quickly memorize important historical events and their exact years.

Inventions and launchesSports world firstsHistorical prize awardsTechnology milestones

Historical Dates and Firsts Questions

Multiple choice

Motorcycle was invented in the year

  1. 1880

  2. 1885

  3. 1890

  4. 1870
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach built the first gasoline-powered motorcycle, the Reitwagen, in 1885.

Multiple choice

Aeroplane was invented in the year

  1. 1956

  2. 1905

  3. 1910

  4. 1903
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Wright brothers achieved the first powered, controlled, and sustained flight of a heavier-than-air aircraft in 1903.

Multiple choice

Adding machine was invented in the year

  1. 1623

  2. 1657

  3. 1620

  4. 1631
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Wilhelm Schickard is credited with inventing the first mechanical adding machine, known as the Calculating Clock, in 1623.

Multiple choice

Bakelite was invented in the year

  1. 1906

  2. 1907

  3. 1981

  4. 1971
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite, the first plastic made from synthetic components, in 1907.

Multiple choice

Bunsen burner was invented in the year

  1. 1855

  2. 1840

  3. 1850

  4. 1876
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Robert Bunsen is credited with the development of the Bunsen burner in 1855, improving upon earlier designs.

Multiple choice

Ballpoint pen was invented in the year

  1. 1880

  2. 1889

  3. 1888

  4. 1887
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

John J. Loud received the first patent for a ballpoint pen in 1888, although it was not commercially successful until later.

Multiple choice

Car (Petrol) was invented in the year

  1. 1888

  2. 1880

  3. 1887

  4. 1884
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Karl Benz is widely credited with inventing the first modern automobile powered by an internal combustion engine in 1886, with 1888 marking significant milestones in its development.

Multiple choice

Cinema was invented in the year

  1. 1890

  2. 1889

  3. 1895

  4. 1887
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Lumiere brothers held their first public commercial film screening in 1895, marking the birth of cinema.

Multiple choice

Diesel engine was invented in the year

  1. 1895

  2. 1890

  3. 1889

  4. 1867
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Rudolf Diesel received a patent for his design of the compression-ignition engine in 1892, and the first successful engine was built in 1895.

Multiple choice

Dynamo was invented in the year

  1. 1840

  2. 1830

  3. 1832

  4. 1856
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Hippolyte Pixii built the first dynamo in 1832, based on the principles of electromagnetic induction discovered by Michael Faraday. This device converted mechanical rotation into electrical current.

Multiple choice

Electric motor (DC) was invented in the year

  1. 1873

  2. 1870

  3. 1889

  4. 1880
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Zénobe Gramme developed the first commercially successful DC motor in 1873. His invention demonstrated that a dynamo could also function as a motor when supplied with electricity.

Multiple choice

Electric lamp was invented in the year

  1. 1870

  2. 1880

  3. 1878

  4. 1879
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Thomas Edison is widely credited with the invention of the first commercially practical incandescent light bulb in 1879. This invention revolutionized lighting and daily life.

Multiple choice

Electric motor (AC) was invented in the year

  1. 1880

  2. 1889

  3. 1886

  4. 1888
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Nikola Tesla invented the induction motor, which operates on alternating current (AC), in 1888. This invention was crucial for the widespread adoption of AC power systems.