General Awareness ยท History

Historical Dates and Firsts

2,518 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

Machine gun was invented in the year

  1. 1718

  2. 1720

  3. 1725

  4. 1730
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

James Puckle patented the first machine gun, known as the Puckle gun, in 1718. It was a tripod-mounted, single-barreled flintlock weapon.

Multiple choice

Safety pin was invented in the year

  1. 1860

  2. 1840

  3. 1849

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

Walter Hunt invented the modern safety pin in 1849. He famously created it in a few hours to pay off a debt.

Multiple choice

Refrigerator was invented in the year

  1. 1887

  2. 1850

  3. 1840

  4. 1857
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

John Gorrie built a machine in 1850 that created ice to cool the air for his patients. This is considered a foundational step for modern refrigeration.

Multiple choice

Ship (steam) was invented in the year

  1. 1770

  2. 1775

  3. 1780

  4. 1786
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Jacques Perier successfully demonstrated a steam-powered boat on the Seine in 1775. This is often cited as a milestone in steam navigation.

Multiple choice

Skyscraper was invented in the year

  1. 1880

  2. 1889

  3. 1876

  4. 1882
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Home Insurance Building in Chicago, completed in 1884, is often cited as the first skyscraper. However, 1882 is sometimes referenced regarding the design or structural planning.

Multiple choice

Slide rule was invented in the year

  1. 1620

  2. 1621

  3. 1630

  4. 1640
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

William Oughtred is credited with inventing the slide rule in 1621. It was based on the logarithmic scales developed by John Napier.

Multiple choice

Steel production was invented in the year

  1. 1855

  2. 1850

  3. 1889

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

Henry Bessemer patented the Bessemer process in 1855, which was the first inexpensive industrial process for the mass production of steel from molten pig iron.