Thomas Edison’s test for job applicants was leaked in 1921. Gizmodo has all 146 questions, with answers supplied.
“Edison was said to have created the test because he was frustrated with college-educated applicants looking for work who didn’t have the proper knowledge.”
Sample questions:
14. Who was Bessemer and what did he do?
33. What is the highest rise of tide on the North American Coast?
34. Who invented logarithms?
51. Who invented the modern paper-making machine?
56. What is a caisson?
57. What is shellac?
71. What is the speed of sound?
72. What is the speed of light?
93. What is the weight of air in a room 20 by 30 by 10?
142. Of what are violin strings made?