Short Answers to Simple Questions | August 05, 2020

by AutoModerator

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Please Be Aware: We expect everyone to read the rules and guidelines of this thread. Mods will remove questions which we deem to be too involved for the theme in place here. We will remove answers which don't include a source. These removals will be without notice. Please follow the rules.

Some questions people have just don't require depth. This thread is a recurring feature intended to provide a space for those simple, straight forward questions that are otherwise unsuited for the format of the subreddit.

Here are the ground rules:

  • Top Level Posts should be questions in their own right.

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  • Questions which ask about broader concepts may be removed at the discretion of the Mod Team and redirected to post as a standalone question.

  • We realize that in some cases, users may pose questions that they don't realize are more complicated than they think. In these cases, we will suggest reposting as a stand-alone question.

  • Answers MUST be properly sourced to respectable literature. Unlike regular questions in the sub where sources are only required upon request, the lack of a source will result in removal of the answer.

  • Academic secondary sources are prefered. Tertiary sources are acceptable if they are of academic rigor (such as a book from the 'Oxford Companion' series, or a reference work from an academic press).

  • The only rule being relaxed here is with regard to depth, insofar as the anticipated questions are ones which do not require it. All other rules of the subreddit are in force.

Garfield-1-23-23

The British Centurion tank in WWII was the first to have a built-in electric tea kettle, located in the turret (this was sensibly so that the crew wouldn't climb out of the tank to make tea and get shot). Does anyone know where exactly in the turret this kettle was located? Is there a diagram of the tank's layout somewhere that includes it?

tardisindanorf

Before modern uniform, were there risks of not recognising who your allies and foes were in a battle? Like how did one tell if another random footsoldier is fighting on your side or the other? Were there lots of friendly fire and were just accepted as part of the casualties?

gavriloe

Has there, broadly speaking, been a movement away from 'comprehensive' historical narratives (i.e. long books that seek to explain an historical event in it's entirety) and towards more limited case studies and examinations of more limited historical phenomenon?

In other words, has the postmodernist deconstruction of knowledge resulted in fewer serious academic historians trying to write opus magnum (magni?) and instead just writing narrower and more specific texts on more focused topics?

wordbender14

Victorian era England: Were there any non-titled maids that would have had duties in the royal chambers? (All the info I've found indicates staff of the royal household were nobles, but I have a hard time believing nobles were turning mattresses and emptying chamber pots.)

brieezy

I'm not sure where best to ask this, but it definitely does not warrant a full thread of its own. I recently started listening to medieval music, and I really like it! Are there any famous works or artists of the era that I should know, or any modern interpretations available online that standout? Bonus points if they are by women.

lordwafflesbane

Were there ever actual castles with big siege weapons built into the defenses?

You see it all the time in fantasy settings, sort of an extension of modern anti-aircraft emplacements, but used to shoot down dragons or what have you.

But in actual history, they don't have any dragons to shoot at, so would they even bother?

frightenedFan

When did autograph signing first become a common concept, what made people ask for signatures of famous people?

runnriver

Pierre de Fermat

In 1630, he bought the office of a councilor at the Parlement de Toulouse, one of the High Courts of Judicature in France, and was sworn in by the Grand Chambre in May 1631. He held this office for the rest of his life.

Besides his work on mathematics, did Fermat have an impact on history?

distortedtheory

Both Thomas Jefferson and the USSR viewed the French Revolution positively. Do we know anything about how the USSR felt about Jefferson or the other founding fathers?

tommothekiiiddcuzzz

I got a question.Did King Ælfred change england in a big way.Or did Edward do more of the work?

Dicknition

During this pandemic we have seen people have “Corona Parties” actively trying to get sick. The expression, “avoid it like the plague” seems sort of obvious, but did people actively try to catch the plague?

Stromboli16

How much representation was there of Jews in public office in Germany in 1933? I mean in positions of great power, such as mayors and seats in the Reichstag.

Valyntine_

What's the name of the type of artstyle used on really old paintings/tins/signs/advertisements from the ~1800-1900's?

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1f/16/0d/1f160db60625da3bbf20797dda577f19.jpg Stuff like this. I don't have have anymore example on hand, sadly, but it's the really crisp, high detailed art such as in the one I linked before.

eduardo

Do anyone of you happen to have the volume 3 of "Los Conversos y la Inquisición Sevillana" (ISBN 8489777942)?

I can't find that book in my country and I would like to know what a specific page says :D

[deleted]

In WWII fighter aircraft, was the optical axis of the reflector gunsight exactly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the airplane, or was it angled upwards slightly?

The context for my question is that I've been playing a lot of combat flight sims, in some planes I have difficulty with deflection shooting because the nose obstructs my view at high deflection. This seems like something that could have been compensated for by angling the sight upward 1-2 degrees and zeroing the guns accordingly. But I don't know if that's a thing that was actually done or documented, or if it would even be feasible given the adjustment limits of the guns.

deepsoulfunk

Has anyone ever actually laughed all the way to the bank or is that just something people say? I’d imagine it’s easier now because it would be slower with a horse and carriage, but it seems like an old expression that might pre-date the automobile.

BlindProphet_413

What happened to the Union soldiers captured at the Battle of High Bridge on April 6, when Lee's forces were retreating and he ended up surrendering three days later? Could the Confederates really handle prisoners in any capacity?

Rustain

regarding 18th century British navy, what is the difference between a ship's Captain and its Master?

Karkuz19

Was there really a Syrian deity named ichthys?

Why I'm asking: http://imgur.com/a/dTOd4VH

If not, is there any truth to the ichthys entry?

naprea

At what point in time was Germany at it's strongest during WW2? After defeating Poland? France?

ShadicHD

What is the difference between Clarent and Caliburn from the Arthurian legend?

itrhymeswithsneak2

Today we have a wide array of specialists who deal with all manner of animal pests, wasps, termites, bears and other dangerous or nuscance creatures.

How would medieval or ancient people deal with these problems. Was it dealt with by a congregation of a local community or via a request for help from a local aristocrat/authority? Were there specific exterminators?

-Guardsman-

Are the casualties of the Second Sino-Japanese War usually included among the casualties of WW2?

bartm41

My question regards Herodotus.

I am curious about how his works survived, if we have originals or not. I was reading on the Greco-Persian wars and see he is a primary source regarding the conflict and I wonder how his works survived through the ages.

Thanks!

chris480

Vietnam: Is there a list of POW camps setup by the north for south Vietnamese soldiers after the fall of Saigon?

Brother_Judas

Can any Ukrainian/Russian/Belarusian/East Slavic history expert help me name the principalities from this map?

So this is the map in question

I'm wondering if you can help me name these numbered principalities.

Thanks in advance!

Darth_Swole

When did the Marines stop using this roundel? Were there any more drafts or versions? When the all US Military branches agree on one?

SecondGear_

In medieval warfare (time of knights) what is the code of conduct in the battlefield? is it have to be one vs one? or can you just gang up on a single combatant? and can you just kill a higher ranking knight?

corruptrevolutionary

What's the origins of the Royal epithets of "His/Her/Your Majesty" and "Your Highness/ Royal Highness"

isaiahjc

Why wasn’t Lou Fleischer the director of music for Gulliver’s Travels? He was the music director for every other project out of Fleischer Studios, but their first feature length film doesn’t seem to have involved him at all.

[deleted]

Many authors have written about life being better before the dawn of agriculture and civilization. If this is true, why did billions of people continue to stay away and not return to said lifestyle?

One-Time-Dream

What was the original linguistic term for title Scourge of God as used for Mongol Genghis Khan and Attila the Hun?

agreeingstorm9

I have a dumb question. Been watching a YT channel of a chick who explores old ruins. Stumbled across a 7 part series she did where she follows the Donner Part route. Along the way she stops at various historical markers and talks about them while showing the different places along the way the party stopped. It's fascinating.

Can anyone recommend any other channels that do the same thing?

mizay7

I am looking for a readable history to learn more about Indian independence. Ideally something concise but im not finding anything. the best choices i found are:

Freedom At Midnight

From Plassey To Partition

and India: A history by john keay

All of these are rather chunky tomes and im also not sure how to pick between them. Also, something with a kindle version strongly preferred.

Thank you.

MizunoGolfer15-20
DementoHazard

This is driving me crazy, because I know I have seen this picture before and read up on this woman, but now, I cannot for the life of me can figure out who this is.

In the movie Blazing Saddles, over 'Lili's' left shoulder. At first I thought she was Molly Brown. But, I now don't think it is her, and I know I am stuck on who she is? It's stressing me out that I can't figure it out, and can't rest until I get some help.

I did get answers on another subreddit, but doing research, most comments were trolls, or the wrong historic figure. I've gone through Titanic passengers, to female killers like Lizzie. I'm at an impasse and need help.

Screenshot