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From the Conta Costa Times on Monday, March 24, 2008.(S583c)...
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From the Conta Costa Times on Monday, March 31, 2008.(S584c)...
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From the Conta Costa Times on Monday, April 14, 2008.(S587c)

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From the Conta Costa Times on Monday, May 5, 2008.(S590c)

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From the Conta Costa Times on Monday, May 19, 2008.(S592c)

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From the Conta Costa Times on Monday, June 16, 2008.(S595c)
 

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From the Philadelphia Inquirer on Monday, January 22, 2008.(S596)

Last Week's Trivia Answer: My founder launched me as a baby-furniture store in Washington in 1948. He soon realized that customers were also looking for toys. Today, I am a leading toy and baby-product retailer, with more than 1,500 stores worldwide. My baby-focused specialty chain is the largest in the world. I was a publicly traded company from 1978 to 2005, when I was bought out by private investors for $6.6 billion. This fall, I opened a temporary store in Manhattan to serve holiday shoppers there. I am based in New Jersey, and my mascot is the world's tallest mammal. Who am I? The answer backwards: Cni Su R Syot . . From the Tulsaworld on Monday, May 19, 2008.(S598b) Last Week’s Trivia Answer In 1894, my founder accidentally created a wheat flake. In 1906, he began selling toasted flakes made of corn in Battle Creek, Mich. In 1916, I launched an all-bran cereal, and in 1928 I gave the world a little snap, crackle and pop. My rooster, named Cornelius, debuted in 1953, followed by a feline named Tony in 1958. I rake in nearly $12 billion annually. My brand names include Pop-Tarts, Froot Loops, Eggo, Cheez-It, Gardenburger, Nutri-Grain, Smart Start, Kashi and Morningstar Farms. In 2001, I bought a company whose elves live in a tree and make cookies and crackers. Who am I? The answer backwards: Ggollek

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Last Week's Trivia Answer: I trace my roots back to Iowa in 1893. The wooden-tub washing machine I introduced in 1907 proved so popular that I abandoned farming products to focus on it. Today I’m America’s third-largest home appliance maker. I rake in some $4.7 billion annually in sales and am one of “America’s Most Admired” companies. My washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators and ranges carry my own name, as well as the Jenn-Air, Amana, Magic Chef and Jade names. I also own the Hoover floor care brand and Dixie-Narco, a leader in refrigerated soft drink and specialty vending machines. Who am I? The answer backwards: Gatyam

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Born in 1995, today I'm "The World's Online Marketplace."  In fiscal 2007 I sported nearly $60 billion in gross merchandise sales and welcomed tens of millions of shoppers.  My online payment subsidiary PayPal generates nearly $2 billion yearly.  My other units include Internet communications company Skype, the price-comparison site Shopping.com, online classified specialist Kijiji.com, and the apartment-listing service Rent.com.  I've sold more than 3 million cars.  (I sell a pair of shoes and a cell phone every seven seconds.) Who am I? The answer backwards: Yabe

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Born in 1927 and based in Dallas, I pioneered the convenience store concept when I started selling groceries at an ice store.  In 1946 I extended my hours and changed my stores' name to reflect them.  I boast about 34,000 stores in 14 nations and ring up more than $45 billion annually.  Customers often take a big bite or big gulp of my products, or just slurp them.  I sell 60 million doughnuts or pastries yearly, and a million cups of coffee a day.  I have the largest ATM network of any U.S. retailer. I'm open on Christmas.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Neveleneves

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Born in 1897 and headquartered in Michigan, I'm a diversified chemical company with annual revenue of $54 billion and 46,000 employees around the world.  You'll find me busy in water, shoes, food, phar- maceuticals, paints, packaging and personal care products, among other areas.  My early offerings include bleach, and I introduced Saran Wrap in 1957 amd a one-shot measles vaccine in 1965.  I was testing Ziploc bags in the 1970s, and in the mid-1980s I introduced super-absorbent DRYTECH polymers, used in disposable diapers.  I also make Styrofoam and Great Stuff foam sealant.  Look for my red diamond.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Lacimehcwod

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Incorporated in 1977, I've been through tough times and good times.  Customers tend to fall in love with my products.  At my core is innovation and good design.  Peel off my plastic outer layers and you'll find portable digital music players, down- loadable music, cell phones, personal computers, laptops and more.  My operating system marks the spot.  "i" have sold tens of millions of my key products.  I've sold more than 5 billion songs online.  My annual revenues top $24 billion.  My name stems from my co-founder's time on a farm in the Northwest.  Who am I? The answer backwards: elppa

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Josephine Ester Mentzer founded me in 1946 in New York City, selling her uncle's skin creams in beauty shops and beach clubs.  My success was built on her high standards.  I sell my products in more than 140 countries under brand names such as Aramis, Clinique, Prescriptives, Lab Series, Origins, M-A-C, Bobbi Brown, Tommy Hilfiger, Kiton, La Mer, Donna Karan, Aveda, Jo Malone, Bumble and Bumble, Darphin, Michael Kors, American Beauty, Flirt!, Grassroots, Sean John, Missoni, Daisy Fuentes, Tom Ford, Mustang, Coach, Ojon and Eyes by Design.  I rake in nearly $8 billion per year.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Redualeetse

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Founded in 1912, I'm based in Maine, where more than 400 of my (often outdoorsy) products are manufactured.  I rake in about $1.5 billion each year and process some 50,000 orders per day, shipping more than 15 million packages annually.  (I've shipped more than 200,000 on a single day.)  I'm known for my catalogs, but I've been opening stores around the country lately, some internationally.  My flagship store is open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, and draws 3 million people yearly.  You can't buy stock in me, because I'm a private company.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Naebll

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Founded in 1982 and based in San Jose, I'm a top global software company, raking in $3 billion annually and employing some 7,300 employees worldwide.  I have something in common with sun-dried, unburned bricks of clay and straw.  One of my products evokes gymnastics, while another is another term for low-energy nuclear reactors, and a third is a hit song by Gary Wright.  More than 500 million devices equipped with my flash technology have been sold.  Many of my offerings focus on print and Web publishing, as well as digital imaging. I went public in 1986.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Eboda

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I was born 15 years ago as a printed financial newsletter sold by two brothers to friends and relatives. A year later I debuted online and became quite popular. I'm on a mission to improve people's lives, offering superior investment ideas. I produce or have produced scores of online articles weekly, along with video commentaries, a radio show, a weekly newspaper feature, more than a dozen published books and several investing newsletters. My discussion boards are vast and busy, and my CAPS service at tulsaworld.com/capsquotes rates thousands of stocks for free. I throw parties on April 1.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Loofyeltomeht

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I'm a top global brand, having begun with a handful of beans in Seattle's Pike Place Market in 1971. In 1991 I became the first privately owned U.S. company to let part-time workers participate in a stock option program. I went public in 1992. You'll find my more-than-10,000 retail locations in China, Kuwait, Indonesia, Switzerland, Peru and elsewhere. I offer more than 30 blends of coffee, along with teas, other beverages, foodstuffs, music and more. Customers have loaded more than $2.5 billion onto my cards. I was a first-mate pursuer of Moby-Dick.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Skcubrats

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I'm a large media and education company, founded in 1877. Along with the flagship newspaper that bears my name, my properties include Newsweek magazine, Slate.com, BudgetTravel.com, Sprig.com, CourseAdvisor, television stations in Detroit, Houston, Miami, Orlando, San Antonio and Jacksonville, and the Cable ONE cable television system. I also own Kaplan, which helps students prepare for a variety of standardized tests, among other educational and career services. (Kaplan alone raked in more than $2 billion in 2007.) There's a popular John Philip Sousa march named after me, and Richard Nixon didn't particularly like me.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Octsopnotgnihsaweht

This isn't another "Foolish Trivia", but it is a good but easy business trivia question.   Subj:.....Trivia Bits           by Stanley Newman . Photo from the Contra Costa Times... Which of J.S.Pemberton Medicine Co's three products survived? The J.S.Pemberton Co. was formed in Atlanta circa 1885 to sell three principal products: a cough syrup, a hair dye, and Pemberton's French Wine of Cola.  Which of these three products survived and became world famous? The answer is below: The cough syrup and the hair dye are both long forgotten.  In 1886, after Atlanta's Fulton County passed prohibition legislation, Pemberton devised a nonalcoholic version of his Wine of Cola, known today as Coca-Cola.

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I was founded in 1868 on a salt dome island in Louisiana by a guy who made a sauce out of peppers from Mexico or Central America and French wine vinegar. Legend has it that he first packaged the product in used perfume bottles. In 1892, he founded a bird colony on the island to protect egrets that were being killed for their decorative feathers. He soon added plant life, and today his famed Jungle Gardens and Bird City attract visitors from all over the world. Each of my 2-ounce red bottles contains at least 720 drops.  Who am I? The answer backwards: oCynnehlIcM

Last Week's Trivia Answer: In 1886, I was founded by a man as the California Perfume Co. I'm "the company for women," with a female CEO. I offered women an income long before they were allowed to vote. In 1939 I changed my name to the home of a famous European playwright. My more than 5 million sales reps distribute hundreds of millions of catalogs and sell beauty products, fashion jewelry and apparel in more than 100 nations. I'm the largest direct seller in the world, with annual revenues topping $10 billion. My brands include Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Advance Techniques and Mark.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Nova

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Based in little Rhode Island, I'm a global toy and leisure giant. I was founded in 1923 by the Hassenfeld brothers and began by selling textiles, but soon moved on to pencil boxes and school supplies. I bought Milton Bradley in 1984 and Parker Bros. in 1991. I introduced GI Joe, the world's first "action figure," in 1964, and Mr. Potato Head in 1952. My brands today include Playskool, Tonka, Transformers, Monopoly, Cranium, Magic: The Gathering, My Little Pony, Nerf, Easy Bake Oven, FurReal Friends, Baby Alive, Trivial Pursuit, Candy Land, Life and Clue.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Orbsah

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Founded in Milwaukee in 1948, I'm a world leader in employment services, specializing in recruitment, assessment, training and more. I've got 4,500 offices worldwide and serve 400,000 employers a year. My largest market is France, followed by the United States. I helped get women employed in the 1960s with my "White Glove Girl" marketing campaign. My brands include my own name as well as Elan, Jefferson Wells and Right Management. In 2007, I placed more than 5 million people in temporary or contract jobs and raked in more than $20 billion. You might call me Personbrawn or Humanenergy or Beingforce.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Rewopnam

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I was born in Seattle in 1907 and am now headquartered in Atlanta. The world's largest package delivery company, I rake in some $50 billion per year, thanks to my 425,000 employees around the world. I deliver 15.8 million packages and documents each day, 2.3 million by air and 1.9 million internationally. I serve about 8 million customers daily, in more than 200 nations and territories, and I operate 99,500 package cars, vans, tractors and motorcycles, as well as 266 jet aircraft and 307 chartered aircraft. (I'm the ninth largest airline.) I serve more than 800 airports.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Spu

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I'm the world's largest beverage company, selling 1.5 billion servings daily. My more than 450 brands include Dasani, Minute Maid, Powerade, Odwalla, Hi-C, Schweppes and Fruitopia. My most famous television commercial featured a crowd of young people singing on an Italian hilltop. A South African comedy, "The Gods Must Be Crazy," revolved around one of my product's packaging. Born in 1886 and based in Atlanta, I rake in more than $30 billion per year. I also sport the world's largest distribution system for what may be the world's most recognized product. My spokesanimal is the polar bear.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Aloc-Acoc

Last Week's Trivia Answer: My roots go back to 1795 and a bourbon-making grain mill operator named Jacob Beam. Today I'm a leading consumer brands company, with brands that focus on home and hardware products (Moen, Master-Brand, Waterloo, Simonton, Therma-Tru and Master Lock), spirits (Jim Beam, Courvoisier, Maker's Mark, Cruzan, Canadian Club, Sauza, Laphroaig, DeKuyper, Teacher's and Harveys), and golf (Titleist, Cobra, Pinnacle and FootJoy). Some 20 percent of my sales come from products introduced in just the past three years. Based in Deerfield, Ill., I employ more than 30,000 people, and my annual sales top $8 billion.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Sdnarb Enutrof

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I'm a global leader in records management and have been storing boxes of documents for companies since 1951. My founder was once known as the "Mushroom King" in upstate New York, where he grew fungi.  I rake in about $3 billion annually from my 120,000-plus customers. I also store electronic data, computer disks and tapes, microfilm, audio and video tapes, X-rays and blueprints. I can retrieve — or destroy — whichever records you want. My disaster recovery division can back up your data and store it off-site.  You might call me Ferrous Peak.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Niatnuom Nori

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Founded by two Stanford classmates in 1939, I’m a global leader in computer printers, shipping more than a million each week, along with nearly 50 million computers each year. My first product was an audio oscillator that Walt Disney Studios used for its film “Fantasia.”  I spend $3.5 billion per year on research and development, and produce about 11 patents per day worldwide. I power more than 130 of the world’s stock exchanges.  My software runs more than 100 million cell phones. I merged with Compaq in 2000 and rake in almost $120 billion annually.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Drakcap Ttelweh

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Founded in 1889, today I’m the world leader in the making, marketing and distribution of spices, seasonings and flavors to the entire food industry. My brand names include Zatarain’s and Old Bay. My industrial division serves most of the top 100 food processors, restaurant chains, distributors and warehouse clubs, offering spices, blended seasonings, condiments, coatings and compound flavors. My name may not be on many packages, but it’s probably in your spice cabinet, and my products are in a wide range of foods. I rake in more than $3 billion yearly, and my annual report is scented.  Who am I? The answer backwards: KcimroccM

Last Week's Trivia Answer: My founder started me in 1984 when he sold pizzas out of a back room in his father's tavern. A year later, he opened his first restaurant. Today, based in Kentucky, I'm America's No. 3 pizza provider, trailing Pizza Hut and Domino's. I sport more than 3,000 restaurants worldwide, including more than 100 in the United Kingdom and China. I've been rated No. 1 in customer satisfaction among all national pizza chains and have received high marks for quality. My dough is never frozen. I went public in 1993, and my stock is up nearly fourfold since then.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Azzip Snhoj Apap

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Based in Massachusetts, I'm the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue of $10 billion, more than 30,000 employees, and more than 350,000 customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies. I supply labs with high-end analytical instruments as well as equipment, chemicals, supplies, software, services, reagents, education and more. From beakers and slides to pipettes and syringes, to mass spectrometers and centrifuges, I have it all. My stock has grown by a compound average rate of 10 percent annually over the past 20 years.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Cifitneics RehsiF Omreht

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Born in 1902 and based in Decatur, Ill., I'm one of the world's largest processors of food and operating more than 230 domestic and international plants. I convert corn, oilseeds, wheat and cocoa into products for food and animal feed, and chemical and fuel uses. I run the world's premier crop origination and transportation network, connecting crops and markets in more than 60 countries via 2,100 trailers, 2,200 barges and 23,800 railcars. I make flour, oils, sweeteners, chocolate, fiber and protein supplements and more. My annual sales top $70 billion. I feed the world.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Dnaldim Sleinad Rehcra

. . , The Amazon.com Inc. Kindle 2 electronic book reader is displayed at a February news conference. Jin Lee /Bloomberg News . .

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Born in 1995, I'm a Seattle-based Fortune 500 online retailer, boasting "Earth's Biggest Selection." My 42 product categories offer everything from books to fresh flowers to jewelry to cameras. One of my newest offerings is the Kindle electronic reader, and I recently introduced "Frustration-Free Packaging." I'm behind the scenes powering the e-commerce at the Web sites of many retailers, such as Target. And other retailers, such as Lands' End and Macy's, simply sell many items through my store. I own imdb.com, too. I get high marks for customer satisfaction and I rake in about $19 billion annually.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Moc.nozama

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I trace my history back to 1871 and a steam-powered rock drill. In the 1920s, my jackhammer drills and air compressors worked on Mount Rushmore. Today, headquartered in New Jersey, I'm a global diversified industrial firm, with businesses including Club Car golf cars, Hussmann stationary refrigeration equipment, Schlage locks, Thermo King transport temperature-control equipment, and Trane air conditioning systems and services. (I bought Trane in 2008 for $10 billion.) I've paid dividends each year since 1910. I raked in more than $13 billion in revenue in 2008. My name reflects a 1905 merger.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Dnar Llosregni

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I was founded in 1901 by two Milwaukee men intent on "taking the work out of bicycling." (Back then you'd buy gas for my products a pint at a time, at drugstores.) Twenty thousand of my products served in World War I. In 1965, I set a world land speed record of 177 m.p.h. I'm known for teardrop-shaped gas tanks, "knucklehead" engines, "Fat Boys," and the Buell, Cagiva and MV Agusta brands. My stock price has accelerated about 16-fold over the last 20 years, I rake in more than $5 billion annually, and my ticker symbol is rather porcine.  Who am I? The answer backwards:  Nosdivad-YelraH

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A Harley-Davidson FLSTN Softail Deluxe. Bloomberg News file

. , Motorola's "Green Phone" is a successor to the company's first cell phone in 1983. Bloomberg News .

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I was founded in Chicago in 1928 by the Galvin brothers, who coined my name to reflect motion and radios. In the 1930s I made car radios and police cruiser receivers. I invented the first walkie-talkie and the Six Sigma quality improvement process. I introduced the first commercial portable cell phone in 1983 and the first all-digital, high-definition television standard in 1990. Today, I'm a global force in wireless handsets and accessories, digital entertainment devices, wireless access systems, enterprise mobility and more. My "Batwing" logo was adopted in 1955. I helped Neil Armstrong speak from the moon.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Alorotom

. , Bloomberg News .

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I was born in 1913, when five Californians (a banker, miner, bookkeeper, lawyer and purveyor of wood and coal) pooled $500 to create the Electro-Alkaline Co., America's first commercial liquid bleach maker. Today, I'm a leading consumer products enterprise, taking in more than $5 billion annually and paying a 3.7 percent dividend. My brand names include Armor All, STP, Fresh Step, Scoop Away, Kingsford, Hidden Valley, KC Masterpiece, Brita, Burt's Bee's and Glad. I was bought by Procter & Gamble in 1957, but antitrust concerns led to me regaining my independence in 1969.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Xorolc

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I was founded in Sweden in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad, whose initials form part of my name. He began by buying matches in bulk as a child and reselling them individually, before moving on to selling seeds, fish and ballpoint pens. I issued my first catalog in 1951. My "democratic design" aims to offer affordable and beautiful products to the masses. I'm a private company, with more than 550 million shoppers visiting my 250-plus stores annually. Many of my products require some assembly, but my meatballs require none. I rake in close to $30 billion annually.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Aeki

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Bloomberg News file

. , The Nokia 7205 Intrigue from Verizon Wireless. Associated Pressfile .

Last Week's Trivia Answer: My roots go back to 1865, when Fredrik Idestam, a mining engineer, established a wood-pulp mill in Finland. I later became a conglomerate making things from paper to chemicals to rubber galoshes to televisions, before finally evolving recently into a major communications company. I'm the world's top maker of portable talking and listening devices, and my slogan is "Connecting People." I employ more than 110,000 people, some 27 percent of them in research and development. My name is one of the world's top 10 brands and I rake in some 50 billion euros in sales annually.  Who am I?  The answer backwards: Aikon

Last Week's Trivia Answer: The chain that shares my name was started in 1950 in Quincy, Mass., and is today the world's largest coffee and baked goods chain, serving more than 3 million customers each day in nearly 9,000 eateries. Given my name, you'd think that doughnuts would account for more than a sixth of my sales. I also own the Baskin-Robbins ice cream business, which includes roughly 6,000 franchises. I recently made all my menu items trans-fat-free. I rake in about $7 billion globally, but you can't buy stock in me, because I'm owned by some private-equity outfits.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Sdnarb 'Niknud

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The world's largest coffee and baked goods chain serves more than 3 million customers each day in nearly 9,000 eateries. Courtesy Bloomberg News file .

, AP file .

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I started in aircraft in the 1930s. Today I'm a global security giant that rakes in nearly $34 billion yearly, offering aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services. Based in Los Angeles, I produce spacecraft, laser systems and nuclear-powered submarines, among other things. My acquisitions over the years have included Westinghouse Defense Electronics, Logicon, Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical, Litton Industries, Newport News Shipbuilding and TRW. My products have included the N-3PB patrol bomber of 1940, the F6F Hellcat of 1944, the F-5 supersonic fighter of 1959, and the B-2 stealth bomber.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Nammurg Porhtron

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The B-2 stealth bomber,  made by the Northrop Grumman Corp., is shown landing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. AP file

. . . An employee cleans a display in the front window of a RadioShack store in New York. Bloomberg News file  . .

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I was born in 1919 in Fort Worth, and began by selling leather shoe parts. In 1963, I bought an electronics chain whose name I took as my own. In 1977, I introduced the first mass-produced personal computer: the TRS-80 microcomputer. Today I'm a major retailer of name-brand wireless communication products, along with all kinds of gadgets, gizmos and gifts. With 6,000-plus locations and 35,000 employees, I rake in more than $4 billion annually and have earned high marks for my customer service. You might call me a wireless transmitter hut. Or a broadcast bungalow.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Kcahsoidar

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Founded in 1932 to sell nail enamel, I'm a titan in cosmetics, skin care, fragrance and personal care. My brands — such as Almay, ColorStay, New Complexion, Flex, Flair, Fire & Ice, Jean Nate, Ciara, Enjoli, Jontue and Ultima II — are known worldwide. During World War II, I made first-aid kits and dye markers for the Navy. Later, I introduced manicure and pedicure tools. Charlie, introduced in 1973, quickly became the world's top fragrance. In the 1990s, I became the No. 1 brand in mass color cosmetics. Based in Manhattan, I rake in $1.3 billion annually.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Nolver

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Revlon lipstick is displayed at a Brooklyn pharmacy. Associated Press file

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I was born in Palo Alto, Calif., in the mid-'90s and already, my brand is one of the most recognized in the world. I help you search by evaluating billions of Web pages and solving an equation with millions of variables to determine the relative importance of each page. I offer e-mail, maps, directions, satellite photographs, news alerts and financial information. I own Picasa and YouTube, too. My name is a play on the mathematical term for a 1 followed by 100 zeros. I went public in 2004 and am already valued at more than $125 billion.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Elgoog

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Google employees work in front of an illuminated sign at industrial fair Hannover Messe in Hanover, Germany. Associated Press file

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I was born in Brooklyn in 1938. My chewing gum was considered a “change-maker,” as it was positioned near cash registers, attracting people’s pennies. After World War II, I introduced Bazooka Joe bubble gum, after Atom Bubble Boy failed to take off. In 1951, I introduced baseball trading cards. Now I offer not only basketball, football and soccer cards, but also Obama and other specialty cards. I’m an international marketer of collectible trading cards, confections (such as Ring Pops, Push Pops and Baby Bottle Pops), stickers, games and more. I take in around $300 million annually.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Sppot

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Photo from TulsaWorld

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I was founded in 1897, when I made reed organs. In 1932 I introduced pipe organs. At that time I was known as Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd. I make or have made pianos, motorcycles, drums, skis, tape decks, boats, golf clubs, furniture, tennis rackets, semiconductors, synthesizers, computer drives, fancy home furnishings and snowmobiles. I've even owned and run some resorts. There are more than 700,000 students in my music schools in more than 40 nations. I hold nearly 10,000 patents and have made more than 6 million pianos since 1900. Some of my newer instruments are silent. Who am I? The answer backwards: Ahamay

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Yamaha Motor Co. motorcycles are displayed at a dealership in Tokyo, Japan, in May 2008. Bloomberg News file

Last Week's Trivia Answer: My history can be traced back to 1881's Eastman Dry Plate Co. My founder aimed to simplify photography with low-cost mass production. After introducing film in rolls in 1883, he offered a $25 camera pre-loaded with enough film for 100 exposures. By 1900, my popular Brownie sold for a mere dollar. Today, with annual sales topping $9 billion, I offer digital cameras, inkjet printers, retail printing kiosks, commercial printing software, photographic film, photographic paper and processing chemicals, and photofinishing services, among other things. Every movie that won a "Best Picture" Oscar was shot on my film. Who am I? The answer backwards: Kadok

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Eastman Kodak Co., based in Rochester, N.Y., started with film cameras and film and now offers digital cameras and printing software. Bloomberg News file

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Founded in 1957 and based in St. Louis, I'm the largest car-rental company in America. I sport more than 7,000 offices (including more than 240 at airports) and will pick up my customers for free. I have more than 700,000 vehicles in service, up from 90,000 in 1990 and 500 in 1970. I rake in more than $10 billion annually. I'm a privately held company, though, so you can't buy stock in me. I've been named a "Customer Service Champ" several times by BusinessWeek and am one of the largest recruiters at colleges.  Who am I?  The answer backwards: Rac-A-Tenr Esirpretne

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Enterprise Rent-A-Car toppled bigger auto renters with a promise to pick up their customers for free. Bloomberg News file

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Tracing my history back to Minnesota in 1870, today I'm one of the largest American supermarket companies, with annual sales topping $40 billion. My regional brands include Acme, Albertsons, Bristol Farms, Cub Foods, Farm Fresh, Hornbacher's, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's/Star-Market, Shop'n Save and Sunflower Market. My in-store house brands include Culinary Circle, Wild Harvest and homelife. I run some 2,400 stores and 900 in-store pharmacies and employ more than 180,000 people. I've paid a dividend for more than 70 years. My mission is to serve my customers "better than anyone else could serve them."  Who am I?  The answer backwards: Ulavrepus

. . . AutoZone Inc.'s stock has risen by fivefold over the past decade. Bloomberg News file  . .

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Born in 1979 in Arkansas, I'm one of the nation's top retailers and distributors of automotive replacement parts and accessories. I sport roughly 4,200 stores, some of which provide commercial credit, and deliver parts and other products to local, regional and national repair garages, dealers and service stations. I sell Duralast, Duralast Gold and Valucraft brands, and ALLDATA diagnostic and repair software. I recycle more than 15,700 tons of cardboard annually. My stock has soared in value fivefold over the past decade, and my workers are trained to "GOTTChA" — go out to the customer's automobile.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Enoz Otua

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I was born in 1977, when three software engineers built a database program for the CIA. Today I'm the world's largest business software company, with more than 300,000 customers (including all of the Fortune 100). I'm known for helping companies store, process and extract insights from massive amounts of data — but I do much more. My stock has advanced at an average annual rate of 22 percent over the past 20 years. I recently bought Sun Microsystems. I rake in more than $22 billion annually. My name conjures up images of sooth- sayers, prognostications and Delphi. Who am I? The answer backwards: Elcaro

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Photo by Bloomberg News file

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I'm the world's largest restaurant company in terms of system units, sporting more than 36,000 restaurants in more than 110 countries and territories. Under my roof, you'll find Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, Long John Silver's and A&W All-American Food Restaurants. Based in Louisville, Ky., I ring up more than $11 billion in sales annually and employ more than 1 million people. In 2008, I opened more than four new restaurants daily outside the United States, making me the world's largest retail developer. In 2002, I changed my name from Tricon Global Restaurants. My ticker symbol is tasty. Who am I? The answer backwards: Sdnarb !Muy

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This KFC-Taco Bell restaurant in Northampton, Mass., includes two of the parent company's brands. Associated Press file

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Some people know me as the Federal National Mortgage Association, but most people know me by a name that makes me sound like one of the Beverly Hills Clampetts. Born in 1938, I'm a government-sponsored enterprise, chartered by Congress. My mission is to help keep the American housing market stable and liquid by working with banks, brokers and others to ensure that they're able to offer affordable mortgages. I buy many mortgages, securitize them, and then sell them on the markets. Last year I was put under the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Eam Einnaf

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The headquarters of Fannie Mae in Washington. Mannie Garcia / Bloomberg News

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Founded in Arkansas in 1935, I'm the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork. I process 40 million chickens per week and the chicken wings I produce each year would stretch from Los Angeles to New York and back more than six times. I'm America's No. 2 tortilla producer, the leading supplier of protein to all large American restaurant chains and a top provider of cooked meat toppings to the U.S. pizza industry. I've contracted with more than 6,000 family farmers. In 2008, I raked in $27 billion, and I'm the Fortune 500's second-largest food company.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Sdoof Nosyt

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tyson profit climbed more than tenfold-fold in the third quarter as chicken prices increased. Daniel Acker / Bloomberg

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Founded in 1890 in St. Louis, where I'm still headquartered today, I began by making electric motors and fans. Today I'm a global manufacturer, specializing in networks, process management, industrial auto- mation, climate technologies, storage, appliances and tools. My CEO oversees some 140,000 employees and 255 manufacturing locations. During World War II, I made airplane gun turrets and more than 10 million brass shell casings. My name isn't Waldo or Ralph, and in 2000 I dropped "Electric" from it. I've been named one of America's best corpo- rate citizens. I rake in about $25 billion annually.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Noserme

. . , Photo from www.coinstar.com . .

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I was founded in 1991 by a Stanford grad with an idea to distribute and profit from self-serve machines that turn coins into cash. Today, in more than 90,000 supermarkets, drug stores, retailers, restaurants, financial institutions and restaurants, I have machines that count coins, transfer money, offer entertainment (such as skill-crane machines), sell prepaid debit cards and wireless airtime, and rent DVDs (via my Redbox business), among other things. When you dump your change into one of my machines, I keep about 9 percent for myself. I rake in more than $900 million annually.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Ratsnioc

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Founded in Nebraska in 1867 and headquartered in Omaha, I'm a top packaged food firm, with brands such as Healthy Choice, Chef Boyardee, Egg Beaters, Gulden's, La Choy, Marie Callender's, Parkay, Swiss Miss, Wesson, Hebrew National, Hunt's, Van Camp's, Orville Redenbacher's, PAM and Banquet, among others. You'll find my consumer brands in 97 percent of U.S. households. Twenty-six are ranked first or second in their category. I'm also a major commercial food company, and one of the nation's premiere specialty potato providers to restaurants and others. I rake in more than $12 billion per year.  Who am I? The answer backwards: ArgaNoc

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Photo from Tulsa World

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I was officially formed in 1925, but one of my founders' tractors was used by the Allies in World War I.  I'm the world's top maker of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines, with annual sales topping $50 billion.  My 300-plus machines include backhoe loaders, cold planers, feller bunchers, harvesters, hydraulic excavators, knuckleboom loaders, pavers, pipelayers, road reclaimers and skidders. My "797" mining truck has an operating weight of 1.4 million pounds.  I've paid dividends for some 75 consecutive years. More than half my sales are generated outside America.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Rallipretac

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Photo from Caterpillar Equipment

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I was founded in 1910 by a Nebraska teenager who moved to Kansas City, Mo., with two shoeboxes full of postcards. I produced my first Valentine in 1913, and today I crank out 18,000 new and redesigned greeting cards and related products per year. My cards come in 30 languages and are sold in 100 nations. Since 1951, my dramatic television series has won more than 75 Emmy awards. I have nearly 15,000 employees worldwide. My brands include Crayola and Silly Putty. I rake in more than $4 billion annually, and I'm privately held.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Kramllah

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mother's Day cards are on display    at a Hallmark store. JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World file

Last Week's Trivia Answer: Not long after the Wright brothers took flight in 1903, my founder turned a shipyard into an airplane factory. Today, I'm the world's top aerospace company, making commercial jetliners, military aircraft, rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles, and fancy information and communication systems. I also serve NASA, operating the space shuttle and International Space Station. In my past, I've made furniture, boats, subway cars and wind turbines. I merged with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. I moved my headquarters from Seattle to Chicago in 2001, and I rake in more than $60 billion annually.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Gnieob

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Photo from ArabianSupplyChain.com

. . , Photo from Google.com . .

Last Week's Trivia Answer: I was born in 1992 and bought by U.S. Robotics in 1995. A year later I introduced some groundbreaking computers that fit in pockets, or in the "me" of my hand. In 1997 I became a subsidiary of 3Com Corp., but in 1999 3Com decided to spin me off. My ground- breaking product shared its name with the guy in the cockpit. Today my darlings are Pixi, Treo, Centro and Pre and they're facing some tough competition these days. I raked in $736 million in fiscal 2009, when I shipped 2.4 million smartphones.  Who am I? The answer backwards: Mlap

Drawing from Images.Amuniversal.com