Silly Putty trivia
Silly Putty Mini Quiz
Test your knowledge with these top questions!
What wartime problem did scientists attempt to solve when they accidentally created Silly Putty?
During World War II, Japan cut off the US supply of natural rubber from Asia. In response, engineer James Wright combined boric acid and silicone oil, inventing the toy.
Classic Silly Putty famously allowed children to perform what popular trick with comic strips?
The original trick worked perfectly because mid-century newspapers used petroleum-based inks. Modern soy-based inks resist transferring to the silicone-based putty.
Apollo 8 astronauts used Silly Putty to perform what practical task while orbiting the moon?
In the microgravity of space, loose objects pose a severe hazard. NASA selected the toy to hold down instruments because it is highly adhesive and completely non-toxic.
How does a ball of Silly Putty physically react when a person strikes it hard with a hammer?
Silly Putty is a non-Newtonian fluid, meaning its behavior changes based on applied force. Gentle handling stretches it, but a sudden, violent impact causes it to shatter.