Today's Atlantic Trivia: Name That Norman Rockwell Subject

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Today's Atlantic Trivia: Name That Norman Rockwell Subject

Test your knowledge—and read our latest stories for a little extra help. Updated with new questions at 9:30 a.m. ET on February 26, 2026.

If you place any stock in the ability of IQ tests to accurately measure intelligence, then humanity has demonstrably grown smarter over the past century. Conversely, if you doubt their efficacy, the human race has undeniably become more adept at taking these standardized assessments.

Because IQ is a standardized measure, the global average score remains pegged at 100. However, this is not the same benchmark of 100 as in previous generations. IQ tests undergo regular recalibration. Over many decades, when new cohorts take older versions of these tests, they consistently outperform the average scores of their predecessors. While Grandpa's generation might have scored around 100, today's youth often achieve scores of 115, which then becomes the new baseline average of 100 for subsequent testing.

This phenomenon, known as the Flynn effect, continues to puzzle researchers regarding its precise causes. Potential explanations range from more efficient educational systems and improved nutrition to the hypothesis that modern environments offer richer stimuli or that environmental factors, such as the removal of lead from gasoline, have played a role. While the surge in trivia and quizzing popularity hasn't been directly linked to the IQ trend, their parallel rise is notable. Scientific consensus suggests we shouldn't dismiss any contributing factors, however unconventional.

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An intriguing facet of Norman Rockwell's career, renowned for his quintessential depictions of American life, is his unexpected victory in an abstract art competition. In 1961, Rockwell embarked on "The Connoisseur," a painting depicting a formally dressed museum patron contemplating a Jackson Pollock-esque abstract piece. To achieve the authentic look of the abstract work, Rockwell first created a complete, separate drip-painted canvas. He then positioned the figure of the museum-goer as a cutout overlay. Left with the Pollock-style painting, Rockwell decided to submit it to an exhibition under a pseudonym. The piece ultimately won first prize at the Cooperstown Art Association in New York.

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Furthermore, consider the recurring theme in presidential rhetoric regarding the "state of the union." Since Ronald Reagan's 1983 address, nearly every president has described the union as "strong." Notably, George H. W. Bush is the only president who did not directly use this adjective. The practice of assigning a specific descriptor to the state of the union dates back further, to Gerald Ford. In 1975, he offered a candid assessment: "The state of the union is not good." Perhaps spurred by a national desire for improvement, or actual progress, he revised his statement the following year to, "The state of the union is better."

Historical polling provides another fascinating case study. The Literary Digest, a prominent polling organization in the early 20th century that had accurately predicted five presidential elections (1916, 1920, 1924, 1928, and 1932), experienced a dramatic failure in the 1936 election, misjudging the outcome by a staggering 38 points. The publication forecast an Alf Landon victory over Franklin D. Roosevelt by 14 points in the popular vote. Instead, Roosevelt secured a 24-point win and carried all but two states. The critical flaw lay in the Digest's sampling methodology: they drew their sample from lists of individuals with registered telephones or automobiles. During the Great Depression, these assets were disproportionately held by those less likely to vote for the Democratic party.

The evolution of everyday items also offers curious insights. The world's first sweatpants were introduced in the 1920s by a French designer seeking comfortable attire for stretching exercises. Originally made entirely of wool, these garments, while perhaps functional in a fitness context, would likely be far less comfortable than modern fabric alternatives.

Even seemingly ubiquitous technology like barcode scanning faced initial resistance. The very first item scanned using a barcode was a pack of Wrigley's chewing gum at an Ohio supermarket in June 1974. However, by the close of the 1970s, only about 1% of retail stores had adopted the technology. Widespread consumer apprehension existed, with fears that barcodes would be used for price manipulation. Advocacy groups actively campaigned against them, and protests, including store picketing, occurred. Some even equated barcodes with the biblical "mark of the beast." Despite these early hurdles, the technology eventually became commonplace, and public fears subsided. Though, encountering a total of $6.66 at checkout might still evoke a slight, perhaps superstitious, pause.

Finally, consider the longevity of academic institutions. The University of Bologna, founded nearly a millennium ago, stands as the world's oldest university established in its current form (though older institutions may have originated as madrasas). Its esteemed alumni include luminaries such as Nicolaus Copernicus and Dante Alighieri, alongside multiple popes. The thought of competing academically with such figures, like Dante submitting the "Divine Comedy" for a class assignment, is daunting. Yet, perhaps students like Copernicus, who faced academic challenges for proposing the heliocentric model, found their own ways to excel despite the prevailing norms.

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