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Which came first? Quiz

Quiz: Which Came First?

Test Your Knowledge on Historical Firsts

Dive into "Which Came First?", the engaging quiz that challenges your historical knowledge! Can you guess which of two items appeared first in history?

From Pepsi vs. Coca-Cola to Alexander the Great vs. Julius Caesar, this quiz spans a variety of themes, offering a fun way to explore historical events, inventions, and milestones.

Perfect for history enthusiasts or anyone looking for an entertaining way to learn, "Which Came First?" invites you on a thrilling journey through time. Let’s see how well you know the past!

Start the Quiz "Which came first?"

Discover Which Came First

  • Coca-Cola or Pepsi: Which brand was established first?

    Coca-Cola was established first in 1886 by John Stith Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia. The Coca-Cola formula and brand were bought in 1889 by Asa Candler who incorporated The Coca-Cola Company in 1892. Pepsi, on the other hand, was created by Caleb Bradham in New Bern, North Carolina, and was first introduced as "Brad's Drink" in 1893 before being renamed as Pepsi-Cola in 1898. Therefore, Coca-Cola predates Pepsi by about 7 years.

    • Coca-Cola
    • Pepsi

  • McDonald's or Burger King: Which fast food chain was founded first?

    McDonald's was founded first in 1940 by Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California, as a barbecue restaurant before transforming into a hamburger stand using production line principles. Burger King was founded later in 1953 by James McLamore and David Edgerton in Jacksonville, Florida. Initially named Insta-Burger King, it focused on a similar fast-food burger concept. Thus, McDonald's predates Burger King by 13 years.

    • McDonald's
    • Burger King

  • The first Starbucks or the first Dunkin' Donuts: Which opened first?

    Dunkin' (originally Dunkin' Donuts) opened first in 1950 in Quincy, Massachusetts, founded by William Rosenberg. Starbucks opened later in 1971 in Seattle, Washington, founded by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker. Dunkin' primarily focused on donuts and coffee, while Starbucks emphasized premium coffee products. Thus, Dunkin' precedes Starbucks by 21 years.

    • Dunkin' Donuts
    • Starbucks

  • Super Mario Bros. or Sonic the Hedgehog: Which video game character debuted first?

    Super Mario Bros., featuring Mario, debuted first in 1985, created by Shigeru Miyamoto and produced by Nintendo, becoming one of the most iconic video game franchises in history. Sonic the Hedgehog, created by Yuji Naka, Naoto Ohshima, and Hirokazu Yasuhara, made his first appearance in 1991 as Sega's mascot. Therefore, Super Mario predates Sonic by 6 years.

    • Super Mario Bros.
    • Sonic the Hedgehog

  • Twitter or Instagram: Which social media platform was launched first?

    Twitter (rebranded to "X" in July 2023) was launched first on March 21, 2006, by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams. Instagram was launched later, on October 6, 2010, by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. Twitter's platform focuses on microblogging and allows users to post "tweets," while Instagram is centered around photo and video sharing. Therefore, Twitter precedes Instagram by over 4 years.

    • Twitter
    • Instagram

  • Netflix or YouTube: Which came first?

    Netflix was founded first in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, initially as a DVD rental service before transitioning to streaming in 2007. YouTube was founded later, in February 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim, and quickly became the leading platform for user-generated video content. Hence, Netflix, in its original form as a DVD rental service, predates YouTube, but as a streaming service, it transitioned around the same time YouTube was growing in popularity.

    • Netflix
    • YouTube

  • Google or Yahoo: Which search engine was launched first?

    Yahoo was launched first, in January 1994 by Jerry Yang and David Filo as "Jerry and David's Guide to the World Wide Web" before being renamed Yahoo in March 1994. Google was founded later, in September 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Yahoo started as a web directory for other websites before evolving into a full-fledged web portal and search engine, while Google focused on improving search results through its PageRank algorithm. Thus, Yahoo predates Google by several years.

    • Yahoo
    • Google

  • The first iPhone or the first Android smartphone: Which was released first?

    The first iPhone was released first, on June 29, 2007, by Apple Inc. The first Android smartphone, the T-Mobile G1 (also known as HTC Dream), was released later, on September 23, 2008. The iPhone revolutionized the smartphone market with its touch screen interface and absence of a physical keyboard, while Android, developed by Android Inc. and later acquired by Google, offered an open-source operating system that allowed for greater customization. Therefore, the iPhone was introduced to the market before the first Android smartphone.

    • iPhone
    • Android

  • eBay or Amazon: Which online marketplace was founded first?

    Amazon was founded first, in July 1994 by Jeff Bezos, and started as an online bookstore before expanding into a broader range of products. eBay was founded later, in September 1995 by Pierre Omidyar as AuctionWeb, part of a larger personal site. Initially, it was an online auction and shopping website where people and businesses could buy and sell a wide variety of goods and services worldwide. Therefore, Amazon precedes eBay in terms of establishment.

    • eBay
    • Amazon

  • Walt Disney World or Disneyland: Which theme park opened first?

    Disneyland opened first on July 17, 1955, in Anaheim, California. It was the first-ever Disney theme park, envisioned and created by Walt Disney himself. Walt Disney World Resort, its larger counterpart in Orlando, Florida, opened later, on October 1, 1971. Disneyland set the standard for theme parks worldwide and remains a landmark of entertainment history. Therefore, Disneyland precedes Walt Disney World.

    • Disneyland
    • Walt Disney World

  • The Simpsons or South Park: Which animated series premiered first?

    The Simpsons premiered first, debuting on December 17, 1989, on Fox. It was created by Matt Groening and is considered the longest-running American sitcom and the longest-running American animated program. South Park, created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, made its debut later, on August 13, 1997, on Comedy Central. The Simpsons has had a significant influence on pop culture and animated television, making it the predecessor to South Park in terms of premiere.

    • The Simpsons
    • South Park

  • The Matrix or Jurassic Park: Which movie was released first?

    Jurassic Park was released first, on June 11, 1993. Directed by Steven Spielberg, it became a landmark in the use of computer-generated imagery to bring dinosaurs to life on the big screen. The Matrix, directed by the Wachowskis, followed later, premiering on March 31, 1999. It was revolutionary for its visual effects, including the bullet time technique. Thus, Jurassic Park predates The Matrix in terms of theatrical release.

    • Jurassic Park
    • The Matrix

  • Basketball or Volleyball: Which sport was invented first?

    Basketball was invented first, in December 1891 by Dr. James Naismith in Springfield, Massachusetts, as an indoor sport to keep athletes in shape during winter. Volleyball was invented later, in 1895 by William G. Morgan, just a few miles away in Holyoke, Massachusetts, as a less strenuous alternative to basketball for older members of the YMCA. Therefore, basketball predates volleyball.

    • Basketball
    • Volleyball

  • Chess or Checkers: Which game was invented first?

    Checkers, also known as draughts, was invented first. Its history can be traced back to the ancient Egyptian game of Alquerque, which dates back to around 3000 B.C. Chess followed later, with its earliest form, chaturanga, originating in India around the 6th century A.D. Chess evolved over centuries into the modern game known today. Thus, Checkers predates Chess by several millennia.

    • Checkers
    • Chess

  • Scrabble or Monopoly: Which board game was created first?

    Monopoly was created first. It was originally designed by Lizzie Magie as The Landlord's Game in 1904, but it became Monopoly as we know it today in 1935 when Charles Darrow developed a version and sold it to Parker Brothers. Scrabble was invented later, in 1938 by Alfred Mosher Butts as a game called Lexiko before evolving into Scrabble. The game was trademarked as Scrabble in 1948. Therefore, Monopoly predates Scrabble.

    • Monopoly
    • Scrabble

  • Frozen yogurt or ice cream: Which treat was invented first?

    Ice cream was invented first, with early versions dating back to the 4th century B.C. in Persia. It has evolved over centuries, with several cultures contributing to its development. Frozen yogurt, however, did not appear until the 1970s as a lower-fat alternative to ice cream. Therefore, ice cream predates frozen yogurt by several millennia.

    • Ice cream
    • Frozen yogurt

  • Sliced bread or bubble gum: both invented in the same year, but which achieved widespread distribution first?

    The first successful bubble gum, known as Dubble Bubble, was invented by Walter Diemer in 1928 at the Fleer Chewing Gum Company and quickly became popular, with sales reaching $1.5 million in the first year. Sliced bread, introduced by the Chillicothe Baking Company on July 7, 1928, using Otto Frederick Rohwedder's bread-slicing machine, took a few more years to become widely available. By 1933, around 80% of bread sold in the US was pre-sliced. Thus, bubble gum was available and popular before sliced bread reached widespread distribution.

    • Bubble gum
    • Sliced bread

  • The invention of the skateboard or the invention of the surfboard: Which came first?

    The surfboard was invented first. Surfing, with its origins in ancient Polynesia, has been practiced for centuries, with the first recorded accounts in the late 1700s during Captain James Cook’s journeys to Hawaii. Skateboarding, often referred to as "sidewalk surfing," was not invented until the 1940s to 1950s as a way for surfers to practice on land. Therefore, the surfboard predates the skateboard by several centuries.

    • The surfboard
    • The skateboard

  • Tea or coffee: Which beverage was discovered first?

    Tea was discovered first, with documented usage in China dating back to the 3rd century AD, though legends suggest it may have been used as early as 2737 BC by Emperor Shen Nong. Coffee was discovered later, with popular legend dating its discovery to the 9th century AD in Ethiopia, although the first credible evidence of coffee drinking appears in the middle of the 15th century in Yemen. Therefore, tea predates coffee by several centuries.

    • Tea
    • Coffee

  • LED lights or Fluorescent lights: Which technology was developed first?

    Fluorescent lights were developed first. The principle behind the fluorescent lamp was discovered in the early 19th century, and the first practical fluorescent lamp was patented in 1901 by Peter Cooper Hewitt. LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology was not developed until 1962 when Nick Holonyak, Jr., invented the first practical visible-spectrum LED. Therefore, fluorescent lights predate LED lights.

    • Fluorescent lights
    • LED lights

  • The Wheel or Fire: Which was harnessed by humans first?

    Fire was harnessed by humans first. Evidence suggests that humans began using fire for cooking and heat at least 1 million years ago. The wheel, however, was invented much later, with the earliest known examples dating back to around 3500 BC in Mesopotamia for pottery making and later for transportation. Therefore, the harnessing of fire predates the invention of the wheel by hundreds of thousands of years.

    • Fire
    • The Wheel

  • Harry Potter book series or The Lord of the Rings book series: Which was published first?

    The Lord of the Rings book series was published first. J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Fellowship of the Ring," the first book in The Lord of the Rings series, was published in 1954. J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" (known as "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in the U.S.), the first book in the Harry Potter series, was published much later, in 1997. Therefore, The Lord of the Rings precedes Harry Potter by several decades.

    • The Lord of the Rings book series
    • Harry Potter book series

  • The Beatles or The Rolling Stones: Which band was formed first?

    The Beatles were formed first. The Beatles were officially formed in Liverpool in 1960, although they had been playing together under different names since 1957. The Rolling Stones were formed in London in 1962. Despite their similar timelines and the British Invasion music movement they both spearheaded, The Beatles came together as a band before The Rolling Stones.

    • The Beatles
    • The Rolling Stones

  • Who was born first, Leonardo da Vinci or Michelangelo?

    Leonardo da Vinci was born first. Leonardo was born on April 15, 1452, in Vinci, Italy. Michelangelo Buonarroti was born later, on March 6, 1475, in Caprese, Italy. Both became towering figures of the Italian Renaissance, but Leonardo da Vinci came into the world approximately 23 years before Michelangelo.

    • Leonardo da Vinci
    • Michelangelo

  • Which was introduced first, Bitcoin or Ethereum?

    Bitcoin was introduced first. It was created by an individual or group of people under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto and was released as open-source software in 2009. Ethereum, proposed by Vitalik Buterin in late 2013 and development was crowdfunded in 2014, went live on July 30, 2015. Thus, Bitcoin predates Ethereum by several years.

    • Bitcoin
    • Ethereum

  • Which existed first, The Roman Empire or The Han Dynasty?

    The Roman Empire was officially established with the end of the Roman Republic and the rise of Augustus as the first emperor in 27 BC. The Han Dynasty began earlier, in 206 BC, after the fall of the Qin Dynasty in China. Despite the vast geographical distance between them, these two states existed contemporaneously for centuries, but the Han Dynasty was established first.

    • The Han Dynasty
    • The Roman Empire

  • What was invented first, the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell or the light bulb by Thomas Edison?

    The telephone by Alexander Graham Bell was invented first. Bell was awarded the first US patent for the invention of the telephone in 1876. Thomas Edison was granted a patent for his improvement of the electric light bulb in 1879, although he did not invent the first electric light bulb but rather improved upon previous designs to make it practical for widespread use. Therefore, the telephone predates Edison's practical light bulb.

    • The telephone
    • The light bulb

  • Who started their professional sports career first, Michael Jordan or LeBron James?

    Michael Jordan started his professional sports career first. Jordan was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1984 and quickly became one of the most iconic figures in basketball. LeBron James, often compared to Jordan for his on-court prowess, started his professional career much later, being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. Therefore, Michael Jordan's professional career precedes that of LeBron James by nearly two decades.

    • Michael Jordan
    • LeBron James

  • What was established first, the United Nations or the European Union?

    The United Nations was established first. It was founded on October 24, 1945, in the aftermath of World War II, with the goal of preventing future conflicts and fostering international cooperation. The European Union, in its earliest form as the European Coal and Steel Community, was created later, in 1951, and evolved over decades into the EU with the Maastricht Treaty in 1993. Thus, the UN predates the EU.

    • The United Nations
    • The European Union

  • The Suez Canal or the Panama Canal: Which was completed first?

    The Suez Canal was completed first. It was officially opened on November 17, 1869, providing a direct maritime route between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. The Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean, was completed later, with its official opening on August 15, 1914. Therefore, the Suez Canal's completion predates that of the Panama Canal by several decades.

    • The Suez Canal
    • The Panama Canal

  • Who made the significant scientific discovery first, Galileo Galilei or Isaac Newton?

    Galileo Galilei made significant scientific discoveries first. His most notable achievements, including improvements to the telescope and consequential astronomical observations, date back to the early 17th century (around 1610). Isaac Newton, whose work laid the foundation for classical mechanics, made his most renowned contributions (such as the laws of motion and universal gravitation) later in the 17th century, with the publication of his "Principia Mathematica" in 1687. Therefore, Galileo's contributions to science came before Newton's.

    • Galileo Galilei
    • Isaac Newton

  • Who invented first, Thomas Edison with the light bulb or Nikola Tesla with alternating current (AC)?

    Thomas Edison's work on the light bulb predates Nikola Tesla's work on alternating current (AC). Edison developed the first commercially viable incandescent light bulb in 1879. Nikola Tesla, on the other hand, began his work on AC in the 1880s and received patents for his AC motors and transformer systems in 1888. Therefore, Edison's invention of the light bulb came before Tesla's advancements in AC technology.

    • Thomas Edison with the light bulb
    • Nikola Tesla with alternating current (AC)

  • What occurred first, the first manned moon landing or the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope?

    The first manned moon landing occurred first. Apollo 11, the mission that brought Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins to the Moon, successfully landed on July 20, 1969. Armstrong and Aldrin became the first and second humans, respectively, to walk on the Moon. The Hubble Space Telescope was launched much later, on April 24, 1990, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-31. Thus, the manned moon landing precedes the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope by over two decades.

    • The first manned moon landing
    • The launch of the Hubble Space Telescope

  • What was developed first, the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming or the creation of the first vaccine by Edward Jenner?

    The creation of the first vaccine by Edward Jenner was developed first. Jenner's work on the smallpox vaccine was published in 1796, introducing the concept of vaccination to prevent disease. The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming, which marked the beginning of modern antibiotics, did not occur until 1928. Therefore, Edward Jenner's development of the first vaccine predates Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin by over a century.

    • The first vaccine
    • The penicillin

  • The construction of the Great Wall of China or the construction of the Pyramids of Giza: Which was constructed first?

    The construction of the Pyramids of Giza was completed first. The most famous of these, the Great Pyramid of Giza, was constructed around 2580–2560 BC as a tomb for the Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu. In contrast, the construction of the Great Wall of China began in the 7th century BC as a means of protection against invasions. While the wall was extended and rebuilt over centuries, the Pyramids of Giza are older by several millennia.

    • Pyramids of Giza
    • Great Wall of China

  • What happened first, the first successful flight of the Wright brothers or the launch of Sputnik 1?

    The first successful flight of the Wright brothers occurred first. On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright achieved the first powered, sustained, and controlled airplane flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. This event marked the beginning of the aviation era. The launch of Sputnik 1, the first artificial Earth satellite by the Soviet Union, did not occur until October 4, 1957, signifying the start of space exploration. Therefore, the Wright brothers' flight predates the launch of Sputnik 1 by over five decades.

    • The flight of the Wright brothers
    • The launch of Sputnik 1

  • Who lived first, Socrates or Confucius?

    Confucius lived first. Confucius, a Chinese philosopher and educator, lived from 551 BC to 479 BC. Socrates, a Greek philosopher and one of the founders of Western philosophy, lived later, from circa 470 BC to 399 BC. Thus, Confucius' life predates that of Socrates by several decades.

    • Confucius
    • Socrates

  • Who was born first, Pythagoras or Euclid?

    Pythagoras was born first. Pythagoras, an ancient Ionian Greek philosopher and the eponymous founder of Pythagoreanism, is thought to have been born around 570 BC. Euclid, a Greek mathematician often referred to as the "father of geometry" for his work in the field, lived much later, around 300 BC. Therefore, Pythagoras predates Euclid by approximately 270 years.

    • Pythagoras
    • Euclid

  • What happened first, the discovery of America by Columbus or the first voyage around the world by Magellan?

    The discovery of America by Christopher Columbus occurred first. Columbus reached the New World on October 12, 1492, during his quest to find a westward route to Asia. The first voyage around the world, initiated by Ferdinand Magellan, took place later, beginning in 1519 and concluding in 1522, after Magellan's death, under the command of Juan Sebastián Elcano. Thus, Columbus' voyage predates Magellan's circumnavigation by approximately 27 years.

    • The discovery of America
    • The first voyage around the world

  • What was signed first, the Declaration of Independence or the Magna Carta?

    The Magna Carta was signed first. It was sealed by King John of England on June 15, 1215. The Declaration of Independence, asserting the independence of the thirteen American colonies from British rule, was adopted later, on July 4, 1776. Thus, the Magna Carta precedes the Declaration of Independence by over five centuries.

    • The Magna Carta
    • The Declaration of Independence

  • Who was born first, Plato or Aristotle?

    Plato was born first. Plato, a philosopher in Classical Greece and the founder of the Academy in Athens, was born around 428/427 BC. Aristotle, a student of Plato and tutor to Alexander the Great, was born later, in 384 BC. Therefore, Plato's birth precedes that of Aristotle by approximately 44 years.

    • Plato
    • Aristotle

  • Who was born first, Shakespeare or Charles Dickens?

    William Shakespeare was born first. Shakespeare, an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, was born in April 1564. Charles Dickens, a Victorian era novelist known for his vivid characters and depictions of social injustice, was born later, on February 7, 1812. Thus, Shakespeare's birth precedes that of Dickens by over two centuries.

    • William Shakespeare
    • Charles Dickens

  • Who lived first, Julius Caesar or Alexander the Great?

    Alexander the Great lived first. Alexander the Great, the King of Macedonia who created one of the largest empires in ancient history, was born in 356 BC and died in 323 BC. Julius Caesar, the Roman general and statesman who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire, was born later, in 100 BC, and was assassinated in 44 BC. Thus, Alexander's life and achievements precede those of Caesar.

    • Alexander the Great
    • Julius Caesar

  • Who was born first, Albert Einstein or Stephen Hawking?

    Albert Einstein was born first. Einstein, a theoretical physicist who developed the theory of relativity, one of the two pillars of modern physics, was born on March 14, 1879. Stephen Hawking, a theoretical physicist known for his work on black holes and cosmology, was born much later, on January 8, 1942. Therefore, Einstein's birth predates that of Hawking by over six decades.

    • Albert Einstein
    • Stephen Hawking

  • Who achieved their famous feat first, The Wright Brothers with flight or Henry Ford with automobile assembly line production?

    The Wright Brothers achieved their famous feat first. The Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur, achieved the first powered, sustained, and controlled airplane flight on December 17, 1903. Henry Ford's introduction of the moving assembly line into his automobile production process, which significantly lowered the cost of the Model T, did not occur until 1913. Thus, the Wright Brothers' flight precedes Ford's assembly line innovation by a decade.

    • The Wright Brothers with flight
    • Henry Ford with automobile assembly line production

Which came first? QuizMonstera Production / Pexels

Explore Historical Milestones

History is brimming with milestones that have shaped our world in ways big and small. From groundbreaking inventions to monumental events, these "firsts" not only mark significant achievements in human history but also showcase our endless quest for innovation and understanding. Here are some fascinating facts about historical firsts that might surprise you:

The First Photograph: In 1826 or 1827, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce captured "View from the Window at Le Gras," the oldest surviving photograph, using a process called heliography.

The Wheel: One of humanity's most significant inventions, the earliest known use of the wheel dates back to 3500 BC in Mesopotamia. It wasn't for transportation at first but rather as a potter's wheel.

The First Book Ever Printed: The "Gutenberg Bible" was the first major book printed using movable type in the 1450s by Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany. This event marked the start of the "Gutenberg Revolution" and the age of the printed book.

The First Email: In 1971, Ray Tomlinson sent the first email between two computers on ARPANET, using the '@' symbol to designate the receiving machine. This simple act laid the groundwork for the billions of emails sent daily today.

The First Flight: On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, made the first controlled, powered, and sustained heavier-than-air human flight, changing the world of travel forever.

The First Telephone Call: On March 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell made the first successful telephone call by transmitting the words "Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you" to his assistant, Thomas Watson.

The First Man in Space: On April 12, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to travel into space and orbit the Earth, heralding the age of human space exploration.

These moments are just the tip of the iceberg in the vast ocean of human achievement. Each "first" represents not just a point in time but a leap forward for mankind, demonstrating our innate drive to push boundaries and explore new horizons. As we continue to forge ahead, who knows what new "firsts" await us in the pages of future history?