Ask Mr. Know It All


Q. In vaudeville, there was a performer who billed himself as the Perfect Fool. Do you know who he was?

T.E., Rockland, Maine

A. “Perfect Fool” Isaiah Edwin Leopold was born in Philadelphia on Nov. 9, 1886, to a European immigrant family. As a child, Leopold often would perform for customers in his father’s millinery shop. In his mid-teens, Isaiah began to perform on stage, a profession that so troubled his father he asked his son to change his name so as not to bring shame to his family. He split his middle name, Edwin, to Ed Wynn and went on to enjoy a successful career in vaudeville, radio and television.

In time, his humor became outdated, and he was no longer in demand. At the urging of his actor son, Keenan Wynn, he took up serious acting and became a great character actor. He was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1959 for his role as Mr. Dussell in “Anne Frank.” He also voiced the Mad Hatter in “Alice in Wonderland” and played Uncle Albert in “Mary Poppins.” Wynn died in 1966.

Q. In the 1960s, I bought my boyfriend a bottle of aftershave for Christmas. I remember the advertising slogan: “Be careful how you use it.” I don’t remember the name of the aftershave. Do you? By the way, the boyfriend became my husband.

W.K.S., Salisbury, Md.

A. The aftershave was Hai Karate. The lemon-lime lotion also came with self-defense instructions in how the wearer could fight off the hordes of women who would be in pursuit. Hai Karate faded away in the 1980s.

Q. Who was America’s first millionaire?

O.C., Elk, Calif.

A. When Elias Hasket Derby died Sept. 8, 1799, he left an estate of $1 million, the largest single fortune in New England. Derby was born in Salem, Mass., in 1739. He worked for his father in the import business and took over the operation after his father’s death. Derby increased trade with England and the West Indies, adding to the company’s growth and his personal fortune. At the time of his death at age 60, his fortune would be equivalent to more than $13 million today.

In case you are wondering about John Jacob Astor, he came a bit later in America’s time line (1763-1848) and is recognized as this nation’s first multimillionaire.

Q. In business jargon, I have seen the word “disintermediation.” What does it mean?

L.B., Daly City, Calif.

A. It means removing the middleman. The term has become a popular buzzword used to describe many Internet-based businesses. By selling directly to the customer, avoiding retail channels, products are cheaper. The term is not exclusive to retail but is also applicable to finances, when you invest directly, avoiding a broker.

Q. How long has the parking meter been around? What city was the first to install the meter?

I.J., Andrews, Md.

A. You can give credit — or blame — for the parking meter to lawyer and publisher Carlton Magee of Oklahoma City. In July 1935, Oklahoma City became the first city to install the parking meter, which cost a nickel an hour, which is equivalent to about 85 cents today.

Q. The original cast of the TV sitcom “Seinfeld” was supposed to have only three main characters. The fourth was added later. Who was the afterthought?

T.K., Morris, Conn.

A. Elaine Benes, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, was added after the pilot. Network execs thought a female would add a different perspective to the all-male cast.

Q. What does “Dalai Lama” mean? How old is he?

R.V., Albany, N.Y.

A. There are several definitions, although all are similar. Here’s one: In Mongolian, “dalai” means “ocean,” while in Tibetan, “lama” means “spiritual teacher.”

The current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was born July 6, 1935.

Q. When did Time magazine start naming a person of the year?

K.L., Waterford, N.Y.

A. Time magazine originally started with a “Man of the Year” in 1927. The first honored person was Charles Lindbergh, the aviator who made the first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. The title was finally changed to “Person of the Year” in 1999.

Send your questions to Mr. Know-It-All at AskMrKIA@gmail.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

2014 Gary Clothier

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