Puzzler Answer: Man-made Object

Ray: All right. Now, we were just talking a few minutes ago about behaviour-modification therapy, and I have to admit I have made an unfortunate habit of degrading my poor, sweet brother during this part of the show.

Tom: Yeah.

Ray: And I admit at times I have taken great pleasure in embarrassing him in front of a national audience for what is just the result of the normal process of aging.

Tom: I mean, urr, you shouldn't be making fun of me. I'm doing my best!

Ray: I realize that.

Tom: As bad as it is--I'm doing my personal best! And still, with all that introduction, I haven't got a clue as to what the puzzler was last week.

You gonna give me a clue?

Ray: Well, actually, rather than use the stick approach I was going to use the carrot approach.

Tom: Oh.

Ray: Rather that hit you with the stick, I was going to use the carrot approach.

If you can remember last week's Puzzler, I'll tell you where I hid your denture cream.

Tom: Well, even with that kind of incentive, I have no idea.

Ray: Ok. Well, here it is.

This was sent to us by a guy named Thomas Dobson, and all I can deduce from his e-mail address is that he is from OHSU-that's Old Honolulu State University.

Here's the question: What man-made object first broke the sound barrier?

Tom: Ahhhh, I remember this.

Ray: Of course you remember now; I just gave it to you again.

Tom: Well, it's familiar to me. Sometimes you give the question and I say, "What?" But this time I remember it. I like the answer.

Ray: What man-made object first broke the sound barrier?

Tom: I know the answer.

Ray: What is it?

Tom: The V2 rocket. 1942.

Ray: Long before that--hundreds of years before that - the common whip.

Tom: Sure.

Ray: And the crack you hear is the tip of whip breaking the sound barrier. I thought it was one of Mom's famous dope slaps. Because sometimes you never know when those are coming, and just like that, faster than the speed of light...

Tom: Yea, 'cos you could never see that hand coming. Then all of a sudden--Boom--to the back of the head.

Ray: Even at her age, 85, she's still able to dish out a dope slap with the best of them.

[ Car Talk Puzzler ]