Word of the week: "optotype." Optotypes are the specially shaped letters, symbols or geometric shapes seen on eye charts to test vision. For optimum readability, the height and width of optotypes are equal and all letters have the same dimensions. The familiar E-F-P-T-O-Z eye chart was developed by Dutch ophthalmologist Herman Snellen in 1862.

Play it again, Stan: After researching the pianistic talents of Phyllis Diller for a recent Bit, we thought we'd try to find other non-musical celebrity pianists. The list we came up with: Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Richard Gere, Kelsey Grammer and Jamie Foxx, who played the piano himself for his Oscar-winning role of Ray Charles. Speaking of Charles, add Prince Charles to the list also.

Cool wheels: What U.S. state has more registered snowmobiles than any other?
A) Alaska
B) California
C) Michigan
D) New York

Previous answer: Nitrogen gas is typically added to bags of potato chips these days, because it has been shown to slow the growth of bacteria that can spoil food.

TRIVIA FANS: Send the trivia questions you've always wanted answered, or original TriviaBits ideas of your own, with your full name and hometown, to Stan Newman at StanTrivia@aol.com or on a postcard to P.O. Box 69, Massapequa Park, NY 11762.

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