Pre-Google: deze grappige vragen kreeg de bibliotheek van New York

Gaat een gifslang dood als hij zichzelf bijt? Wat wilt het zeggen als ik in mijn droom achtervolgd word door een olifant? Dankzij Google ben je uren zoet met het zoeken van antwoorden op je meest bizarre vragen. Maar hoe moest dat in het pre-internet-tijdperk?

931abcb2-33db-400f-8959-e6f2e07518fb-bestSizeAvailable

door

Liesbeth

Gepubliceerd op 21 Oktober 2015 om 06h00Leestijd 2 min.

Ook lang voordat het internet bestond, hadden mensen de onnozelste vragen. Het antwoord gingen ze vaak zoeken in de bibliotheek. Bibliothecarissen dienden op hun beurt als zoekmachine.

Recent vond de New York Public Library een doos terug met vragen die gesteld werden tussen 1940 en 1980. De NYPL selecteerde de meest opvallende en plaatste ze op hun Instagramaccount.

Something to ponder if you go apple picking this weekend: "What kind of an apple did Eve eat?" - Telephone request NB 9.28.56 ???#letmelibrarianthatforyou

A photo posted by The New York Public Library (@nypl) on Oct 19, 2015 at 11:52am PDT

"Is there a full moon every night in Acapulco?" Wouldn't that be a lovely sight? ???????? #letmelibrarianthatforyou

A photo posted by The New York Public Library (@nypl) on Oct 12, 2015 at 8:32am PDT

We recommend singing "I Will Survive" to increase lifespan when abandoned. ?? #letmelibrarianthatforyou "Question received over the phone: Any statistics on the lifespan of the abandoned woman? 2/15/63"

A photo posted by The New York Public Library (@nypl) on Oct 5, 2015 at 1:59pm PDT

A new conspiracy theory or a frustrated philosophy student? ? Phoned in on November 24, 1950: "Are Plato, Aristotle and Socrates one and the same person?" #letmelibrarianthatforyou

A photo posted by The New York Public Library (@nypl) on Sep 21, 2015 at 12:32pm PDT

One might say it's a hair-raising question...? #letmelibrarianthatforyou

A photo posted by The New York Public Library (@nypl) on Aug 31, 2015 at 7:21am PDT

Don't we all? ???"A woman wanted 'inspirational material on grass and lawns'" #letmelibrarianthatforyou

A photo posted by The New York Public Library (@nypl) on Aug 17, 2015 at 8:30am PDT

"Is there a book on how to build with popsicle sticks?" ? we'll take a copy during these hot summer months! #letmelibrarianthatforyou

A photo posted by The New York Public Library (@nypl) on Aug 3, 2015 at 12:49pm PDT

???"Why do 18th century English paintings have so many squirrels in them, and how did they tame them so that they wouldn't bite the painter?" #letmelibrarianthatforyou

A photo posted by The New York Public Library (@nypl) on Jul 27, 2015 at 12:56pm PDT

Some questions don't have easy answers: "'What does it mean when you dream you're being chased by an elephant?' 5/27/47" #letmelibrarianthatforyou ??

A photo posted by The New York Public Library (@nypl) on May 18, 2015 at 8:02am PDT

We hope the answer is surprising, whatever it may be: "Query - 'How much did Napoleon's brain weigh?' 1' Oct '45" #letmelibrarianthatforyou ??

A photo posted by The New York Public Library (@nypl) on Jun 1, 2015 at 6:32am PDT