In the 1920s Thomas Edison would give prospective managers a general knowledge test before he would hire them. “The questions covered science, history, literature, current events, math, and even morality.”
The National Park Service has compiled two versions from actual Edison questions — one version of 150 questions (like the original) and another of 30 questions. They’ve made each substantially easier than Edison did by providing multiple-choice answers.
NewMexiKen just missed five of 30 on the shorter version. I thought I was doing well, but by Edison’s standards I failed. Screw it, I didn’t really think the job was a good match anyway.
The tests follow an introduction. This will take you a little while. Click on the “Would Edison Hire You? image on the left side of the page.
Oh yeah, Edison’s home was designated Edison Home National Historic Site on this date 54 years ago today. It was later combined with his laboratory into Edison National Historic Site.
79%–He wouldn’t have hired me, either. Without the multiple choice I would have been hard pressed to get event that high of a score. Although, occasionally I second guessed myself wrong in the presence of multiple choice. Perhaps, without tricky options, I might not have missed some that I did miss–but I still would have tanked it.