Know It All

Yogi Bear debuted in 1958 as a supporting character on “The Huckleberry Hound Show.”

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Cartoon character Yogi Bear lives in Jellystone Park. His favorite thing to do is steal picnic baskets with his friend Boo Boo. Park Ranger Smith usually foils the plans of the bear that claims to be “smarter than the average bear.”

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Yogi Bear was named after baseball legend Yogi Berra (born 1925) and was modeled after the character of Ed Norton on “The Honeymooners” (1955-1956).

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While waiting for his turn at bat during his days of playing professional baseball, Lawrence Peter Berra would sit on the ground cross-legged in a yoga position. He reminded his friends and teammates of a Hindu holy man so they called him by the nickname Yogi.

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Yogi Berra played in 14 World Series, more World Series games than any other baseball player.

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The New York Mets were coached and managed by Yogi Berra from 1965 to 1975. From 1976 to 1985, he coached and managed the New York Yankees.

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Many team names were considered for the new professional baseball team formed in New York in 1962. Some of the favorite names were the New York Bees, Burros, Continentals and Skyscrapers. Ultimately, the team owners named their team the New York Metropolitans.

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Every year, actress Glenn Close (born 1947) sings the National Anthem for the New York Mets’ opening-day game.

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Glenn Close played villainous dognapper Cruella De Vil in the live action movie “101 Dalmatians” (1996). De Vil steals puppies for their fur.

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The name Cruella De Vil derives from the words cruel and devil.

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English novelist Dorothy Gladys “Dodie” Smith (1896-1990) wrote the 1956 novel “The Hundred and One Dalmatians.” Five years later, Disney made the animated movie based on the book.

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Dalmatian puppies are born completely white. Their black spots develop as they mature.

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Fire trucks and Dalmatians go together. That’s because more than other breeds of dogs, Dalmatians have a strong bond with horses. Stagecoach drivers used to have a Dalmatian travel with them to warn against horse thieves. Fire trucks used to be pulled by horses, and each group of firemen kept a Dalmatian for the same reason.

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Do you know what the difference is between a fire truck and a fire engine? See answer at end.

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The fire hydrant was invented in 1869 by New York native Birdsill Holly (1820-1893). Holly developed a system of pressurized water, powered by steam engines, in underground pipes throughout the city, accessible for emergencies by a fire hydrant. The same basic system is used today.

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California Vehicle Code 22514 states that “no person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.”

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Answer: A fire engine has an onboard water supply, while a fire truck does not. A fire truck, also known as a ladder truck, is equipped with a longer ladder than a fire engine.

Know It All is by Kerry McArdle. It runs in the weekend edition of the Daily Journal. Questions? Comments? Email knowitall(at)smdailyjournal.com or call 344-5200 ext. 128.