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Encyclopæedia Britannica, Inc. was originally founded in the United States.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Encyclopæedia Britannica was initially founded in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1768, not in the United States.
William Smellie was responsible for the initial founding and establishment of the Encyclopæedia Britannica.
Answer: False
Explanation: While William Smellie was instrumental in compiling the majority of the articles for the first edition, the Encyclopæedia Britannica was founded by Colin Macfarquhar and Andrew Bell.
Archibald Constable published both the fifth and sixth editions of the Encyclopæedia Britannica.
Answer: True
Explanation: Archibald Constable, an Edinburgh-based publisher, was indeed responsible for publishing the fifth and sixth editions of the Encyclopæedia Britannica.
A & C Black Ltd. acquired the copyrights for the Encyclopæedia Britannica after Archibald Constable's death.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following Archibald Constable's death in 1827, A & C Black Ltd. purchased the copyrights to the encyclopedia at an auction.
The first edition of the Encyclopæedia Britannica was published in the 20th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: The first edition of the Encyclopæedia Britannica was published in the 18th century, specifically in 1768.
Who were the original founders credited with initiating the first edition of the Encyclopæedia Britannica?
Answer: Colin Macfarquhar and Andrew Bell
Explanation: Colin Macfarquhar and Andrew Bell are credited as the founders who initiated the first edition of the Encyclopæedia Britannica in 1768.
In which city and country was the Encyclopæedia Britannica first established?
Answer: Edinburgh, Scotland
Explanation: The Encyclopæedia Britannica was first established in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1768.
Which publisher took over the copyrights of the Encyclopæedia Britannica after Archibald Constable's death in 1827?
Answer: A & C Black Ltd.
Explanation: Following Archibald Constable's death in 1827, A & C Black Ltd. acquired the copyrights for the Encyclopæedia Britannica.
Horace E. Hooper and Walter M. Jackson acquired the copyrights to the Encyclopæedia Britannica in 1901.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 1901, Horace E. Hooper and Walter M. Jackson purchased all copyrights for the Encyclopæedia Britannica from A & C Black Ltd.
Sears Roebuck initially made a significant profit when they first bought Encyclopæedia Britannica outright.
Answer: False
Explanation: Sears bought Britannica outright in 1920 but reported a financial loss of $1.8 million within the first three years of ownership.
Sears Roebuck discontinued door-to-door sales representatives for Britannica in 1932.
Answer: False
Explanation: In 1932, Sears Roebuck restructured Britannica's sales approach by discontinuing retail outlet sales and establishing a network of door-to-door sales representatives and convention booths.
The University of Chicago accepted full management responsibility for Encyclopæedia Britannica, Inc. after Sears gifted it the company.
Answer: False
Explanation: Although Sears gifted Britannica to the University of Chicago in 1941, the university declined full management responsibility, citing an inability to manage the company's operations.
William Benton acquired all of Encyclopæedia Britannica, Inc.'s stock, becoming the sole owner.
Answer: True
Explanation: William Benton initially acquired two-thirds of the company's stock and subsequently purchased the remaining third, thereby becoming the sole owner.
During the Benton family's ownership, Merriam-Webster was acquired before Compton's Encyclopedia.
Answer: False
Explanation: During the Benton family's ownership, Compton's Encyclopedia was acquired in the early 1960s, followed by Merriam-Webster in 1964. Therefore, Compton's was acquired first.
Robert P. Gwinn divided Encyclopæedia Britannica's operations into Britannica USA and Britannica International.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following William Benton's death, Robert P. Gwinn, who succeeded him as publisher and chairman in 1974, divided the company's operations into Britannica USA and Britannica International.
Who acquired the copyrights in 1901 and oversaw the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth editions as editor?
Answer: Hugh Chisholm
Explanation: Horace E. Hooper and Walter M. Jackson acquired the copyrights in 1901, and Hugh Chisholm served as the editor for the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth editions.
What was Sears Roebuck's initial strategy regarding the Encyclopæedia Britannica in 1915?
Answer: They began marketing a more affordable version of the eleventh edition.
Explanation: In 1915, Sears Roebuck agreed to market a more affordable version of the eleventh edition of the Encyclopæedia Britannica, targeting middle-class consumers.
How did Sears Roebuck fare financially during its initial period of outright ownership of Britannica (1920-1923)?
Answer: They reported a financial loss of $1.8 million.
Explanation: During its initial period of outright ownership from 1920 to 1923, Sears Roebuck reported a financial loss of $1.8 million on its investment in Britannica.
What significant change occurred in Britannica's sales strategy in 1932 under Sears Roebuck?
Answer: Door-to-door sales and convention booths replaced retail outlet sales.
Explanation: In 1932, Sears Roebuck shifted Britannica's sales strategy by discontinuing sales through retail outlets and establishing a network of door-to-door sales representatives and convention booths.
Why did the University of Chicago decline to manage Encyclopæedia Britannica after receiving it as a gift in 1941?
Answer: They felt unable to manage the company's operations.
Explanation: The University of Chicago declined to manage Encyclopæedia Britannica after receiving it as a gift in 1941 because they believed they were unable to effectively manage the company's operations.
What action did William Benton take regarding Encyclopæedia Britannica's ownership?
Answer: He acquired two-thirds of the company's stock and later the rest.
Explanation: William Benton acquired two-thirds of Encyclopæedia Britannica's stock and subsequently purchased the remaining third, thereby becoming its sole owner.
Which two other major encyclopedic or dictionary publishers were acquired by Encyclopæedia Britannica during the Benton family's ownership period?
Answer: Merriam-Webster and Compton's Encyclopedia
Explanation: During the Benton family's ownership, Encyclopæedia Britannica acquired Merriam-Webster in 1964 and Compton's Encyclopedia in the early 1960s.
The ninth edition of the Encyclopæedia Britannica was noted for its limited scope and lack of contributions from notable figures.
Answer: False
Explanation: The ninth edition (1875) is recognized for its expanded scope and the inclusion of contributions from prominent scholars and figures in various fields, distinguishing it for its scholarship.
Britannica 3, published in 1974, consisted of a single volume containing all the encyclopedia's content.
Answer: False
Explanation: Britannica 3, published in 1974, was structured into three distinct parts: the Micropædia, the Macropædia, and the Propædia, comprising multiple volumes, not a single volume.
The Britannica Global Edition, released in 2009, contained approximately 40,000 articles.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Britannica Global Edition, published in 2009, comprised 30 volumes and included over 40,000 articles.
The structure of Britannica 3 included a Micropædia, Macropædia, and Propædia.
Answer: True
Explanation: The fifteenth edition, known as Britannica 3, was indeed structured into three main components: the Micropædia, the Macropædia, and the Propædia.
What was a key characteristic of the ninth edition of the Encyclopæedia Britannica?
Answer: It incorporated contributions from prominent scholars and expanded its scope.
Explanation: The ninth edition of the Encyclopæedia Britannica is distinguished by its expanded scope and the inclusion of contributions from prominent scholars across various disciplines, earning recognition for its high level of scholarship.
How was the fifteenth edition, Britannica 3, organized?
Answer: A Micropædia, Macropædia, and a Propædia guide.
Explanation: The fifteenth edition, Britannica 3, was organized into three primary components: the Micropædia, the Macropædia, and the Propædia, which served as a guide to the encyclopedia's use.
What was the primary function of the Propædia within the Britannica 3 structure?
Answer: It was a guide to the use of the encyclopedia.
Explanation: Within the Britannica 3 structure, the Propædia served as a guide intended to facilitate the use and understanding of the encyclopedia's content.
Sales figures for Encyclopæedia Britannica saw a substantial increase in the early 1990s.
Answer: False
Explanation: Sales figures for Encyclopæedia Britannica experienced a significant slump in the early 1990s, leading to a decline rather than an increase.
An investment group led by Jacob E. Safra acquired Encyclopæedia Britannica in 1996.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 1996, an investment group headed by Jacob E. Safra acquired Encyclopæedia Britannica, Inc.
Following the 1999 launch of Britannica.com, the website experienced workforce expansion.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to workforce expansion, the launch of Britannica.com in 1999 was followed by a workforce reduction; approximately 20 percent of the website's staff was laid off a year later.
Encyclopæedia Britannica ceased print editions in 2010, with the final installment being the 2012 edition.
Answer: False
Explanation: Encyclopæedia Britannica ceased its print editions in 2012. The 2010 installment marked the final print version, not 2010 itself being the final print year.
Britannica Insights, released in 2018, is a browser extension designed to complement Google search results.
Answer: True
Explanation: Britannica Insights, introduced in 2018, is a Chrome web browser extension developed to supplement Google's featured snippets.
In 2019, Encyclopæedia Britannica partnered with Binumi to provide schools with access to royalty-free video clips.
Answer: True
Explanation: Through a partnership with Binumi in 2019, Encyclopæedia Britannica launched a video product offering schools access to millions of royalty-free multimedia clips for educational projects.
The decline in print encyclopedia sales in the 1990s led to the expansion of Britannica's sales offices.
Answer: False
Explanation: The decline in print encyclopedia sales during the 1990s necessitated the closure of a significant portion of Britannica's sales offices, rather than an expansion.
The launch of Britannica.com in 1999 made the complete encyclopedia available online.
Answer: True
Explanation: The inauguration of Britannica.com in 1999 marked the availability of the complete Encyclopæedia Britannica online.
What happened to Encyclopæedia Britannica's sales figures and office presence between 1990 and 1994?
Answer: Sales slumped significantly, leading to the closure of many sales offices.
Explanation: Between 1990 and 1994, Encyclopæedia Britannica experienced a significant slump in sales, which resulted in the closure of a substantial number of its sales offices.
Which investment group acquired Encyclopæedia Britannica in 1996?
Answer: An investment group headed by Jacob E. Safra
Explanation: In 1996, Encyclopæedia Britannica was acquired by an investment group led by Jacob E. Safra.
What immediate consequence followed the launch of Britannica.com in 1999?
Answer: The website laid off 20 percent of its workforce a year later.
Explanation: Following the launch of Britannica.com in 1999, the website experienced a workforce reduction, with 20 percent of its staff being laid off approximately one year later.
When did Encyclopæedia Britannica publish its last print edition?
Answer: 2012
Explanation: Encyclopæedia Britannica published its final print edition in 2012.
What is Britannica Insights, introduced in 2018?
Answer: A Chrome web browser extension.
Explanation: Britannica Insights, introduced in 2018, is a Chrome web browser extension designed to enhance the user experience by supplementing search results.
The Britannica Book of the Year, an annual synopsis of world events, began publication in 1938.
Answer: True
Explanation: Britannica commenced the publication of its annual synopsis of world events, the Britannica Book of the Year, in 1938.
The Britannica All New Children's Encyclopedia released in 2020 marked the company's first children's encyclopedia since 1984.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Britannica All New Children's Encyclopedia, released in 2020, was notable as Britannica's first children's encyclopedia since 1984 and marked a return to print format for this specific audience.
Encyclopæedia Britannica acquired ProCon.org in 2020.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 2020, Encyclopæedia Britannica acquired ProCon.org.
Merriam-Webster, a publisher of dictionaries, is owned by Encyclopæedia Britannica, Inc.
Answer: True
Explanation: Encyclopæedia Britannica, Inc. owns Merriam-Webster, a prominent American publisher of dictionaries.
What annual publication did Encyclopæedia Britannica start publishing in 1938?
Answer: Britannica Book of the Year
Explanation: In 1938, Encyclopæedia Britannica commenced the publication of an annual synopsis of world events titled the Britannica Book of the Year.
The Britannica All New Children's Encyclopedia (2020) was notable for being:
Answer: The company's first children's encyclopedia since 1984 and its return to print format for this audience.
Explanation: The Britannica All New Children's Encyclopedia (2020) was significant as it represented the company's first children's encyclopedia since 1984 and marked a return to print for this specific audience.
Which organization did Encyclopæedia Britannica acquire in 2020?
Answer: ProCon.org
Explanation: In 2020, Encyclopæedia Britannica acquired ProCon.org.
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as being owned or acquired by Encyclopæedia Britannica, Inc. according to the source?
Answer: The New York Times
Explanation: The source material mentions the ownership or acquisition of Merriam-Webster, Compton's Encyclopedia, and the Britannica Book of the Year by Encyclopæedia Britannica, Inc., but not The New York Times.
The visual representation of a shipping box is associated with the distribution methods employed for which edition of the Encyclopæedia Britannica?
Answer: The fourteenth edition
Explanation: The image of a shipping box signifies the physical distribution methods used for the fourteenth edition of the Encyclopæedia Britannica.
What is the designated official website address for Encyclopæedia Britannica, Inc.?
Answer: corporate.britannica.com
Explanation: The official website for Encyclopæedia Britannica, Inc. is corporate.britannica.com.