Sep 13, 1996
RAY: It was suggested that I use this puzzler, against my judgment, by our esteemed producer Dougie Berman.
TOM: I know which one it is too and I think it's okay.
RAY: Well this was sent to us by Thomas Dobson. I can deduce, I think, from his email address at OHSU - Ohio State University, that is where he is from. I'm just guessing, or it could be Old Honolulu State University. Okay - so here it is without further ado.
TOM: You have all the ado I can muster up.
RAY: Question: what man-made object first broke the sound barrier?
TOM: The real issue is do you give a hint or not. I don't think you should. Was it the plane Chuck Yeager flew?
RAY: No, it was not that, it was prior to that.
TOM: I know the answer.
RAY: What is it?
TOM: The V2 rocket. 1942.
RAY: Long before that--hundreds of years before that - the common whip.
TOM: Sure.
RAY: And the crack you hear is the tip of the whip breaking the sound barrier. I thought it was one of Mom's famous dope slaps. Because sometimes you never know when those are coming, and just like that, faster than the speed of light...
TOM: Yea, 'cos you could never see that hand coming. Then all of a sudden--Boom--to the back of the head.
RAY: Even at her age, 85, she's still able to dish out a dope slap with the best of them.
