Cars and Ships

This puzzler was sent in to us a long, long time ago from a very loyal listener.

Here it is, word for word.

Years ago, cars commonly had something that almost all sea-going ships still have. On both the cars and the ships, this thing runs from forward, aft on the port side and aft, forward on the starboard side.

For people who don't know sailing terminology, that means front to back on the left and back to front on the right.

This is something that was on both cars and ships in plain sight.

Hint! Ships still have it, but most cars do not have it now.

What was it?

Good luck.

Answer the Puzzler »

Remember last week's puzzler?

VW Bug Hero

This one is an oldie, but a goodie, as they say.

Here we go.

There was a very steep hill, and no one could drive this one particular old VW bug up the hill.

One of the problems was that the crowds lined the route up the hill, and everyone who attempted the climb had to skillfully avoid accidentally flattening a spectator, as the crowd was so large.

People tried everything. They tried running starts and they would get part of the way up. But the bug couldn't make it the whole way. The car just didn't have enough power.

Ultimately, a hero emerged. Everyone else was afraid of running over spectators, but not him. He knew he couldn't concentrate on the task at hand if he spent time looking through the windshield, so he didn't. So he got in the car, pointed it up the hill, and not looking through the windshield, gave it all the gas he could. He drove believing that he would make it to the top and not flatten anyone.

The car redlined as he approached the hill, the engine screamed in agony. He floored it as the car started to climb higher and higher. He kept his foot on the gas and trusted that he'd make it. He used all his concentration.

Finally, he made it over the top. He succeeded. The crowd surged around the bug, and as his concentration waned, he glanced through the windshield and saw that all was well.

What was the secret to his success?