Good Questions: Camouflage Uniforms, Steering Wheels, License Plates
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Every Friday, we tackle a bunch of viewers' burning questions. This week, Heather Brown explores the Twins' camouflage jerseys, boats' steering wheels and license plate replacements.
Andrew from Buffalo wants to know why are steering wheels for boats on the right side?
There are a couple of different theories on this one. First, there's the right-of-way theory about having a better lookout on the starboard side.
Another theory: A boat naturally pulls to the left because of the way the propeller is spinning. Sitting on the right helps balance that out.
And, a third theory: Before the rudder became commonplace, boats were steered by a special oar and because most people were right-handed, the oars were on the right-hand side.
Gladys and Beryl from Westbrook noticed that on the Memorial Day Twins uniforms you can see camouflage in the letters. So, they asked: What happens to the Twins clothing that can only be worn once?
The Twins sell them.
"Anything that we sell on Memorial Day is going back to Welcome Back Veterans," Venika Streeter with the Minnesota Twins said. "It's an organization that provides money to different hospitals around the country to help veterans who are coming back from overseas who are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder."
Kurt Suzuki's jersey goes for $425. Bigger names go online to be auctioned.
" A Joe Mauer jersey typically sells for about $2,500," Streeter said.
And Bev from Plymouth wants to know: Why do we have to replace our license plates every seven years?
Well, it's the law.
Minnesota license plates have to be readable from 110 feet and visible from 1,500 feet at night by headlights.
The reflective materials in the plate degrade over time and our weather doesn't do us any favors in this department.
It's also a way to catch people who haven't been paying their tabs.