Good Question: 'Reply All': Boat Steering Wheels, Vikings Uniforms & Tomato Stains

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Barbara from Longville wanted to know: Why is the steering wheel on a boat on right side?

According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the boat operator has to give way to other boats coming across on the right side. Having the steering wheel on the right side gives the boat operator a better view, just as a car steering wheel on the left side gives a driver a better view of oncoming traffic.

Martha from Grantsburg and Mike from Minneapolis wondered: Why don't the new Vikings uniforms and jerseys appear to match?

Vikings spokesman Jeff Anderson says the purple of the helmet does match the purple of the jersey, but one is a hard surface and the other is a fabric. Anderson says the matte finish plays differently on where the light hits it. He also says some of the color distortion comes from high-definition televisions.

Stephanie from Brooklyn Park wanted to know: Why does spaghetti sauce stain Tupperware?

Tomato sauce makers have known this for a long time now, which is why sold tomato sauce in glass jars. Tomatoes contain lycopene, a pigment that works as an antioxidant and gives tomatoes its red color.

Lycopene also diffuses into porous things, like plastic, which is why people can usually get the stain out of aprons, but not Tupperware.