Which came first? · Counterintuitive

Which came first: Beethoven's Ninth (Ode to Joy) or Colgate?

Colgate came first, in 1806 (founded). Beethoven's Ninth (Ode to Joy) followed 18 years later, in 1824 (premiered).

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  1. Second1824

    Beethoven's Ninth (Ode to Joy)

    music · premiered

    At the premiere of his Ninth in 1824, Beethoven was so deaf he had to be turned to see the applause.

    Checked against Wikipedia and Wikidata

  2. First1806

    Colgate

    company · founded

    Colgate began in 1806 as a New York business selling starch, soap and candles.

    Checked against Wikipedia and Wikidata

All which-came-first pairs · About Older Than You Think · Quiz games

Years from Wikidata, each checked against the item’s English Wikipedia article on 2026-10-18. A year stands for what its label says: a founding, a first patent, a premiere.