How to play Which Came First?
Which Came First? is a quick history game about time. Some answers feel obvious until you see the dates. The fax machine is older than the telephone, Oxford was teaching students before the Aztecs founded their capital, and the first traffic light was working in London years before the first gasoline car. Each round mixes inventions, science, empires, books, buildings, sports and everyday things from every part of the world.
Pairs mode
You see two cards. Pick the one that happened first. Click or tap a card, or press 1 or the Left arrow for the left card and 2 or the Right arrow for the right card. After you answer, both cards flip to show their years and what each year marks, and a short fact explains the gap. Press Next or Enter to go on.
A round has 10 pairs and gets harder as you go. The first pairs are far apart in time. The middle pairs are closer. The last pairs are either only a few years apart or chosen because most people guess them wrong.
Timeline mode
You get five cards. Put them in order from oldest at the top to newest at the bottom. On a computer, drag a card by its handle. On a phone, tap the up and down arrows on each card. You can also focus a card with Tab and move it with the arrow keys. Press Check to see how you did. Every card in the right spot scores points, and the correct order appears with all five years. There are five timelines per game, and they get tighter as you go.
Daily challenge and Timer bonus
The Daily challenge is a Pairs round that is the same for everyone on the same day, so you can compare scores with your class. Timer bonus is off by default. Turn it on under Options to add a countdown ring. A right answer still earns its base points, and a fast one earns extra.
Tips
- Read what the year marks. A patent, a first flight and the start of construction are different moments.
- Think in centuries first. Place each card roughly, then compare details.
- Watch for long projects. Cathedrals and canals can take decades, so a building's start date can be surprisingly early.
- Don't trust what feels modern. Many everyday things, from traffic lights to cash machines, are older than they seem.
- Learn from misses. The fact after each answer is the part you will remember.
The game is a good warm-up for history class or debate practice, where knowing the order of events helps you build a clear argument.
Questions
How do I play Which Came First?
In Pairs mode you see two things from history, such as an invention and a building. Tap or click the one that happened first. Each round has 10 pairs. In Timeline mode you put five cards in order from oldest to newest and press Check.
Where do the dates come from?
Every year was checked against a reliable reference, mostly Encyclopaedia Britannica. Each card links to its source after you answer, so you can read more.
What does the year on a card mean?
Many things happen over time, so each card says what its year marks, such as a first flight, a patent, an opening day or the start of construction. Dates before year 1 are shown as BC.
What is the Daily challenge?
The Daily challenge is a Pairs round that is the same for everyone on the same day, based on your local date. Play it once, compare scores with friends, and come back tomorrow for a new set.
What does Timer bonus do?
It is off by default. Turn it on under Options and a ring counts down on each question. You still get the base points for a right answer, plus extra points for answering quickly.
Is my best score saved?
Yes, in this browser on this device. Nothing is uploaded and there is no account. Clearing your browser data or using a private window resets it.