The history of humanity is filled with incredible lies that, over time, became widely accepted truths. The way these falsehoods have endured reveals our tendency to believe simple answers and the power of public communication.
The Earth is Flat
One of the most famous historical myths is that people once believed the Earth was flat. Ironically, the idea of a flat Earth is more popular today than ever, thanks to the internet and conspiracy theories. However, ancient Greeks already knew the Earth was round. As early as the third century BC, Eratosthenes measured the planet’s circumference with astonishing accuracy.
Some things never change. Few things demonstrate the power of misinformation like modern "flat-earthers," who use GPS and satellites (ironically, technologies based on a spherical Earth) to prove their claim.
Napoleon Was Short
French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was of average height for his time, yet British propaganda portrayed him as a "tiny tyrant" to diminish his power. His recorded height of 5 feet 2 inches was actually in the French measurement system, which translates to about 169 cm.
Today, political marketing uses similar tricks to create caricatures of opponents—except now, instead of physical attributes, the focus is on personal scandals and blunders.
The Middle Ages: a Dark Age of Ignorance
The Middle Ages are often described as a period of cultural and scientific darkness. While it had its challenges, this era gave us universities, Gothic cathedrals, and the first steps toward the scientific method.
Today, corporate PR campaigns often use phrases like "before us, everything was chaos" to present their products or services as the only salvation.
People Only Use 10% of Their Brains
This myth likely stems from a misinterpretation of early 20th-century research. Neuroscience has since proven that you use all parts of your brain—just not necessarily at the same time. Yet, the myth persists because it sounds simple and inspiring.
Marketing campaigns still sell products that claim to "unlock your brain’s full potential," exploiting this old falsehood.
The Great Wall of China is Visible From Space
The Great Wall of China is an impressive engineering feat, but it is not visible from space with the naked eye. Richard Halliburton first popularized this claim in his 1938 book, though it was quickly debunked.
Clickbait headlines still successfully push "facts" based on legends because the truth is often not sensational enough.
Blood is Blue Until Exposed to Air
The myth of blue blood comes from the way veins appear beneath the skin. Blood is always red, though its shade depends on the level of oxygen it carries.
Like this myth, many companies use "technical details" to mislead consumers—touting "revolutionary" technologies that are just repackaged old ideas.
alchemy: turning lead into gold
For centuries, alchemy was considered a legitimate science. Today, we know it was a mix of mysticism and early chemistry. While turning lead into gold is impossible, alchemy laid the foundation for modern chemistry.
Startups often promise "revolutionary" products that will change the world, though most of these ideas never materialize.
Einstein Failed Math
A favourite story among motivational speakers is that Albert Einstein failed math. In reality, he excelled at it from a young age.
Social media motivational posts often "creatively" interpret historical facts to generate likes and shares.
Vikings Wore horned helmets
The popular image of Vikings wearing horned helmets comes from the 19th century when opera costume designers added horns for dramatic effect. Real Vikings never wore such helmets.
Today’s fashion trends often create a false sense of authenticity, much like designers once romanticized historical figures.
Modern Public Communication: Learning From History
If history has taught us anything, it’s that public communication has always been more influenced by emotions than facts. In today’s era of the internet and social media, myths spread faster than ever. Algorithms reward sensationalism, and audiences often lack the time (or willingness) to fact-check.
Perhaps we should learn a lesson from history: believing in the incredible isn’t necessarily a problem, but ignoring the truth is.
Until then? At least we can laugh at how we once believed in Viking horns and blue blood.
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