Johann Hunt
A few well-known stories from history turned out to be made up. Over time, these fictional tales blended into what people accepted as fact. As a result, generations believed them without question, never realizing the truth was missing. Some stories became part of culture by mistake. Letās expose the myths that shaped what we thought we knew.
Walt Disney Didnāt Create Mickey Mouse Alone
Mickey Mouse wasnāt created by Walt Disney alone. In 1928, the character was designed by Ub Iwerks, who illustrated hundreds of frames to bring him to life. Meanwhile, Disney mainly produced and voiced the cartoon. Eventually, Iwerks left the company for some time, but later returned to the studio he helped build.
Vikings Didnāt Wear Horned Helmets
The horned helmet design came from 19th-century opera stages, not Viking battlefields. Archaeological findings show Viking helmets were built for close combat and practical use. Adding horns would have made them harder to wear and easier to grab during a fight.
Marie Antoinette Is Wrongly Credited With āLet Them Eat Cakeā
Youāve probably heard the phrase āLet them eat cakeā tied to Marie Antoinette. However, it first appeared decades earlier and was attributed to a different French figureāphilosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Later, it was used as propaganda to stir public resentment toward Antoinette during the revolution.
The Salem Witches Werenāt Burned At The Stake
None of the Salem accused were burned at the stake. Instead, every execution involved hanging. One exception, Giles Corey, was pressed to death with stones. Meanwhile, the practice of burning belonged to Europe and never took root in colonial New England. Over time, this detail was distorted by films, books, and popular imagination.
Einstein Never Failed Math
Einsteinās math skills were strong from a young age. He had mastered calculus before turning 15 and later confirmed he never had trouble with math. The story of his failing likely spread because people enjoy rooting for the underdog. If accuracy matters, the myth deserves to be left behind.
No One Jumped From The Empire State Building During Its Opening
Despite how frequently itās repeated, no suicides occurred during the Empire State Buildingās opening in 1931. The first happened years later, in 1935, from the 86th-floor observatory. Urban legends and false reports likely started the myth. When discussing history, always pause to double-check whatās real and whatās just repeated.
Thomas Edison Didnāt Invent The Light Bulb
Credit for inventing the light bulb usually goes to Thomas Edison; however, the story isnāt that simple. Long before his version, inventors like Humphry Davy and Joseph Swan had created early modelsāSwan even held a UK patent. What gave Edison the edge was a longer-lasting filament and a plan to make electric light widely available.
Columbus Never Reached North America
Columbusās journeys never reached the mainland, which is now the United States. He landed in the Caribbean and explored parts of Central and South America. Vikings had already set foot in North America centuries before, and Indigenous peoples were living and thriving across the continent long before any Atlantic crossing happened.
Isaac Newton Didnāt Discover Gravity From A Falling Apple Alone
The falling apple story wasnāt how Newton discovered gravity; it just made the concept easier to explain. In truth, he spent years developing his theory through complex math. That famous tale didnāt appear until long after his death. Also, thereās no record of him ever claiming a sudden āEurekaā moment at all.
Albert Einstein Wasnāt Offered The Presidency Of Israel To Lead The Nation
In 1952, Albert Einstein received an offer to become Israelās ceremonial president, not its political leader. However, he turned it down due to his age and lack of political experience. The role was symbolic and carried no real authority. Despite declining the offer, his support for the Israeli state remained firm throughout his life.