Let’s set the record straight by uncovering the truth behind 21 things you’ve always thought were true, but are actually just popular myths.
#1. The Great Wall of China Is Visible From Space
Contrary to popular belief, the Great Wall is not visible from space with the naked eye.
#2. We Only Use 10% of Our Brains
Modern neuroscience has debunked this myth; we use virtually all parts of our brain.
#3. Vikings Wore Horned Helmets
There’s no historical evidence to suggest Vikings wore helmets adorned with horns.
#4. Sugar Makes Children Hyperactive
Research has shown no direct link between sugar consumption and hyperactivity in children.
#5. Goldfish Have a 3-Second Memory
Studies have demonstrated that goldfish can remember things for months.
#6. Napoleon Bonaparte Was Short
Napoleon was actually of average height for his time; the misconception arises from the difference between French and British measuring units.
#7. Bats Are Blind
Bats can see; they also use echolocation to navigate in the dark.
#8. Humans and Dinosaurs Coexisted
Dinosaurs became extinct about 65 million years before humans appeared.
#9. You Can See the Great Wall of China From the Moon
Even from low Earth orbit, it is barely visible, and certainly not from the moon.
#10. Shaving Hair Makes It Grow Back Thicker and Darker
Hair regrowth after shaving appears thicker because of the blunt tip, not because shaving changes its thickness or rate of growth.
#11. Touching Baby Birds Causes Their Mothers to Reject Them
Birds have a limited sense of smell and are unlikely to abandon their young due to human scent.
#12. Cracking Your Knuckles Leads to Arthritis
Studies have found no direct correlation between knuckle cracking and the development of arthritis.
#13. Swallowed Gum Takes Seven Years to Digest
Swallowed gum passes through the digestive system relatively intact and is excreted.
#14. Einstein Failed Mathematics as a Student
Albert Einstein excelled in math from a young age.
#15. Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice
Johannes Plenio
Lightning can and does strike the same place repeatedly, especially if it’s a tall, isolated object.
#16. Ostriches Bury Their Heads in the Sand When Scared
Ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand; this is a myth.
#17. You Need to Wait 24 Hours Before Reporting a Missing Person
You can report someone as missing to the police at any time; there’s no need to wait 24 hours.
#18. A Penny Dropped From the Empire State Building Could Kill Someone
Due to air resistance, a penny would not gather enough speed to be lethal.
#19. Chameleons Change Color to Blend Into Their Surroundings
While chameleons do change colour, it’s more often in response to temperature, light, and mood, rather than to camouflage.
#20. Toilet Water Spins in Opposite Directions in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres Due to the Coriolis Effect
The Coriolis effect does not affect small bodies of water like toilet flushing; it’s the design of the toilet and the water jets that determine the direction.
#21. Coffee Is Made From Beans
Coffee is actually made from the seeds of the coffee fruit, not beans.
The post Unveiling the Truth: 21 Common ‘Facts’ Proven False first appeared on LoveLists.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Budimir Jevtic.
For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.