Let’s embark on a thrilling journey through time to uncover ten mind-boggling history facts that prove truth is often stranger than fiction.
History, with its rich tapestry of events and characters, never fails to amaze with its peculiar twists and turns.
1. Shared Poop Stick
In ancient Rome, the city’s sewer system was so advanced that it had public toilets with running water. People used a shared sponge on a stick, called a “gompf stick,” to clean themselves, which was then rinsed in a communal basin.
2. Dancing Mania
During the Middle Ages, in what is now modern-day Germany, there was a bizarre phenomenon known as “Dancing Mania.” People would suddenly start dancing uncontrollably in large groups, sometimes for days or even weeks, believing they were possessed by a supernatural force.
3. Swallowing Live Goldfish
In the early 20th century, a strange competition called “The Goldfish Swallowing Craze” became popular. People would compete to see who could swallow the most live goldfish. This bizarre trend eventually led to the creation of laws prohibiting animal cruelty.
4. The Great Emu War
The Great Emu War took place in Australia in 1932. The Australian government declared war on emus, as the birds were causing widespread destruction to farms. However, the emus proved to be elusive and outsmarted the soldiers, resulting in a comical defeat for the humans.
5. Post-mortem Photography
During the Victorian era, there was a macabre practice known as “post-mortem photography.” Families would take photographs with their deceased loved ones, posing them as if they were alive. It was believed to be a way to remember the deceased and preserve their memory.
6. Voynich Manuscript
The Voynich Manuscript is an enigmatic book from the 15th century that has puzzled researchers for years. It is written in an unknown language and contains bizarre illustrations of unknown plants, astronomical charts, and mysterious diagrams. To this day, its true meaning remains a mystery.
7. Phrenology
In the late 19th century, a fad called “phrenology” emerged. It involved studying the bumps and contours of a person’s skull to determine their character and personality traits. However, it was later discredited as a pseudoscience with no scientific basis.
8. Uncontrollable Laughing
The Tanganyika laughter epidemic occurred in 1962 when three girls started laughing uncontrollably in a boarding school in Tanzania. The laughter quickly spread throughout the school, eventually affecting around 100 students. The school had to be shut down temporarily due to the disruption caused by the epidemic.
9. Devil’s Bible
The Codex Gigas, also known as the “Devil’s Bible,” is the largest medieval manuscript in existence. It weighs around 165 pounds (75 kilograms) and contains a variety of texts, including the entire Latin Bible, along with several unusual illustrations and a large, ominous image of the Devil.
10. Until After Marriage
In 1903, the Wright brothers successfully achieved the first powered flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. However, they had to keep the achievement a secret for a while due to a peculiar agreement they made with their mechanic, Charlie Taylor, who wanted to get married before the news broke. The world-changing event was kept under wraps until December 17, 1903, when the official announcement was made.
