Throughout history, countless inventions have shaped the way we live today. Yet, many of the stories behind these innovations are clouded by myths and misconceptions. Some ideas we take for granted have origins that are far less straightforward than we think. In fact, some of the most well-known inventions weren’t quite as revolutionary as they’re made out to be. Let’s explore 20 myths about the history of inventions that are still widely believed
Thomas Edison Invented the Light Bulb
While Thomas Edison is often credited with inventing the light bulb, he didn’t actually invent the concept. Many inventors, like Humphry Davy, Warren de la Rue, and Joseph Swan, were experimenting with electric light before Edison. Edison’s major contribution was creating the first practical and commercially successful incandescent bulb by improving the filament and creating a vacuum inside the bulb. He also developed a system for electrical power distribution that made it possible to use light bulbs on a large scale. So, Edison’s true innovation was turning a concept into a usable, everyday item.
The Wright Brothers Were the First to Fly
The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, are famous for making the first powered flight, but they were not the first people to fly. Before them, there were numerous attempts at flight, including gliders, balloons, and even steam-powered flying machines. What set the Wright brothers apart was their development of control systems that allowed for sustained, controlled flight, not just a brief lift-off. Others, like Samuel Langley, had flying machines that achieved short flights, but lacked the necessary control mechanisms. Their achievement was critical because it demonstrated that flight could be achieved with control, not just speed.
Christopher Columbus Discovered America
Christopher Columbus did not “discover” America. When he arrived in the Caribbean in 1492, indigenous peoples had been living on the continents for thousands of years. Moreover, the Vikings, led by Leif Erikson, had reached North America around 500 years before Columbus. Columbus’s voyages, however, were significant because they opened up the Americas to European exploration and colonization. His arrival marked the beginning of sustained European interaction with the Western Hemisphere.
Albert Einstein Developed the Theory of Relativity
Albert Einstein did indeed revolutionize our understanding of space, time, and gravity with his theory of relativity. However, he did not come up with this idea in a vacuum. His work was built upon the foundations laid by earlier scientists, including Isaac Newton, who had already developed the laws of motion and gravity. Additionally, Einstein’s theory of special relativity in 1905 was only one part of his contribution; he also later developed the theory of general relativity, which explained gravity in terms of spacetime curvature. Einstein’s genius was in conceptualizing and proving these radical ideas mathematically.
The Telephone Was Invented by Alexander Graham Bell
While Alexander Graham Bell is credited with inventing the telephone, he was not the only one working on this technology. Elisha Gray, another inventor, filed a patent for a similar device on the same day as Bell, sparking a legal battle that ended with Bell’s victory. The idea of transmitting sound electrically had been explored by various inventors before Bell, but he is remembered for being the first to successfully make the voice transmission technology work. Bell’s focus was on voice communication, while others like Antonio Meucci had laid the groundwork for the concept of voice telecommunication years before. Bell’s achievement was combining existing ideas with technological advancements to create the first viable telephone.
The Steam Engine Was Invented by James Watt
James Watt improved the steam engine significantly, but he did not invent it. The first practical steam engine was created by Thomas Newcomen in the early 18th century, primarily for pumping water out of mines. Watt’s genius lay in making the steam engine much more efficient by adding a separate condenser. His innovations paved the way for the Industrial Revolution by making steam engines more versatile, allowing them to power factories, trains, and ships. So, while Watt didn’t invent the steam engine, his improvements made it an indispensable tool for modern industry.
The Printing Press Was Invented by Johannes Gutenberg
While Johannes Gutenberg is often credited with inventing the printing press in the 15th century, he was not the first to use movable type. Movable type had been used in China and Korea centuries before Gutenberg. What Gutenberg did was perfect the technology and adapt it to the European context, combining it with his innovative oil-based ink and a mechanical press to mass-produce books. Gutenberg’s press made it possible to quickly and efficiently produce books, dramatically reducing the cost of printing. This innovation revolutionized communication and played a key role in the spread of ideas during the Renaissance.
The First Computer Was Built by Charles Babbag
Charles Babbage is often called the “father of the computer” for designing the Analytical Engine, a mechanical device that laid the groundwork for modern computers. However, the first actual computers were electronic, and they came much later in the 20th century. Babbage’s machine was theoretical and never built in his lifetime, though it was revolutionary for its time. Babbage’s machine was mechanical and designed for mathematical calculations, but the first functional computers, like the ENIAC and UNIVAC, were electronic and digital. So, Babbage’s design was important for the history of computing, but the actual first computers were built decades later.
The First Radio Transmission Was Done by Guglielmo Marconi
Guglielmo Marconi is credited with inventing the radio, but he was building on work done by many others. The German physicist Heinrich Hertz was the first to demonstrate the existence of electromagnetic waves, which laid the foundation for wireless communication. Marconi’s breakthrough was in making wireless communication practical for long distances. He was the first to send and receive radio signals over a significant distance in 1895, but his success was due in part to the work of Nikola Tesla, who developed the theories that Marconi relied upon. Marconi is credited with the invention of the radio primarily because of his pioneering practical applications.
Napoleon Was Short
It is a common myth that Napoleon Bonaparte was very short. In fact, he was about 5’7″, which was average for a Frenchman of his time. The myth likely started due to confusion over different measurement systems, as his height was recorded in French feet, which were longer than the English foot. Additionally, many portraits and caricatures of Napoleon exaggerated his height to reinforce the image of him as a small, overly ambitious ruler. This misconception persisted because it was popularized by English political cartoons during and after his reign.
Vikings Wore Horned Helmets
The image of Vikings wearing horned helmets is largely a creation of 19th-century art and opera. There is no evidence that Vikings actually wore helmets with horns. Archaeological finds of Viking helmets show they were simple, rounded, and often made from iron. The horned helmet image likely emerged from artistic depictions in the 1800s, influenced by romanticized portrayals of Viking culture. The idea has persisted because it is visually striking, but historically, it’s a complete fabrication.
Marie Curie Died from Radiation Exposure
Marie Curie, the pioneering scientist known for her work with radioactivity, did indeed suffer health problems that were likely related to her exposure to radiation. However, she did not die directly from radiation poisoning. Curie died of aplastic anemia in 1934, which was likely caused by her prolonged exposure to radiation, but the connection was not fully understood during her time. Modern scientists now know that radiation can cause long-term health issues, but at the time, Curie and her colleagues did not have the safety precautions we have today. Her groundbreaking work on radioactivity earned her two Nobel Prizes, but her death was not a direct result of her discoveries.
Benjamin Franklin Invented the Lightning Rod
Benjamin Franklin did not invent the lightning rod, but he is credited with popularizing the concept. The idea of protecting buildings from lightning existed before Franklin’s time, but his experiments with electricity in the 18th century demonstrated that lightning was a form of electrical discharge. Franklin’s key contribution was in designing a practical, effective lightning rod, which could safely direct electricity into the ground. His work helped reduce the damage caused by lightning strikes, but the principle of using metal conductors to prevent damage had been understood in different forms long before. Franklin’s experiments laid the groundwork for modern electrical theory and safety.
The Great Wall of China Is Visible from Space
The myth that the Great Wall of China is visible from space is widely circulated, but it’s not true. Although the Wall is long, it is very narrow, and its color blends in with the natural landscape. Astronauts have reported that they cannot easily see the Great Wall from space without aid, and even then, it’s difficult to distinguish from the surrounding terrain. The myth likely arose from the Wall’s iconic status and the assumption that something so large must be visible from space. In reality, astronauts can often see man-made structures like cities or airports, but not the Wall itself.
The Eiffel Tower Was Meant to Be Temporary
Many people believe the Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World’s Fair and was supposed to be torn down afterward, but that’s a misconception. The Eiffel Tower was designed as a permanent structure from the beginning. Its purpose was to showcase France’s technological and engineering prowess and it was meant to be an enduring symbol of the 1889 exposition. While it was initially met with resistance from some artists and intellectuals, who thought it would ruin Paris’s skyline, the tower proved to be both functional and iconic. Today, it’s one of the most recognized landmarks in the world.
The Mona Lisa’s Smile Is Mysterious
The idea that the Mona Lisa’s smile is mysteriously enigmatic is more of a modern interpretation than a historical fact. While the painting’s subject does appear to have a subtle, ambiguous smile, it’s not a riddle waiting to be solved. Leonardo da Vinci used a technique called sfumato, blending colors and tones to create a soft, lifelike expression. The mystery of the smile comes from how people interpret it, and it has been romanticized over time. Historically, the painting was not viewed as having an especially mysterious expression but has gained this reputation because of the way it captures human emotion.
Ancient Egyptians Built the Pyramids as Tombs for Pharaohs
The Egyptian pyramids, especially the Great Pyramid of Giza, are often thought of as grand tombs for pharaohs, but their purpose is debated among historians and archaeologists. While many pharaohs were indeed buried in pyramids, these structures also served religious and symbolic functions, representing the pharaoh’s journey to the afterlife and their divine status. The pyramids were intended to ensure that the pharaoh’s soul would have a place to rest and be protected for eternity, with the pyramid acting as a portal to the gods. Additionally, the construction of these immense structures demonstrated the power and organizational capacity of ancient Egypt. The myth of the pyramids as mere tombs oversimplifies their cultural and religious significance.
Isaac Newton Discovered Gravity After an Apple Fell
The story of Isaac Newton discovering gravity when an apple fell on his head is a charming legend, but it’s not entirely accurate. Newton’s work on gravity was the result of years of observation, mathematical formulation, and experimentation. The apple story is likely an embellishment, meant to convey the idea that a simple event led to a groundbreaking realization. Newton’s law of universal gravitation came about as he noticed that the force that made the apple fall to the ground was the same force that kept the moon in orbit around the Earth. His genius was in formulating this law and explaining gravity mathematically, not in a sudden revelation.
Cleopatra Was Egyptian
Despite being one of ancient Egypt’s most famous rulers, Cleopatra was not Egyptian. She belonged to the Ptolemaic dynasty, which was of Greek origin, and her family had ruled Egypt since Alexander the Great’s general, Ptolemy I, took control in the 4th century BCE. Cleopatra was born in Alexandria, and she was a descendant of Greek-speaking Macedonian royalty. She did, however, embrace Egyptian customs, language, and religion, which helped her connect with the Egyptian people. Cleopatra’s leadership and political savvy made her one of Egypt’s most influential rulers, but her heritage was Greek, not Egyptian.
The Body Washed Ashore in the Titanic Disaster Was That of a Woman
One of the more tragic myths surrounding the Titanic disaster is the idea that a woman’s body was recovered from the sea. In reality, the Titanic’s victims were mostly men, due to the prevailing gender biases of the time, which prioritized women and children in lifeboats. The majority of the bodies recovered were men, and many of the bodies recovered from the water were unidentifiable. There was no single notable “woman’s body” that was recovered; however, the myth grew as sensational stories about the disaster spread in the press. The reality of the disaster was far more complex and devastating than what’s typically portrayed in popular myths.
This article originally appeared on UnifyCosmos.
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