21 Supposed World ‘Facts’ That Sadly Proved False

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

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.

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The post 21 Supposed World ‘Facts’ That Sadly Proved False first appeared on Edge Media.

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Dean Drobot.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.