If you thought 2016 was a weird year, you might think again after reading these bizarre historical facts...
YOU COULDN'T MAKE IT UP King Tutankhamen’s parents were SIBLINGS, 7UP contained lithium… and 10 more bonkers historical facts that sound fake but are true
How barmy is your historical knowledge?
WTF
By Sophie Roberts
15th December 2016
IF you thought 2016 was a weird year, you might think again after reading these bizarre historical facts.
From using semen as invisible ink to making dentures out of REAL teeth, here are 12 of the oddest historical facts of all time…
1. 7up contained lithium
The popular fizzy drink used to contain a mood-changing drug
The popular fizzy drink was once given the catchy name Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda… because it contained lithium citrate.
From 1929-1950, the drug was used in the product as it was believed to have mood-stabilising qualities.
2. Beards were banned at Disney
Facial hair was strictly forbidden in Disney parks until 1970, and employees had to be clean shaven until 2012.
Those with shaggy hair, moustaches or beards couldn’t enter the parks – even though Walt had a moustache himself!
3. Dentures were made from REAL teeth
Putting dentures in your mouth during the 17th Century wouldn’t have been the most pleasant experience
Before dentures were made from artificial material, people’s teeth were reused as prosthetic.
In the 17th century, the gnashers would be pulled from the mouths of the dead, mainly those who had lost their lives in war.
4. Albert Einstein could’ve been president
This would have been a very different career change if it went ahead
The physicist was offered the political position in Israel, but he refused it.
Einstein didn’t take up the role of president because he believed he didn’t have the interpersonal skills needed.
5. Mary was REALLY popular
In 1811, almost a quarter of all Brit women were called Mary.
Other popular names for girls included Elizabeth, Iris and Olivia, the latter still being one of the most popular UK girl’s names today.
6. King Tutankhamen’s parents were brother and sister
Experts believe that genetic complications from his parentage were behind King Tut’s early death
Scientists carried out a DNA test on the remains of the Egyptian Pharaoh and they discovered his parents were brother and sister.
Some experts even believe he died of sickle cell disease, a condition that is common among children of incestuous relationships.
7. NASA taped over the moon landing
If there weren’t enough theories about the moon landings already…
In 2006, the space agency revealed that they had lost the original tapes of the moon landing, as they’d been taped over.
The snaps were among more than 700 boxes of magnetic data tapes that were shot during the Apollo 11 program.
8. Henry II kept a POLAR BEAR in the Tower of London
The 13th Century Holy Roman Emperor turned the capital’s landmark into an early zoo.
Not only did it have three leopards, but there was a polar bear that would be let out into the Thames to fish for food and wash itself.
9. Spies used SEMEN as invisible ink
This WWI secret isn’t often taught in school history lessons
In World War One, soldiers that didn’t want their messages to be read may have used semen to keep their letters top secret.
A diary entry from a senior member of MI6 revealed that the bodily fluid could be put to paper without being easily detected.
10. Al Capone set up one of the first soup kitchens
When you think of Al Capone, philanthropy probably isn’t the first thing that springs to mind.
But the notorious gangster channelled some of his crime money to help the community in Chicago, as a portion went to churches and soup kitchens during the Great Depression.
11. Margaret Thatcher helped to invent Mr Whippy ice cream
The Iron Lady had a softer side… and it was all because of ice cream
The classic 99 cone actually has links to the former Prime Minister.
In July 1983, New Scientist reported that, as a research chemist, Thatcher had worked with scientists in “developing emulsifiers for ice creams for Joe Lyons from 1949-51″.
12. Painting was an Olympic event
From 1912-1948, art competitions were a prominent part of the Olympic Games.
In the London Olympics of 1948, medals were awarded in architecture, literature, music, painting and sculpture.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/2410875/bonkers-historical-facts/
YOU COULDN'T MAKE IT UP King Tutankhamen’s parents were SIBLINGS, 7UP contained lithium… and 10 more bonkers historical facts that sound fake but are true
How barmy is your historical knowledge?
WTF
By Sophie Roberts
15th December 2016
IF you thought 2016 was a weird year, you might think again after reading these bizarre historical facts.
From using semen as invisible ink to making dentures out of REAL teeth, here are 12 of the oddest historical facts of all time…
1. 7up contained lithium
The popular fizzy drink used to contain a mood-changing drug
The popular fizzy drink was once given the catchy name Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda… because it contained lithium citrate.
From 1929-1950, the drug was used in the product as it was believed to have mood-stabilising qualities.
2. Beards were banned at Disney
Facial hair was strictly forbidden in Disney parks until 1970, and employees had to be clean shaven until 2012.
Those with shaggy hair, moustaches or beards couldn’t enter the parks – even though Walt had a moustache himself!
3. Dentures were made from REAL teeth
Putting dentures in your mouth during the 17th Century wouldn’t have been the most pleasant experienceBefore dentures were made from artificial material, people’s teeth were reused as prosthetic.
In the 17th century, the gnashers would be pulled from the mouths of the dead, mainly those who had lost their lives in war.
4. Albert Einstein could’ve been president
This would have been a very different career change if it went ahead
The physicist was offered the political position in Israel, but he refused it.
Einstein didn’t take up the role of president because he believed he didn’t have the interpersonal skills needed.
5. Mary was REALLY popular
In 1811, almost a quarter of all Brit women were called Mary.
Other popular names for girls included Elizabeth, Iris and Olivia, the latter still being one of the most popular UK girl’s names today.
6. King Tutankhamen’s parents were brother and sister
Experts believe that genetic complications from his parentage were behind King Tut’s early death
Scientists carried out a DNA test on the remains of the Egyptian Pharaoh and they discovered his parents were brother and sister.
Some experts even believe he died of sickle cell disease, a condition that is common among children of incestuous relationships.
7. NASA taped over the moon landing
If there weren’t enough theories about the moon landings already… In 2006, the space agency revealed that they had lost the original tapes of the moon landing, as they’d been taped over.
The snaps were among more than 700 boxes of magnetic data tapes that were shot during the Apollo 11 program.
8. Henry II kept a POLAR BEAR in the Tower of London
The 13th Century Holy Roman Emperor turned the capital’s landmark into an early zoo.
Not only did it have three leopards, but there was a polar bear that would be let out into the Thames to fish for food and wash itself.
9. Spies used SEMEN as invisible ink
This WWI secret isn’t often taught in school history lessonsIn World War One, soldiers that didn’t want their messages to be read may have used semen to keep their letters top secret.
A diary entry from a senior member of MI6 revealed that the bodily fluid could be put to paper without being easily detected.
10. Al Capone set up one of the first soup kitchens
When you think of Al Capone, philanthropy probably isn’t the first thing that springs to mind.
But the notorious gangster channelled some of his crime money to help the community in Chicago, as a portion went to churches and soup kitchens during the Great Depression.
11. Margaret Thatcher helped to invent Mr Whippy ice cream
The Iron Lady had a softer side… and it was all because of ice cream
The classic 99 cone actually has links to the former Prime Minister.
In July 1983, New Scientist reported that, as a research chemist, Thatcher had worked with scientists in “developing emulsifiers for ice creams for Joe Lyons from 1949-51″.
12. Painting was an Olympic event
From 1912-1948, art competitions were a prominent part of the Olympic Games.
In the London Olympics of 1948, medals were awarded in architecture, literature, music, painting and sculpture.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/2410875/bonkers-historical-facts/
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