Funny things tend to happen whenever you try to take a close look on some
of history's very interesting, also a little weird, fun facts. You realize that
your basic understanding of several major events and the historical figures
are either totally inaccurate or too narrow.
For example, did you know that Richard Nixon was a brilliant musician? Or
that, in Italy, the officials once deemed that the form was an offensive
utensil before the eyes of God? Sounds strange right? But it’s all true! Here’s
a list of some more for you.
1. Life-Like Positions of Dead Relatives Were Clicked and Kept as
Mementos
As all of us knew, the photography being so new and expensive during those
days, this was often the only time where a person would have had their
picture clicked.
This was in Victorian England, where the people used to click pictures of
their dead relatives in specific life-like position and kept it as mementos.
Photography’s involved mostly of children and infants.
Sometimes, in order to turn the subject into a more “lifelike” appearance,
the eyes would be painted onto the picture.
2. Speaking of Victorian England – Nipple Piercings?
An unexpected fashion trend of the straight laced era included the most
ferocious, Nipple Piercings!
This particular trend was influenced by Queen Isabella of Bavaria, who
fashioned dresses with necklines that went down to the waist, in order to
properly show off her diamond-encrusted piercings.
The Victorians were slightly more subtle about this trend though. The gold
rings were said to be the most popular style among aristocratic women of
the time (just like today).
It was said that the chain helped to make the breasts grow evenly. Even the resourceful Victorian doctors had actually recommended the women to perform nipple piercing in order to make breast feeding easier.
3. Have You Heard of Knocker-Uppers?
For those of you who got terrified of nipple piercing, here’s a good one!
During old times, before the alarm clocks became the norm, people would
literally knock on other people’s window in order to wake them up in time
and such people were called "knocker-uppers".
This trend of alarm was popular in some areas until the 70s. The standard
tool of choice used by knock-uppers include, a long stick, while some also
use soft hammers, rattles, or even pea shooters to reach their clients'
window!
4. You Could Keep Your Pet Bear in Your Dormitory as Well (If That’s
Allowed To!)
Lord Byron has always been looked at as an animal lover, as he has always
loved animals throughout his life and owned a few unusual ones as well.
Byron used to keep a pet bear in his dormitory while studying at Cambridge.
It was also found that, Lord Byron had owned two monkeys, one fox and two
new mastiffs! But sadly, since he wasn’t allowed to bring his favorite pet to
University, that’s when he had decided to bring tame bear in order to live
with him on campus instead.
5. The Current US Flag Was Designed by a 17 Year Old
Well, who said that teenagers aren’t smart? The current US flag was
designed by a 17-year old! Robert G. Heft, had created the design back in 1958 when he was a 17 year old, as a part of a school project when he anticipated Alaska and Hawaii joining the United States.
Yet, he just got a B grade for his assignment (guess all grades don’t define
you)! And at that time, the teacher had asked him “Why you got so many
stars? You don’t even know how many States we have”.
In the end, he wrote the White House 21 times until eventually the
President, Eisenhower, who gave him a phone call and informed him that his
design would be made official! (Hence, do take your school assignments
seriously guys).
6. Abraham Lincoln Was a Wrestling Champion
We have always known Abraham Lincoln as a President, but did you know
that before he became the president, he was in fact a champion wrestler?
Here’s an interesting weird fact that you didn’t learn back in school. Abraham Lincoln took part in nearly 300 matches and he had also earned a reputation as a tough fighter being 6 feet, 4 inches tall!
7. Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin Were Nominated for the Nobel Peace
Prize
Fortunately, the nominations of these un-peaceful men didn’t go too far.
But they were nominated because, as per the Nobel Committee's rules, any
professor of social sciences, history, theology, law and philosophy and any
judge or national legislature of any country can nominate someone whom
they believe is deserving.
8. Women Were Once Made to Wear Muzzles
The early 17th century in United Kingdom, had witnessed many incidents of
women being forced to wear 'branks' or a 'scold's bridle' which is a metal
muzzle that locked around her head and sometimes included a spiked plate
that would be placed in her mouth.
Those women were made to wear this who were viewed as having spoken
out of turn or said something inappropriate.
To know more historical facts, read https://www.thefactsite.com/100-history-facts/
Written by – Sandhya R
Edited by – Adrija Saha
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