5 Historical Movies That Got It Wrong

Russell Crowe in “Gladiator,” 2000

Author Michael Nordine

April 9, 2025

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Movies about history aren’t always known for their historical accuracy, which isn’t really a problem unless you’re basing all your knowledge of Napoleon on Napoleon. Some are especially egregious in their departures from the historical record, however, and the tension between fact and fiction can make for a confusing experience. Here are five historical movies that got the facts wrong.

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Braveheart

Braveheart was a massive success, grossing $200 million and winning four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. If Most Historically Inaccurate Picture were a category, it would have won five. Mel Gibson’s 1995 epic about Scottish independence leader William Wallace is notorious for the many creative liberties it took, so much so that its Wikipedia article features an entire “historical inaccuracy” section with seven different subsections. For one thing, Wallace wasn’t born a poor farmer — he belonged to the lesser nobility — and the wife whose execution spurs his rebellion in the film might not have even existed.

John O’Farrell, author of An Utterly Impartial History of Britain, has cheekily observed that the film “couldn’t have been more off the mark if a plasticine dog was added to the cast and it was retitled William Wallace and Gromit.” Two other Gibson movies — The Patriot, in which he starred, and Apocalypto, which he directed — likewise have little historical basis.

JFK

Oliver Stone has courted acclaim and controversy in equal measure throughout his more than 50-year career, with 1991’s JFK embodying both. Essentially a feature-length conspiracy theory — albeit a highly compelling one — about the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the political thriller was described by Stone himself as a “counter-myth” to the Warren Commission’s official findings.

Critic Michael Parenti called JFK “the only movie in film history that was attacked, six months before it was released, in just about every major broadcast and print outlet” — attacks that were due to concerns over how Stone would treat this highly sensitive subject. Indeed, Stone told The New York Times prior to the film’s release, “I've taken dramatic license. It is not a true story per se.” The phrase “back and to the left” (referring to the position of Kennedy’s head) sits alongside Braveheart’s “Freedom!” as one of the decade’s most iconic movie lines, proof that historical accuracy isn’t a requirement for cultural relevance.

Gladiator

Make no mistake: Ridley Scott knows his historical epics aren’t historically accurate and doesn’t care at all. He’s called on historians who take issue with movies such as Napoleon to “get a life” and even posed an important question: “Excuse me, mate, were you there?” His 2000 film Gladiator, the only Best Picture winner directed by the Alien and Blade Runner helmer, plays fast and loose with its subject matter, including reversing the meaning of the famous thumbs-down gesture in gladiator battles. In ancient Rome, that would have meant to let a fallen opponent live, not to kill them. The movie’s version is a bit more cinematically compelling, but certainly not historically accurate.

Pocahontas

No one watches an animated Disney movie for a history lesson, but the problems with 1995’s Pocahontas are so foundational that they bear special mention. This includes the fact that her real name was Amonute, others called her Matoaka, and Pocahontas was only a nickname, as well as her age when the 27-year-old John Smith entered her life: just 10 or 11. There’s also no evidence behind the idea that the Powhatan woman and English settler were romantically involved or that she saved his life. Take away those three factors and you basically don’t have a movie left. “Colors of the Wind” is still pretty catchy, though.

10,000 BC

Roland Emmerich has made some great action movies, most notably Independence Day. But the 2008 film 10,000 BC isn’t considered one of his best. Its glaring historical inaccuracies aren’t the main reason it was so poorly received, but they’re pretty egregious all the same. Nearly all of its major elements, from woolly mammoths and saber-toothed tigers to pyramids and written language, are off by several thousand years in either direction.

What Did Cars Do Before Windshield Wipers?

Windshield wiper, 1953

Author Nicole Villeneuve

April 6, 2025

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The earliest cars were a far cry from the high-tech machines we drive today. Even outside of modern amenities such as backup cameras and Bluetooth connectivity, very basic features that we now take for granted didn’t exist — including a way to clear water off the windshield. In rain or snow, early drivers had to get hands-on just to see the road ahead.

In fact, the earliest cars didn’t even have windshields, let alone wipers, and people parked their cars in carriage houses or barns when not in use. German engineer Carl Benz patented the first gas-powered vehicle in 1886, generally thought of as the world’s first automobile, and as the motor vehicle evolved, so did the need for better design and functionality. In 1908, Henry Ford’s introduction of the Model T marked a major shift, making cars more affordable and accessible for everyday use. Yet even the Tin Lizzie, as it was nicknamed, was not a fully enclosed vehicle.

The Model T was easy to operate and built to handle rough roads, and with a top speed of 40 miles per hour, it made travel far more efficient. But it still had its share of problems. In the winter, radiators, which were filled with water, could easily freeze and crack. In the spring, muddy roads in unpaved regions meant cars could easily get stuck. And no matter the season, there was nothing to shield drivers from wind, rain, dust, or debris. Before windshields were the norm, they were an optional add-on for the Model T and other cars, meaning many early motorists often faced the open road — quite literally — without protection.

Windshields didn’t become standard on most vehicles until around 1915, and while they handily did their job shielding drivers from hazards, they became somewhat of a hazard themselves. Visibility through the simple, straight pane of glass was limited in inclement weather. When rain, snow, or mud obscured a driver’s view, there was no built-in solution to clear it away. The only option? Pull over, get out, and manually wipe the glass. It wasn’t exactly convenient, but there weren’t a lot of options; one other trick drivers used was to rub a carrot, sliced onion, or even a pinch of tobacco across the glass to create a thin film believed to help repel water. Ultimately, though, stopping the car and getting out to wipe the windshield was the most reliable, if cumbersome, way to see.

15 TV Shows History Buffs Will Love

Louisa Jacobson in “The Gilded Age”

Author Kristina Wright

April 6, 2025

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There’s nothing like a great television series to sweep you into another time and place, bringing history to life with all the intrigue, romance, and drama of the past. And with today’s prestige TV and myriad streaming options, these shows are bigger, bolder, and more engaging than ever.

Whether they’re about royal power struggles, wartime heroics, or the social upheavals that shaped the modern world, historical dramas capture the moments where everything changes — and there’s no shortage of incredible stories to tell. Here are 15 historical TV shows that history buffs are sure to love.

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The Crown (2016-2023)

This lavish Netflix series chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, blending historical events with personal drama. Starring Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton as the queen at different times in her life, The Crown earned multiple Emmys, including Outstanding Drama Series.

Inspired by real events and Peter Morgan’s 2013 play The Audience, the show portrays the political and personal struggles of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. The meticulous attention to period detail, from costumes to set designs, makes The Crown one of Netflix’s most ambitious and expensive projects, reportedly costing $14.4 million per episode.

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Chernobyl (2019)

This gripping HBO miniseries reconstructs the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, exploring the scientific, political, and human factors that led to one of the worst nuclear accidents in history. Featuring powerful performances by Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, and Emily Watson, Chernobyl received multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards for writing, directing, and acting. While dramatized for television, the production was praised for its hauntingly realistic portrayal, with much of it filmed in Lithuania to replicate the abandoned Soviet-era city of Pripyat.

Watch on Max

Shōgun (2024-present)

Based on James Clavell’s 1975 bestselling novel, Shōgun immerses viewers in feudal Japan, following the journey of an English sailor who becomes involved in the court of a powerful daimyo (feudal lord). Starring Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga and Cosmo Jarvis as the stranded Englishman, John Blackthorne, this fresh adaptation revisits the classic story that first inspired the 1980 miniseries of the same name.

Originally intended as a single-season limited series, Shōgun became a runaway success, setting a record as the most-awarded single season in Emmy history with 18 wins. It also made history as the first Japanese-language series to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series. Thanks to its overwhelming popularity, the series has been renewed for two additional seasons, expanding its epic tale beyond its initial scope.

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John Adams (2008)

Starring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney and based on David McCullough’s Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, this HBO miniseries provides an insightful look at the founding of the United States through the political career and personal life of John Adams. Filmed in colonial-era locations including Williamsburg, Virginia, John Adams explores the founding father’s role in drafting the Declaration of Independence, his presidency, and his complex alliance with Thomas Jefferson. The series won 13 Primetime Emmys, including Outstanding Miniseries, and earned critical acclaim for its performances, particularly Giamatti’s portrayal of Adams.

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Peaky Blinders (2013-2022)

Set in post-World War I Birmingham, England, Peaky Blinders is a stylish and gritty crime drama that follows the rise of the Shelby crime family. Led by the cunning and ambitious Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), the gang expands its influence while navigating political intrigue, rival gangs, and personal betrayals. The series blends fiction with history, incorporating real-life figures including Winston Churchill and Oswald Mosley.

With an atmospheric soundtrack featuring modern artists such as Nick Cave and Queens of the Stone Age, Peaky Blinders became a cultural phenomenon. The show earned multiple BAFTAs, including Best Drama Series, and Murphy received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Tommy. With appearances by Tom Hardy and Anya Taylor-Joy, the series cemented itself as one of the most compelling crime dramas of the decade.

Watch on Netflix

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Downton Abbey (2010-2015)

Downton Abbey is a British period drama that chronicles the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in early-20th-century England. Created by Julian Fellowes, the series blends historical events with personal drama, capturing societal shifts with elegance and emotional depth. Starring Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, and Maggie Smith, it received widespread acclaim, winning multiple awards including a Golden Globe for Best Miniseries and a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Miniseries. The show’s success led to two film sequels: Downton Abbey (2019) and Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022), with a third film forthcoming.

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The Gilded Age (2022-present)

With a third season currently in production, The Gilded Age is another period series created by Julian Fellowes of Downton Abbey fame. Set in 1880s New York City, the series depicts the era’s societal clash between established aristocracy and emerging industrial wealth. Christine Baranski portrays widow Agnes Van Rhijn, a staunch defender of “old money” traditions; Cynthia Nixon plays Agnes’ unmarried sister, Ada Brooke, who is reliant on her sister’s charity; and Carrie Coon plays Bertha Russell, a determined socialite from a "new money" family striving to break into elite society.

While the series centers on the lives of fictional characters, real historical figures such as Caroline Astor, Clara Barton, and T. Thomas Fortune also make appearances in the script, adding depth to the portrayal of the social and political dynamics of Gilded Age America.

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Band of Brothers (2001), The Pacific (2010), and Masters of the Air (2024)

Produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, these companion World War II miniseries follow soldiers from different fronts of the war. The trilogy began with Band of Brothers, based on Stephen E. Ambrose’s book of the same name; it follows Easy Company, a unit of the 101st Airborne Division, from their training up through D-Day and the war’s end.

The Pacific, inspired by memoirs such as Helmet for My Pillow by Robert Leckie and With the Old Breed by Eugene Sledge, shifts the focus to the brutal island-hopping battles of the Pacific Theater and centers on three Marines. The latest installment, Masters of the Air, adapts Donald L. Miller’s book of the same name, exploring the experiences of the 100th Bomb Group, known as the "Bloody Hundredth," as they endure high-risk aerial missions over Nazi-occupied Europe.

Watch on Netflix and Apple TV+

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Rome (2005-2007)

Rome is a gripping historical drama that chronicles the turbulent fall of the Roman Republic. The story is seen through the eyes of two soldiers, Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, portrayed by Kevin McKidd and Ray Stevenson, respectively, whose lives become entangled with key historical figures such as Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, and Cleopatra. Praised for its historical authenticity and rich storytelling, the series is also known for its lavish production, intricate political intrigue, and visceral battle sequences. Despite garnering critical acclaim, Rome lasted only two seasons due to its high production costs — the 10 episodes of the first season cost $100 million.

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Mad Men (2007-2015)

Mad Men isn’t a traditional historical drama, since its focus is on character-driven storytelling rather than major historical events, but its detailed re-creation of 1960s America captures the advertising world’s glamour and the decade’s shifting social norms. Created by Matthew Weiner, the series follows the enigmatic Don Draper, played by Jon Hamm, and rising copywriter Peggy Olson, played by Elisabeth Moss. The show won 16 Emmys, including four consecutive wins for Outstanding Drama Series, and earned widespread praise for its nuanced portrayal of gender, race, and class in a rapidly evolving society.

Watch on AMC+

Derry Girls (2018-2022)

Created by Lisa McGee, Derry Girls is an Irish coming-of-age comedy that blends sharp humor with the historical backdrop of the Troubles, the decades-long conflict between nationalists and unionists in Northern Ireland. The series follows Erin, her eccentric friends, and her English cousin as they navigate teenage life in the Northern Ireland town of Derry in the 1990s, balancing school, family, and mischief amid political unrest. While primarily a comedy, it offers a poignant perspective on a turbulent era, capturing both the absurdity and warmth of adolescence in extraordinary times.

Watch on Netflix

Call the Midwife (2012-present)

Call the Midwife is a long-running BBC drama that follows midwives in London’s East End from the 1950s onward, blending real medical and social history into its compelling storylines. Created by Heidi Thomas and based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth, the series explores the challenges of childbirth, poverty, and evolving health care in postwar Britain while tackling issues such as immigration, women’s rights, and public health crises. The show has been praised for its compassionate storytelling and strong ensemble cast, including Jenny Agutter and Helen George.

Watch on Netflix

Victoria (2016-2019)

Novelist, screenwriter, and producer Daisy Goodwin is the visionary behind Victoria, a lush three-season period drama that brings to life the early reign of Queen Victoria, chronicling her personal and political struggles. Starring Jenna Coleman in a critically acclaimed performance, the series is based on historical events and the queen’s own diaries, offering an intimate look at the monarch’s rise to the throne, her marriage to Prince Albert, and the challenges of ruling a rapidly changing empire.

Watch on Amazon Prime

What Did Mummies Smell Like?

Mummification in Egypt, 19th century

Author Bess Lovejoy

April 5, 2025

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Although scent and memory are intimately intertwined, it’s not always easy to figure out what the past smelled like. But in the case of Egyptian mummies, historians may actually have an answer, and it’s “surprisingly pleasant.”

Recently, researchers from the University College London collaborated with the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to analyze the scents of nine mummies from a range of time periods in ancient Egyptian history. The resulting study, published in February 2025 in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, combined somewhat traditional sensory analysis — a panel of trained human “sniffers” who described their findings — with techniques to pinpoint the chemical compounds the mummies were emitting.

They looked at nine mummies, dating from Egypt’s New Kingdom (roughly 1539 to 1077 BCE) to its Roman period (30 BCE to 642 CE), and the most common olfactory descriptors people noted were “woody,” “spicy,” and “sweet.” Less commonly, the mummies were described as smelling “incense-like” or “stale, rancid.” The human sniffers were also asked to describe the pleasantness of mummy aromas, technically known as their “hedonic tone.” The average hedonic tone was rated as “slightly pleasant” — not bad, 5,000 or so years after death.

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Some of the most common odor compounds isolated by the more high-tech analysis were “nonanal” (described as smelling fresh and similar to wax, orange peel, and fat), “furfural” (described as being sweet and reminiscent of wood, almonds, and bread), and terpenoids such as α-pinene, d-limonene, l-verbenone, and borneol. Terpenoids usually suggest the use of plant products such as juniper oil, myrrh, and frankincense, which have all been well documented as part of the mummification process.

Indeed, the smells emitted by the mummies come in large part from the materials used to preserve the corpses. While techniques and materials varied over time, Egyptian mummies were often embalmed with resins from trees such as pine, cedar, juniper, and mastic, as well as gum resins (such as myrrh and frankincense), incense, animal fats, waxes, and various other woods, spices, herbs, and flowers. The preservation process also often involved natron salts — a mix of sodium carbonate, hydrogen carbonate, and small amounts of chloride and sulfate.

The Curious History of Love Potions

“The Love Potion” painting, 1868

Author Timothy Ott

March 27, 2025

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The idea of a love potion created to win the heart of an uninterested companion has been around for virtually as long as recorded history. While no one knows for sure when these elixirs first bubbled into existence, their development through the years, in many guises, serves as a snapshot for the cultures these creative concoctions have passed through.

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The Ancient Greeks Set the Tone

According to Love Potions Through the Ages: A Study of Amatory Devices and Mores by Harry E. Wedeck, the ancient Greeks were among the earliest civilizations to foster the regular use of love potions, also known as “philtres.” The physician Xenocrates, who lived in the third century BCE, suggested that drinking the sap of the mallow plant would arouse passions in women.

The stimulating effects of the roots of the satyrion and mandrake plants were well known to both the Greeks and the Romans that followed. The Greek physician Dioscorides, who served as an army surgeon for the Roman Emperor Nero, wrote of how the mandrake root dipped in wine would help win over prospective lovers.

Even those who lacked wealth and power enjoyed access to love-inducing aides, as they could find various charms and concoctions in a seedy district of ancient Rome known as the Sabura. Yet the widespread availability of such philtres, with their varying degrees of effectiveness, could also be a source of trouble.

The poet Lucretius, a contemporary of Julius Caesar’s, was said to have been driven mad by a potion administered by his wife. Later, the Roman writer Apuleius stood trial for his alleged concoction of love potions to win the heart of a widow, with recipes including such stimulating seafood as spiced oysters, cuttlefish, and lobsters.

India’s Kama Sutra Provided Instructions for Reeling in Lovers

The Greeks and Romans weren't the only ancients to encourage the common use of love-inducing ingredients. The Kama Sutra, composed in North India around the third century BCE, is famed as an erotic how-to manual, but also includes instructions for how to win over a mate. One such entry describes how a man who plays a reed pipe treated with the juices of various plants could ignite the passions of his love interest.

The Islamic cultures that flourished in the Middle East and Africa devised their own methods of romantic inducements culled from local specialties. The 11th-century physician and philosopher Ibn Sina (known in the West as Avicenna) wrote of a love brew composed of honey, pepper, and ginger.

Honey was also a prime ingredient cited in Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Nefzawi's The Perfumed Garden, a 15th-century Arabic erotic manual. One fail-proof recipe for summoning a lover, according to Nefzawi, involved heating purified honey with onion juices, before adding water and pounded chickpeas. The resulting broth was to be taken in small doses, just before going to bed, during a spell of cold weather.

Things Took a Turn Toward the Bizarre in the Middle Ages

The European Middle Ages marked a culmination of centuries of potion-making on the continent. Easily found in marketplaces, these philtres included many traditional plants and foods, but also crossed into the realm of the bizarre by incorporating human and animal body parts and fluids.

The 13th-century German polymath Albertus Magnus, known as Doctor Universalis, wrote of one such recipe: "If thou wilt that a woman bee not visious nor desire men, take the private members of a Woolfe, and the haires which doe grow on the cheekes or eyebrowes of him, and the haires which bee under his beard, and burne it all, and give it to her to drinke, when she knoweth not, and she shal desire no other man."

By the Elizabethan era in late-16th-century England, William Shakespeare was among those who dramatized the appeal of love potions among the populace. One such spell appears to comedic effect in A Midsummer Night's Dream, when petals are laid on the eyes of the sleeping fairy queen Titania, enchanting her to fall in love with the hapless weaver Nick Bottom.

Yet love potions remained very much in existence beyond the fictional realm of the stage and printed page. King Louis XIV of France, who was known to partake in pleasures of the flesh at the Palace of Versailles, was famously administered such mind-warping tonics by a cunning mistress, Madame de Montespan. Supplied by alleged sorceress Catherine Monvoisin, Montespan treated the Sun King's meat and wine with mixtures made of "blood, bones, intestines, along with parts of toads and bats," binding Louis XIV to her wiles long enough to produce seven children.

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Future Drugs May Replace Archaic Potions

While many cultures continue to rely on local dishes designed to stimulate amorous feelings, the old-fashioned love potion comprised of roots and hairs and crafted to win over a longed-for mate primarily endures among the tropes of popular culture. "Love Potion No. 9" was a hit song for the Clovers in 1959, as well as the title of a 1992 Sandra Bullock film. And Harry Potter fans might recall that the dreaded Lord Voldemort's parents were brought together by a philtre.

Of course, pharmaceuticals serve as something of a replacement for these traditional mixtures, from the libidinous inducements of Viagra to the warm and fuzzy feelings ignited by MDMA. Along those lines, scientists have teased the unveiling of new drugs that trigger the release of the "love hormone" oxytocin among affection-seeking users.

The difference is that these stimulants would be geared toward couples who are looking to rekindle a spark, as opposed to the old (and problematic) method of eliminating the autonomy of a would-be lover. It remains to be seen how effective such doses would be, but given the long history of love potions as a remedy for unrequited lovers, it’s a good bet that people will be willing to find out.

The Greatest April Fools’ Pranks in History

April Fool’s Day, early 1950s

Author Timothy Ott

March 27, 2025

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No one knows for sure when the concept of April Fools’ Day originated. It may have sprung from the Roman spring festival of Hilaria, a time of merriment and mischief-making when even local magistrates were subject to ridicule. Another possible starting point was the Catholic Church-decreed shift of the new year from the end of March to January in 1582, with those who continued to celebrate the old date derided as “April fools.”

Whatever the source, the practice of pulling a prank on April 1 is by now well established across different cultures. And it isn’t simply a matter of the average Joe or Jane zinging their friends with a mild gag — prominent companies have been known to partake in the action on a far larger scale, too. Here are six cases where a well-executed idea blew past the boundaries of the garden-variety April Fools’ Day prank to earn widespread attention.

The Lung-Powered Aviator

In April 1934, The New York Times, the Daily News, and the Chicago Herald & Examiner were among the American newspapers to publish an eye-opening photo of an airborne man wearing skis and clinging to a pair of bulky tubes. The caption explained how the contraption’s pilot was able to power rotors in the tubes by simply blowing into a box, making him the first man to achieve flight with his own body’s energy.

What the editors of these publications didn’t realize was that the picture, distributed by the International News Photos, was from a fabricated story in the April Fools’ edition of the German news magazine Berliner Illustrirte Zeitung. The Americans also missed out on the joke by misspelling the pilot’s name, which was “Koycher” — a play on the German word for wheezing.

The Great Spaghetti Harvest

In what may have been the first television-based April Fools' prank, the BBC in 1957 decided to have some fun with viewers by way of its investigative series Panorama. Those who turned in to the April 1 episode were greeted by footage of smiling people plucking "spaghetti" from trees, with narrator Richard Dimbleby explaining how it was a banner year for the crop in this Swiss village thanks to the mild winter and the eradication of the pesky spaghetti weevil.

Apparently, spaghetti was still something of a novelty throughout much of the United Kingdom in that time, which explains why the BBC's switchboard was lit up by callers inquiring how to grow their own trees. Meanwhile, those who wrote to the station with that question received the cheeky reply, "Place a sprig of spaghetti in a tin of tomato sauce and hope for the best."

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The Gravity-Defying Planetary Alignment

The BBC was up to its April 1 tomfoolery again in 1976, when astronomer Patrick Moore instructed radio listeners to be ready for an extraordinary cosmic event. At 9:47 that morning, Moore explained, Earth would be directly lined up with Jupiter and Pluto (then still a planet) to produce an unusual gravitational pull; those who jumped at the exact moment he directed would find themselves temporarily floating.

The segment was actually a dig at a recently published book called The Jupiter Effect, which cited dubious scientific principles to detail how the eventual alignment of all nine planets would produce terrible earthquakes and the destruction of Los Angeles. Of course, there were an untold number of listeners who took Moore's tongue-in-cheek announcement quite seriously. One caller described how she and 11 friends had all floated around a room together, while another demanded monetary damages for soaring too high and banging his head on the ceiling.

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The Sydney Iceberg

Heading into April Fools' Day 1978, Australian businessman Dick Smith announced that he would tow in an iceberg from Antarctica and carve the frozen mound into cubes that were guaranteed to enhance the flavor of any drink. While he originally intended to haul over a real iceberg, Smith instead settled for a prank in which he draped plastic sheets over a barge and applied a mountain of shaving cream and firefighting foam on top.

On the morning of April 1, Smith had the barge towed into Sydney Harbor, while some 300 of his employees called local radio stations and newspapers to breathlessly describe the "iceberg" bearing down on the city. Even when the hoax was revealed with the onset of rain that washed away the foam, Smith cheerfully kept up the ruse by handing out ice cubes from the barge's beer refrigerator.

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Sports Illustrated’s Sidd Finch

Normally known for his realistic accounts of competing against professional athletes of various sports, writer George Plimpton took a new angle for the April 1, 1985 edition of Sports Illustrated by creating a fictional baseball player. As described in his story "The Curious Case of Sidd Finch," the titular ballplayer was a reclusive 28-year-old Harvard dropout who had been trained by Buddhist monks, was fluent in Sanskrit, and played the French horn. He also could throw a baseball at the unheard-of speed of 168 miles per hour, and as such had earned a secret tryout with the New York Mets.

The Mets went along with the story, allowing players and coaches to be photographed with the middle school art teacher who was posing as Finch. Even though Plimpton hinted at the joke with the first letters of the words in the article's subhead — "He's a pitcher, part yogi and part recluse. Impressively liberated from our opulent life-style, Sidd's deciding about yoga" (spelling out "Happy April Fools' Day") — the well-executed deception reportedly led to other teams contacting the Mets to learn more about this mysterious pitcher.

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The Left-Handed Whopper

Burger King proudly bills itself as the home of the Whopper, which makes it fitting that the fast-food chain sprung a whopper of a prank on April Fools' Day in 1998. That day, a full-page advertisement in USA Today trumpeted the launch of the "Left-Handed Whopper," with a helpful diagram showing how BK's signature sandwich was "rotated a full 180 degrees" to ensure a "better grip" and "maximum enjoyment" for lefties. The company's vice president of marketing even described how the product was only being sold in the United States for the time being, but would possibly become available in "other countries with large left-handed populations."

Neither the publication date of the ad nor the head-scratching premise raised red flags among the masses; a follow-up release from Burger King described how thousands of customers had gone to their restaurants to request left-handed Whoppers, with others specifying that they still preferred the right-handed version.

Was Uncle Sam a Real Person?

Uncle Sam Army recruitment poster

Author Timothy Ott

March 19, 2025

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Even in an age when our eyes are bombarded with viral photos of cats or two-second clips of celebrities, the image of an elderly, bearded Uncle Sam beseeching us to join him remains an iconic visual for the masses.

Of course, the likeness of Uncle Sam easily predates the internet age, and unlike most currently circulating memes, the character stands for something beyond the brief gratification of a giggle, as the visual representation of the United States government.

But while Uncle Sam is a highly recognizable figure, his origins are lesser known. And while it’s natural to wonder if he was based on one of the Founding Fathers or some other influential figure, the answer to that, like the story of the nation itself, is complicated.

“Brother Jonathan” Predated Uncle Sam

Well before the first appearance of Uncle Sam, the personification of the emerging identity of the American colonies took form in other characters.

Two such personas were women. America (or Amérique) was depicted as a primitive queen of the wild New World as far back as the 16th century. She was followed by Columbia, who was popularized in ode during the Revolutionary War by African American poet Phillis Wheatley, and remained a prominent allegorical symbol of the country until the late 19th century.

By the mid-1700s, the British were lampooning the colonists with the uncultured character of Yankee Doodle, best remembered in the song that endures to this day. But while the tune was intended to mock, the chippy colonists adopted Yankee Doodle for their own purposes, even singing the song in battle to antagonize the Redcoats.

Following the war, a new embodiment of the United States took root in the form of Brother Jonathan, a character supposedly based on the Continental Army-supporting Connecticut Governor Jonathan Trumbull. However, for more than a century, “Jonathan” had also been a derogatory term for people opposed to the British monarchy, and the term may have been applied to the rebellious Patriots.

As with Yankee Doodle, the Americans adopted the term for themselves, transforming an initial insult into a source of national pride. Variously portrayed in verse and on stage as a seaman, peddler, or trader, the feisty Brother Jonathan soon regularly appeared in comic form across American publications, typically clad in a long-tailed coat and striped trousers, and often found tangling with John Bull, the corpulent embodiment of Great Britain.

A Meatpacker Is Credited as the Inspiration for the Symbol

Along with providing plenty of fodder for additional rounds of Brother Jonathan and John Bull illustrations, the War of 1812 provided a business opportunity for an upstate New York resident who fueled the creation myth of Uncle Sam.

In early 1813, a Troy-based meatpacker and brickmaker by the name of Samuel "Uncle Sam" Wilson partnered with a contractor to provide beef and pork to American troops. Wilson's barrels were stamped with "U.S." to signify that they were earmarked for military use. However, the various employees involved in the distribution process joked that the initials stood for Uncle Sam, the nickname of the widely liked meatpacker, and the connection between the moniker and the government spread from there.

This story of Uncle Sam's human origins first appeared in print in 1830, and it was considered canon by the time Congress passed a resolution in 1961 that recognized "'Uncle Sam' Wilson of Troy, New York as the progenitor of America's national symbol of 'Uncle Sam.'"

However, recent research has uncovered use of the term from before Wilson's tenure as a food supplier for the troops. The earliest to date was found in an 1810 journal entry from Navy midshipman Isaac Mayo, who wrote of how "uncle Sam, as they call him, would certainly forever have lost the services of at least one sailor" due to Mayo’s extreme seasickness.

It's still plausible that those involved in Wilson's enterprise were responsible for introducing the term to a broader segment of the population, although it's clear that the concept of Uncle Sam already existed in some capacity before the popular meatpacker.

Credit: Heritage Images/ Hulton Archive via Getty Images

Cartoonist Thomas Nast Created the Iconic Image of the Character

Whatever his exact origins, Uncle Sam claimed a place in popular culture alongside Brother Jonathan as the 19th century progressed, the two essentially interchangeable as avatars of American interests. However, early versions of Uncle Sam lacked a defined form; he was depicted as both a toddler and an old man, his frame varying from thin to portly, and garb ranging from pajamas to formal wear.

The modern image of the character began solidifying after the Civil War thanks in large part to cartoonist Thomas Nast, who also popularized the contemporary perceptions of Santa Claus as well as the donkey and elephant mascots of America’s dominant political parties. A staunch supporter of Union causes, Nast captured the essence of President Abraham Lincoln by drawing Uncle Sam as a tall, thin, bearded man.

By that point, Uncle Sam had also taken on a more distinct persona as the embodiment of the American government, in contrast with Brother Jonathan’s representation of its industrious citizens. Uncle Sam ultimately eclipsed the older symbol outright before the end of the 19th century, even assuming Jonathan’s standard uniform of striped trousers, long-tailed coat, and top hat.

An Illustrator Used His Own Face for the Famed WWI Recruitment Poster

The final stage of Uncle Sam's evolution came from the drawing pad of James Montgomery Flagg, an American illustrator known for his "Nervy Nat" comic strip and images of curvy pinup girls in the first years of the 20th century.

Tasked with creating the art for a Leslie's Illustrated Weekly cover, Flagg reportedly worked off the "Lord Kitchener Wants You" British military recruitment poster from 1914, substituting Uncle Sam for the British secretary of state for war and using his own face as the model for his character.

Flagg's now-famous depiction of Uncle Sam sternly gazing and pointing at the viewer first appeared on the July 16, 1916, cover of Leslie's, with the heading "What Are You Doing for Preparedness?" By the following spring, the first of some 4 million World War I recruitment posters were printed with the Flagg-as-Uncle Sam image, this time above the words "I Want You for U.S. Army."

This was just one of 46 posters created by Flagg for the U.S. war effort, some of which depicted Uncle Sam as a muscular, superhero-type character. However, the initial recruitment poster proved the most enduring, as it was again used to beef up the military for World War II.

It also provided the best-known depiction of Uncle Sam in his modern form: a more mature version of Brother Jonathan, shaped by the backstory of a hard-working entrepreneur, set in the mold of Abraham Lincoln, and polished with the features of his wartime rebrander to stand out as a quintessentially American icon.

Why Was Turtle Soup Once Considered a Delicacy?

Making turtle soup

Author Nicole Villeneuve

March 19, 2025

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From the mid-18th century until the mid-20th century, turtle soup was one of the most luxurious dishes in European and American cuisine. It frequently appeared on the tables of wealthy families and was served at dinners held by prominent politicians. While turtle soup is still considered a delicacy in some parts of the world, it has become all but obsolete in America. But why, exactly, did this dish enjoy more than 200 years as a prized culinary staple?

From Survival Food to Status Symbol

The first Europeans to eat turtle were not aristocrats, but sailors and explorers in the late 17th century. The green sea turtles found in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean were initially seen as merely suitable sustenance for long journeys at sea. But as Indigenous peoples of the Caribbean islands taught European seafarers more about turtles, the simple food became seen as “exotic” and desirable. It caught the attention of the upper class in Europe, and before long, turtle meat became a coveted luxury on the continent.

By the early 18th century, Britain’s taste for turtle had extended to the American colonies, and while recipes for turtle casseroles and other dishes were prominent in cookbooks from the era, turtle soup was the most popular. Turtle’s delicate, veal-like taste and rich, gelatinous texture made it ideal for slow-simmered broths and stews.

The Terrapin’s Territory

With demand for turtle soup surging, overfishing quickly became a problem. The Caribbean sea turtle population rapidly began depleting in the early 1800s. In the U.S., diamondback terrapins from the country’s eastern shores became a popular substitute for sea turtles. Abraham Lincoln even served terrapin stew at his second inauguration in 1865. The dish, according to an 1880 edition of The Washington Post, was “an important part of any Washington dinner laying claim to being a pretentious affair.”

By the turn of the 20th century, “mock” turtle soup, made with calf’s head instead of turtle meat, had become almost as beloved as the real thing. But the appetite for real turtle soup remained, and overharvesting of turtle populations continued, particularly as canned turtle soup became an increasingly mainstream product.

Credit: Buyenlarge/ Archive Photos via Getty Images

The Fall of a Delicacy

When Prohibition started in 1920 and the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol was banned in the U.S., a key ingredient of turtle soup, sherry, was no longer available. What’s more, without alcohol sales, many of the country’s fine dining establishments — the very ones that helped keep turtle soup flourishing among the upper class — struggled to remain open. As they gradually closed, with them went the once-ubiquitous terrapin treat.

In 1973, the Endangered Species Act made it illegal to kill sea turtles in U.S. waters — bad news for turtle soup fans but good news for sea turtles. By 2019, their population had rebounded, increasing by 980%. Even though a vintage recipe for turtle soup remained in a reissue of the classic American cookbook The Joy of Cooking as late as 1997, the hearty dish all but disappeared from menus and dining tables by the 1980s.

The Biggest Archaeological Discoveries in Recent History

Deir el-Bahari necropolis, Egypt

Author Kristina Wright

March 19, 2025

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From lost cities to ancient maps, modern archaeological discoveries have transformed our understanding of the past. Experts now use cutting-edge tools such as Lidar, deep-sea scanning, and radiocarbon dating to uncover long-forgotten sites and artifacts — and they’re rewriting history in the process.

In recent years, these advancements have led to the discovery of the oldest European map, a remarkably preserved Greek shipwreck, and the tomb of a pharaoh who was almost lost to history. Each of these finds sheds new light on ancient civilizations, revealing how people traveled, built their cities, and honored their dead. Here are five incredible discoveries made since 2014, reminding us that history always has secrets just waiting to be uncovered.

The Oldest Known European Map

When the Saint-Bélec Slab, a Bronze Age carved stone, was first discovered in 1900 in France, it was largely overlooked and remained forgotten for more than a century. In 2014, researchers rediscovered the 5-by-6.5-foot stone slab in a French castle and decided to investigate further. Using modern techniques, Bournemouth University’s Clément Nicolas and his team analyzed the 4,000-year-old artifact and noted that the carvings on one side of the slab resembled a map.

Their research revealed that the engraved lines and repeated symbols represented the Odet river valley in western Brittany, making the artifact an early example of cartography. Comparing the markings to a modern map, they found an 80% accuracy match, confirming that the Saint-Bélec Slab is the oldest known map depicting a territory in Europe. This discovery offers insights into the territorial organization and mapping skills of Bronze Age societies and could lead to the discovery of previously unknown ancient sites.

The World’s Oldest Intact Shipwreck

In 2018, maritime archaeologists from the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project (MAP) discovered an exceptionally well-preserved ancient Greek merchant ship at a depth of 1.3 miles off the Bulgarian coast in the Black Sea. Radiocarbon dating indicates that the vessel is approximately 2,400 years old, dating back to around 400 BCE, making it the world's oldest known intact shipwreck.

Measuring about 75 feet in length, the ship was found lying on its side on the seabed, with its mast, rudders, and rowing benches still intact. The anoxic (oxygen-free) conditions at this depth prevented organic materials from decaying, allowing the ship to remain remarkably well preserved. Its design closely resembles ships depicted on ancient Greek pottery, such as the Siren Vase in the British Museum, which illustrates Odysseus tied to the mast as he resists the Sirens' call. This discovery provides researchers with valuable insights into ancient Greek shipbuilding and maritime trade.

Credit: Diana Sanchez/ Alamy Stock Photo

A Thousand-Year-Old Maya Palace

In late 2019, archaeologists uncovered a Maya palace in the ancient city of Kulubá, located in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula near modern-day Cancún. Believed to be more than a thousand years old, the structure measures approximately 180 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 20 feet tall, and appears to have had six rooms. Part of a larger complex that includes a burial site, the palace is believed to have been occupied during two distinct periods between 600 CE and 1050 CE, serving as a residence for the Maya elite.

The Kulubá archaeological zone — a pre-Hispanic site in the Yucatán state — was first discovered in 1939, but was only recently acquired by Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), which made the 2019 discovery. Ongoing excavations aim to further explore and preserve these structures, allowing researchers to learn more about the cultural and historical significance of Kulubá within the Maya world.

A Lost City in Greece

The lost city of Tenea, an ancient Greek settlement, was long considered mythical until it was unearthed in 2018. According to legend, it was founded around 1100 BCE by Trojan prisoners of war after the fall of Troy. Ancient sources, including the geographer Pausanias, referenced a place called Tenea, but its exact location remained unknown for centuries.

Archaeological interest was sparked in 1984 when a sarcophagus was found near the village of Chiliomodi. Decades later, Greek archaeologist Elena Korka led excavations that revealed well-preserved structures, clay floors, houses, pottery, and over 200 coins dating from the fourth century BCE to the late Roman period. These findings confirmed Tenea’s existence and provided insights into its historical and cultural significance.

Further excavations in 2023 revealed additional structures, including marble and stone floors, as well as ceramic storage jugs, suggesting that Tenea was a thriving settlement, particularly during the Roman period under Emperor Septimius Severus. The city is believed to have been abandoned in the sixth century CE.

A Mysterious Pharaoh’s Tomb

In 2022, a British Egyptian archaeological team led by Piers Litherland unearthed the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II near Luxor, Egypt. The tomb is 3,500 years old and was initially believed to have belonged to a royal wife due to its location, but inscribed fragments of alabaster canopic jars bearing Thutmose II's name confirmed it was intended for the pharaoh. Despite the absence of the king's remains, which were likely relocated following a flood a few years after he was entombed, the find is considered the most significant ancient Egyptian discovery since Tutankhamun's tomb was uncovered in 1922.

In comparison to other Egyptian rulers, little evidence of Thutmose II’s reign has been found. This discovery has helped resolve long-standing questions about the burial sites of pharaohs from early in Egypt’s 18th dynasty. The tomb's unique location, more than a mile west of the Valley of the Kings necropolis, has also challenged previous assumptions about royal burials during this period.

6 Jobs From the 1950s That Barely Exist Today

Secretary sitting at desk

Author Kristina Wright

March 19, 2025

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The American workforce has transformed dramatically since the 1950s, a decade marked by economic prosperity, suburban expansion, and rapid industrialization. It’s likely that folks at the time couldn’t have imagined how much the U.S. job market would change over the next few decades — or how quickly innovation would make once-common jobs almost obsolete.

Careers such as switchboard operator and typist may have seemed stable and essential in the mid-20th century, but time, technology, and changing needs have made them and many others all but disappear. Some occupations that once played a vital role in the daily lives of Americans still exist in niche markets, but they’re a far cry from their heyday. Here are six jobs that were popular in the 1950s but are now nearly extinct.

Credit: PhotoQuest/ Archive Photos via Getty Images

Telephone Switchboard Operator

Before direct-dial telephone systems took over, switchboard operators — most of them women — were the backbone of communication, ensuring calls reached the right destination. In the 1950s, the United States had approximately 342,000 telephone switchboard operators employed by the Bell System and independent telephone companies, plus a million operators working in private settings such as offices, factories, hotels, and apartment buildings. It was a demanding job that required quick reflexes and strong customer service skills as the operators manually connected calls by plugging and unplugging cords on massive switchboards.

By the 1960s and ’70s, automated dialing systems and digital telecommunications gradually phased out the need for human operators, making the profession nearly obsolete. In 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported there were approximately 43,800 people working as “Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service,” with most of those jobs being in the medical and travel industries.

Milkman

Having fresh milk delivered to your doorstep was once a common part of American life. The local milkman made daily or weekly rounds, leaving glass bottles on doorsteps and retrieving empty ones. This service was necessary before the widespread adoption of home refrigeration, as fresh dairy products spoiled quickly. In the 1950s, more than half of consumer milk sales came from home delivery services. However, the rise of supermarkets and improved refrigeration technology made milk delivery nearly obsolete.

By 1975, home-delivered milk accounted for only about 7% of total milk sales, and by 2005, this number had dwindled to just 0.4%. While some niche companies still offer home delivery today, the classic image of a uniformed milkman carrying a metal crate is now a symbol of a bygone era.

Credit: Tribune Content Agency LLC/ Alamy Stock Photo

Elevator Operator

In the mid-20th century, elevator operators were essential for manually controlling elevators in department stores, office buildings, and hotels. At its peak, the profession employed more than 90,000 workers in the U.S., responsible for operating controls, greeting passengers, and ensuring smooth rides.

While automated elevators existed as early as 1900, widespread adoption was slow due to public hesitation. A major shift occurred after a 1945 elevator operators strike in New York City proved self-service elevators were viable. In 1950, only 12.6% of new elevator installations were automated, but this figure surged to more than 90% by 1959.

Today, elevator operators are almost nonexistent, with the role no longer tracked in labor statistics. In fact, out of 270 occupations listed on the U.S. Census in 1950, elevator operator is the only one that’s since been completely automated. However, a few historic buildings, particularly in New York City, still employ operators for nostalgia or specialized service.

Credit: Harold M. Lambert/ Archive Photos via Getty Images

Typist

Secretarial jobs such as stenographers and typists became essential during the Industrial Revolution, as businesses generated more paperwork than ever before. By the early 20th century, clerical work was a predominantly female profession, as companies could pay women lower wages for administrative tasks due to the gender discrimination at the time. Secretarial schools provided professional training, allowing many women to enter the field without a full college education.

By 1950, secretarial work had become the most common occupation for women, with 1.7 million employed as stenographers, typists, or secretaries, according to census data. However, the introduction of computers, word processing software, and voice recognition technology gradually reduced the need for dedicated typists. While secretarial roles still exist today, the number of workers specifically categorized as "word processors and typists" declined to 37,200 by 2023.

Credit: National Film Board of Canada/ Archive Photos via Getty Images

Motion Picture Projectionist

Motion picture projectionists played a vital role in the moviegoing experience in the 1950s, operating and maintaining film projectors in theaters. Their work was labor-intensive, involving tasks such as film changeovers, managing carbon arc lamps, and handling nitrate film, which required a lot of manpower. But the demand for traditional film projectionists dramatically declined with the rise of digital projection technology. By 2013, an estimated 92% of movie theaters in the United States had made the switch to digital projection.

In 1950, more than 26,000 people were employed as motion picture projectionists. By 2023, that number had fallen to just 2,610, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This drastic reduction is largely due to the automation brought about by digital projection, which has replaced the need for manual operation and maintenance of film projectors.

Gas Station Attendant

Full-service gas stations were the standard in the 1950s, with attendants providing services such as pumping gas, checking oil levels, cleaning windshields, and inspecting tire pressure. The first self-service gas station in the U.S. opened in 1947 in Los Angeles, but the concept didn't gain widespread acceptance until the 1970s.

Several factors contributed to the shift toward self-service stations. Rising labor costs made it more expensive for station owners to employ attendants, prompting many to adopt self-service pumps to reduce expenses. Technological advancements also improved the safety and ease of self-service fueling, increasing consumer acceptance.

The 1973 oil crisis, which led to soaring gas prices, further accelerated this transition as both businesses and consumers sought cost-saving measures. Today, New Jersey remains the only state that prohibits drivers from pumping their own gas, maintaining a full-service mandate.

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