Is It True That...?

...Democracy Was Invented In Greece?

Democracy is widespread today - but what do we actually mean by the word? Participative democracy e...

...The Plague Was the Worst Epidemic Ever?

The Black Death was a catastrophe for Europe killing half of the population of the continent in the...

...We Used to Work More?

Do we work more today than in the distant past? Hunter-gatherers often got by with little effort, a...

...We Always Believed in God?

For as long as we can remember, human beings have expressed belief in higher deities in art, ritual...

...The Library of Alexandria Burned Down?

The Library of Alexandria was considered a treasure trove of knowledge - and its loss shows how fra...

...Vibrators Were Invented for Female Pleasure?

According to a widely believed story, the vibrator was the brainchild of male doctors who wanted to...

...We Used to Die Younger in the Past?

Advances in agriculture, hygiene and medicine have steadily increased average life expectancy throu...

...Hitler Invented the Autobahn?

Many believe that Hitler invented the Autobahn, boosting the German economy and solving unemploymen...

...The Steam Engine Started the Industrial Revolution?

The steam engine marked the beginning of the fossil fuel era. But was it really this invention that...

...Bartering Was the First Form of Money?

A world without money? It is hard to imagine - but it did exist. But was bartering really the first...

...Men Have Always Worn Trousers?

What does what we wear reveal about our society? Who determines what is considered masculine or fem...

...Beauty Standards Have Always Been the Same?

Beauty has shaped our thoughts and feelings from ancient times to the present day. Who do we find a...

...Julius Caesar Was Born by C-Section?

A caesarean has become a common way to give birth, but until the 19th century, it was a highly dang...

...We All Believed the World Was Flat?

Did everyone think that the Earth was a flat disc until Christopher Columbus boldly attempted to pr...

...There Was No Hygiene in the Middle Ages?

With chivalrous Knights, great castles and high adventure, the Middle Ages have always fascinated u...

...Decadence Caused the Fall of Rome?

Military victories, efficient administration, flourishing trade, innovative technologies: the Roman...

Education Serves the Common Good?

Education is seen today as one of the pillars of a modern, democratic society. Yet its historical r...

Pirates Were Always Bad?

They sailed under the flag of the skull and crossbones - as the self-proclaimed enemies of all mank...

... Collective Ownership is Doomed to Fail?

The Tragedy of the Commons theory posits that a valuable and finite resource, freely available to e...

...Pasta Was Made in Italy?

Who doesn't love pasta? It's conquered the world, but Italians love it most. But did they really in...

Men and Women Have Never Been Equal?

From Iceland’s women’s strike in 1975 right back to strong Viking women and the very first human se...

...We have always gone on strike?

...Secret agents have no qualms of conscience?

...We all used to speak the same language?

...We used to live in harmony with nature?

...Borders Have Always Existed?

250,000 kilometres of borders stretch across the world todaya nd even on the oldest maps they are e...

...Migrations were not as numerous in the past?

...Childhood Is A Modern Invention?

In the past, childhood did not exist: Children had to go out into the fields and work alongside adu...

...We Have Always Eaten Meat?

People eat meat - all over the world in the most diverse cultures. But have they always done so? An...