BUSTING MYTHS

10 Weird Ancient Beliefs That Were Debunked By Modern Science

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Trying to understand why things happen is part of what makes us human. But in the process, we sometimes end up arriving at very strange—and very wrong—conclusions. Luckily, as science advances, many of these once-held truths have been debunked. From ancient myths to modern misconceptions, here are 10 bizarre beliefs that have been shattered by the power of scientific inquiry.

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For centuries, people believed that living organisms could arise spontaneously from non-living matter. This gave rise to some strange ideas—like mice and other pests being generated seasonally from river mud, fleas emerging from dust, and even fully formed geese sprouting from barnacles! However, Louis Pasteur’s experiments in the 19th century definitively debunked this erroneous notion, proving that life arises only from preexisting life.

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As unbelievable as it sounds, for centuries, the pinnacle of medical science involved making an already ill patient bleed nearly a gallon of blood, for his own good (sigh). The practice, known as bloodletting, was based on the belief that it helped balance the body's four "humors" and could cure a variety of ailments. Obviously, it did far more harm than good. But to be fair, if you survived that, you could probably endure anything life threw at you.

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Before the germ theory of disease, people believed that illnesses were caused by foul odors, or "miasmas," emanating from decaying matter. They weren’t entirely off course, though—foul smells can indeed signal intense microbial activity, and the poor living conditions and lack of sanitation in early modern cities were often linked to spikes in epidemics and infections. However, scientific advancements in microbiology eventually revealed that diseases are primarily caused by microorganisms, not just bad air.

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This is one of those cases where wanting something to be real badly enough can make you believe it actually is. And who wouldn’t want a formula for turning junk into solid gold? Ancient alchemists sought to transmute base metals into gold using a mysterious substance known as the "philosopher’s stone." However, after centuries of failed attempts, most of the beliefs held by the alchemists were debunked by a more scientific understanding of chemical reactions, paving the way for modern chemistry.

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Ancient civilizations often viewed solar and lunar eclipses as omens of misfortune or signs of divine punishment from their gods. From the Ancient Greeks to the Aztecs, sacrifices and rituals of appeasement were performed to ward off the worst of the gods’ wrath. However, as humanity's understanding of celestial mechanics improved—and as accurate methods for predicting eclipses were developed—these ancient superstitions gradually faded.

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When ancient people encountered fossils that didn’t resemble any living creatures of their time, they had to come up with explanations. But since the processes behind evolution hadn’t been discovered yet—and the age of the Earth was still widely debated—they believed the remains belonged to mythical beings such as fire-breathing dragons, centaurs, cyclopes, and other legendary monsters.

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Tales of mermaids—half-human, half-fish beings—have captivated sailors for centuries. For a long time, rugged explorers of the seas reported encounters with these fantastical creatures, though no evidence of their existence ever surfaced. Today, it’s believed that such sightings may have been inspired by encounters with manatees or dugongs—aquatic mammals whose gentle, flowing movements could easily spark the imagination. Now, how drunk would you have to be to mistake a manatee for a beautiful mermaid? Let’s just leave it at that.

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Comets have always been awe-inspiring phenomena, but in the past, they also often triggered panic and bizarre beliefs. During the 1910 approach of Halley’s Comet, the first spectroscopic analysis of its tail led to widespread hysteria when it revealed the presence of the toxic gas cyanogen. A misquotation of famed astronomer Camille Flammarion—claiming the gas "would impregnate the atmosphere and possibly snuff out all life on the planet"—was widely circulated in the press. Soon, people around the world were panic-buying gas masks and all sorts of quack products in a desperate attempt to save themselves.

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In the 19th century, settlers moving westward in the United States were lured by the belief that cultivating the land would increase rainfall in arid regions—a long-debunked notion known as "rain follows the plow." The idea gained traction as farmers noticed that rainfall often coincided with their cultivation efforts. However, thorough scientific research has since disproved this myth, attributing any perceived increase in precipitation to natural climate variability rather than human activity.

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The long-discredited medical theory of "maternal impression" suggested that a pregnant woman's thoughts, emotions, or experiences could influence the physical appearance or characteristics of her unborn child. This belief was widespread in various cultures throughout history and often led to practices such as avoiding certain foods or activities during pregnancy. However, with the development of modern genetic theory, this notion was firmly refuted.

GREATEST STYLE HITS

You Probably Wore These: 10 Decade-Defining Fashion Trends!

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We know that keeping pace with the speed of fashion's evolution can be challenging. However, in the wide range of trends that emerged across the decades, some stood out, leaving a mark and defining an era.

Quoting Heraclitus' wisdom, we can think of fashion as the water of a river: it's ever-changing. And while there will always be comebacks, trends never return quite the same, but with a twist that transforms each of them into something unique.

From the popular miniskirts to the different styles of jeans, let's venture on a journey through fashion history, recalling 10 iconic trends that undoubtedly found a place in our closets. We bet you've worn some of these at one point!

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Although they emerged among military pilots and aviators in the first decade of the 20th century, it wasn't until the defiant 1950s that leather jackets elevated to fashion icon status.

Worn primarily as a statement of style and rebellion, especially among young men, leather jackets became the ultimate symbol of cool. And that was, in part, thanks to iconic bad boys of the silver screen, such as Marlon Brando in "The Wild One" (1953), and music legends like the one and only Elvis Presley.

To this day, our closets still shelter this kind of jacket that resists the passage of time and defies the whims of fleeting fashions.

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Originally appearing in ancient times as a type of military headgear, pillbox hats made a modern comeback in the 1930s. They gained widespread popularity among European royals, becoming a symbol of elegance and style.

But it wasn't until the early 1960s that pillbox hats captured worldwide attention. This was thanks to the admired First Lady Jackie Kennedy and her impeccable fashion sense.

Jackie made these hats her staple. And, you know, her influence cut deep, since every woman wanted to imitate her, leading to a widespread fashion frenzy across America.

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The miniskirt has undoubtedly revolutionized the fashion world. Emerging in the early 1960s, this garment quickly became an icon of style, particularly reaching its peak in the UK by the mid-decade. While some manifestations of above-the-knee skirts had appeared throughout history, it was the visionary work of British fashion designer Mary Quant that catapulted the mini into the mainstream.

Since its popularization over 60 years ago, the miniskirt has proven its indisputable power, constantly reinventing itself with each resurgence.

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While bell bottoms or flared pants may be familiar to most of us, the story behind the conception of these garments dives deep into the world of sailors, an origin that few know about.

At the very beginning of the 19th century, sailors boasted distinctive pants that flared from the knee, ending in the iconic bell-bottom shape we know today.

However, it wasn't until the late 1960s and early 1970s, with the rise of the hippie and counterculture movements, that bell bottoms experienced a major revival. This time around, they reached a wider audience, adapting to a variety of styles and becoming an unmistakable symbol of the era, transcending all ages and genders!

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Spandex jumped into the spotlight during the fitness frenzy of the late 1970s and early 1980s. From tights and shorts to bodysuits, spandex abounded not only in gyms but also on the streets and nightclubs.

As with other famous trends, superstars helped drive the spandex boom. Icons like Jane Fonda and Blondie’s vocalist Debbie Harry, are a clear example. But the one that most contributed to its popularity and definitely solidified her reign as the queen of spandex was the unforgettable Olivia Newton-John in the music video for "Physical" and the classic movie "Grease" (1978).

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Who could forget Jennifer Beals' final audition scene in Flashdance? It is etched in our memories, right? But it wasn't just her awesome dance moves that captivated an entire generation; her outfit made quite the impression too.

The leggings and that voluminous hairstyle were undeniably gorgeous, but it was those famous leg warmers that truly stole the show.

They were originally crafted to protect dancers' legs and ankles against potential injuries. But thanks to movies like "Fame" (1980) and "Flashdance" (1983), coupled with the influence of Jane Fonda's workout videos, leg warmers became an omnipresent fashion statement. Young people everywhere adopted them; what a feeling!

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Plaid has always been around, from its emergence in Scotland many years ago to the present day. However, it experienced a couple of notorious peaks during the tumultuous 20th century worth pointing out.

In the late 1970s, Daisy from "The Dukes of Hazzard" famously tied a plaid shirt above her waist, sparking a fashion trend that fascinated an entire generation.

Then, during the wild 1990s, plaid was back in the spotlight. Far from its monarchy-related origins, the plaid flannel shirt became a symbol of the grunge movement, worn by members and fans of bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana.

But the real boom came with the movie "Clueless" (1995), which catapulted the plaid suit to worldwide fame.

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Nowadays, many women have declared tight low-rise jeans fully extinct, but by the late 1990s and early 2000s, this type of pants dominated the fashion scene everywhere.

Also known as low-cut jeans, they epitomized the era. While men sported wide and loose low-rise pants, often revealing glimpses of their underwear, women opted for tighter-fitting styles that hugged their lower hips, often paired with crop tops that exposed their belly buttons.

Madonna, the Spice Girls, and Britney Spears (who still prefers them) were among its greatest exponents. Just take a look at red carpet shows of that era; you'll spot this type of jeans everywhere!

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Also originating hundreds of years ago, platform shoes have had their share of ups and downs throughout history.

However, platforms are mostly associated with one of their most famous moments: the 1970s. Worn by both women and men, platform sandals and boots were the epitome of cool, and the higher the platform, the better.

Maybe you remember one of their more recent revivals. Around 2010, young women began embracing platforms again, as they seemed more comfortable than high heels for a long night out. This time, the trend didn't quite reach men, who cleverly stuck with sneakers for all their looks.

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While already familiar to all 1970s and 1980s fashionistas, the oversize style has made a comeback in recent years, once again captivating young people.

These days, it seems like almost every garment is part of this trend. T-shirts, shirts, pants, jackets, blazers, and even dresses can all be worn a few sizes larger for that cool, relaxed look. The key lies in how you combine them.

According to fashion specialists, the current era is defined by a shift away from tight-fitting garments in favor of comfort, all while maintaining a strong sense of style.