Oops!

How did the Seventh Commandment cost these printers $30,000?

Image: Florian Klauer

Blunders are part of life. As human beings, we can all make mistakes, especially when writing or typing. A simple slip of the fingers on the keyboard might be nothing more than a joke among friends, but throughout history, there have been some typos that meant much more than that, from millions of dollars lost to huge controversies and scandals. If you want to know which mistakes could have led to such consequences, here are 10 of the most notorious typos in history!

Image: Yifu Wu

The title of this entry is not a new or unknown word but a typo in the inscriptions of one of the most important monuments of our country.

We're talking about none other than the Lincoln Memorial, the landmark honoring our 16th president in Washington, D.C. Built between 1914 and 1922, the memorial has part of President Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address -delivered on March 4, 1865- inscribed on its north interior wall. But a mistake occurred during the engraving: the word "future" was carved as "euture."

The extra line that turned that F into an E was filled in and fixed. However, if you get close enough, you can still see traces of that original E on the monument wall.

Image: Shutter Speed

Have you ever read the word "dord"? Do you know what it means? Probably not, and it's not because your vocabulary is lacking but because no one knows!

"Dord" is a fake or ghost word that appeared in the 1934 international edition of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. One of the editors mistakenly interpreted a note that said "D or d." The note indicated that "D" or "d" should be used as abbreviations in certain parts of the dictionary, but the editor read that note as a whole word: Dord.

The term appeared in the dictionary for several years until another editor noticed the error and removed it.

Image: Brett Jordan

Probably the most famous website in the world, Google got its iconic name due to a typo.

When Larry Page and Sergey Brin were creating the company, they chose the word "googol" as the name for their search engine. But what does it mean? "Googol" is the mathematical term for the number 10 raised to the power of 100.

However, when they first typed it in to register the domain, they accidentally entered "Google." Luckily, they loved the typo and decided to keep it; the rest is history!

Image: Aaron Burden

What if we told you that there's a Bible that reads, "You shall commit adultery." Believe it or not, in 1631, a Bible was published in London that incorrectly listed that phrase as the Seventh Commandment. Of course, that wasn't an actual religious principle but an accidental omission of the word "not."

That Bible caused a scandal in Europe, receiving nicknames such as "the wicked Bible," "the adulterers' Bible," and "the sinners' Bible." Because it was so controversial, the British government ordered all copies to be destroyed, which is why only a few exist today. In addition, the printers were fined 300 pounds, about 30,000 dollars in today's money.

Image: David Torres

If it hadn't been for an error in a spacecraft's guidance system, perhaps we would know more about Venus, the hottest planet in our Solar System.

The mistake we're talking about was a missed hyphen in the spacecraft's software code. Although this may not seem like a big deal, the consequence of that typo was huge: The 1962 Mariner 1 mission, which was launched with the intention of orbiting Venus, lost contact with Earth shortly after launch!

Surprisingly, a simple missed hyphen caused an entire mission to fail.

Image: Quino Al

NASA may have lost thousands of dollars due to their mistake, but there had been others who got exactly the opposite.

In the 1980s, a woman earned 10,000 dollars due to a typo! It was the owner of a travel agency who chose to promote her business in the Yellow Pages, but something went wrong. The ad came out with a misspelled word: instead of promoting the agency's "exotic trips," it advertised "erotic trips."

The woman decided to sue the Yellow Pages publisher for the damages her company received, and she won!

Image: Rens D

Remember Popeye the Sailor? He had a secret to super strength: spinach! Today, we know that spinach is much like other green leafy vegetables, but for years, it was believed to have extraordinary qualities. And it was all because of a typo!

In the 19th century, a German chemist was nutritionally analyzing spinach. But when it came time to write down the results, he made a mistake. He meant to write that spinach contains 3.5 milligrams of iron per 100 grams. Instead, he accidentally wrote that it contains 35 milligrams! Later, the myth gained even more strength thanks to Popeye's amusing adventures.

Image: Maurice DT

As we've seen in this article, prestigious institutions can also make mistakes sometimes. That was the case with the National Hockey League in 1972.

The Stanley Cup is one of the oldest trophies in the NHL, characterized by something special: it's engraved with the names of the players, coaches, and owners of all the winning teams. However, the trophy is also known for having several typos.

When the Boston Bruins won the Cup in 1972, they didn't expect what would happen next. Their team name was misspelled on the silver cup, which curiously read "BQSTQN BRUINS"!

Image: Esther Ní Dhonnacha

We all have a deep appreciation for our Constitution, the document that defined the ideas and principles that formed our nation. But even in a paper as important as this one, you can find some peculiar details.

In the original US Constitution, you can read the word "Pensylvania." As you can see, the state's name is missing an N. According to the National Archives official website, the author of this detail was none other than Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. From the 18th century on, the most commonly accepted spelling was and still is "Pennsylvania," making the word in the document a grammatical error according to today's standards.

However, when the Constitution was drafted, it wasn't a typo, as "Pensylvania" was actually an accepted spelling back then.

Image: Dan Mall

The US Constitution is not the only site where Pennsylvania's name is spelled differently: the iconic Liberty Bell bears a similar "typo."

The great bell of more than 2,000 pounds is inscribed with a Bible verse and the words, "By Order of the Assembly of the Province of Pensylvania for the State House in Philada." The word "Pensylvania" is typed just like in the Constitution. As you know, the name of the state wasn't standardized at that time, so there were also other accepted ways, including the less frequent "Pennsilvania."

If you visit the Liberty Bell at the Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, you can still read the word as it was written then.

Stay on course

Never get lost again: 10 survival and navigation hacks

Image: Denise Jans

Who hasn’t lost their bearings, at least momentarily, during a hike through unfamiliar terrain? Whether in the wilderness or the urban jungle, even seasoned explorers can sometimes get turned around. With the right tips, though, you can confidently stay on course. Here we’ve gathered some of the most practical advice, from natural navigation techniques to modern tech tools, to ensure you avoid walking in circles on your next adventure. Stay calm, stay prepared, and enjoy the journey!

Image: Denise Jans

You can use the sun's position to easily determine your general direction. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, and, in the Northern Hemisphere, travels slightly southward throughout the day.

Observing its position can give you a rough sense of cardinal directions. At midday, the sun is due south. You can also use a watch as an improvised compass: point the hour hand at the sun and halfway between that and 12 o'clock gives you south.

Image: Klemen Vrankar

Lost after dark? Let the night sky guide you! In the Northern Hemisphere, find Polaris (North Star) by locating the Big Dipper; the two stars at the end of its "bowl" point directly to Polaris.

In the Southern Hemisphere, use the Southern Cross constellation to locate the south. This method has been trusted by travelers for centuries, especially among sailors and desert nomads, when maps weren’t an option.

Image: Drew Walker

Always plan ahead. This advice goes beyond just avoiding getting lost —it can help you navigate and stay out of trouble in many situations. Always carry a physical map when traveling, especially in remote areas. Familiarize yourself with key landmarks and, if possible, mark your path as you go.

By plotting points and taking note of terrain features, you'll improve your chances of retracing your steps or finding alternative routes if needed. Digital maps are also great but remember that they can often fail without service, and you won’t be able to access them if your battery dies.

Image: Kalen Emsley

Learn to recognize your surroundings. During a challenging hike, it can be tempting to focus solely on the ground beneath your feet, but looking up and taking in your environment can be lifesaving. Pay attention to prominent features such as mountains, rivers, or unique buildings.

Of course, cities are easier to navigate with distinct landmarks like skyscrapers or monuments, while in the wilderness, a unique tree or ridge line can anchor your route. These can serve as reliable waypoints for orientation, so always note their relative position as you travel. As a bonus, you’ll get to enjoy the scenery more!

Image: Aron Visuals

Compasses are timeless tools for finding your way, reliable even in the thickest of fogs. Learn to read one properly, aligning the needle to the north and following your desired bearing. When paired with a map, you’ll find that it’s quite hard to get lost!

Modern versions often include features like altimeters or GPS connectivity, but even the most basic model will help you stay on track and find your way with confidence.

Image: Maël BALLAND

Obviously, if you have access to more modern technology than a humble compass, make the most of it! Today, anyone can have a reasonably reliable GPS system on their phone, helping pinpoint your location with precision within seconds.

Before heading out, familiarize yourself with the features of these systems and test them in familiar areas. Most of these services also allow downloading offline maps for areas with no signal. However, if you are going to rely on electronic devices, remember to keep them charged and carry a backup battery or solar charger for extended trips.

Image: Albert Dehon

Remember Hansel and Gretel? They were onto something—though, as the story shows, literal breadcrumbs aren’t the best choice. When navigating forests, deserts, or areas with few landmarks, leaving your own markers is a smart idea.

Use stacked rocks, tied ribbons, or scratched arrows to mark your path. This technique is especially helpful for retracing your steps or guiding search parties to your location. However, try to remove these markers when you return. Leaving them behind can confuse future hikers and may harm the environment by disturbing the soil and increasing erosion.

Image: Kalen Emsley

Let the land guide you. Although this might sound a bit like a New Age slogan, it couldn’t be more true. Landscapes naturally funnel movement—valleys lead to rivers, and trails often follow ridges.

Learn to spot the patterns, like streams flowing downhill or human paths converging at logical points. This skill reduces wandering and ensures you're headed toward areas of interest or civilization.

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When in doubt, follow your nose! Meaning, of course, that your instincts are often more reliable than you might think. Also, try to remain calm—panic almost always leads to poor decisions.

If disoriented, stop, take deep breaths, and assess. Use tools like maps, compasses, or apps to determine your next move logically. Being mindful of your surroundings improves focus, allowing you to correct mistakes before they escalate.

Image: Lanju Fotografie

If all else fails, and you are utterly and completely lost, your best course of action is to stay in place and signal for help. You can use mirrors, whistles, or bright clothing to attract attention.

Three of any signal—three blasts, flashes, or fires—is the universal distress signal. Helicopters or rescue teams often spot reflected light or vibrant colors from far distances, boosting your chances of being found.