Johann H
Education is designed to equip us with the knowledge we can carry into adulthood. However, as research advances and new discoveries are made, some of those once-accepted truths become outdated myths. Here are 30 facts you learned in school that are no longer true.
Diamond is The Hardest Material
While diamonds are the hardest natural substance, materials like wurtzite boron nitride, and graphene are harder. Wurtzite boron nitride is used to make grinding or cutting tools.
Dinosaurs Were Killed By a Volcanic Eruption
For years, students learned that a volcanic eruption caused the extinction of dinosaurs. Modern research, based on evidence discovered in the 1990s, suggests that an asteroid impact is the more likely cause.
Mount Everest is the Tallest Mountain
Although Mount Everest has the highest altitude above sea level, the title of the tallest mountain belongs to Mauna Kea in Hawaii when measured from its base below the ocean.
Neanderthals Were Dumb
Neanderthals were once seen as unintelligent, but recent discoveries reveal they were skilled toolmakers and resourceful hunters, which shows they had advanced cognitive abilities.
No Conjunctions At the Start of a Sentence
Older grammatical rules discouraged starting sentences with “and” or “but.” Today, many linguists accept this usage, which reflects modern, relaxed language conventions.
You Can’t Fold Paper More Than Seven Times
The notion that paper can’t be folded more than seven times has been proven wrong. Students have folded paper up to 11 times using large sheets, setting records.
The Great Wall of China Can be Seen from Space
Contrary to what was once taught, the Great Wall cannot be seen from space with the bare eye. Although satellite images can reveal certain sections, they are not visible to astronauts.
The “Missing Link” in Evolution
For many years, scientists searched for the “missing link” in human evolution. The discovery of Ida, a fossil in Germany, has filled this gap, which now makes this phrase outdated.
There are Four Oceans
In the year 2000, the Southern Ocean was officially recognized as the fifth ocean surrounding Antarctica. This challenges the idea that only four oceans existed.
Common World Maps
The Mercator map used in most schools distorts the size of continents. Africa, for example, is depicted as much smaller than it really is, altering our geographical understanding.
Time Travel Is Impossible
Once dismissed as impossible, time travel may be theoretically feasible due to the discovery of gravitational waves, which could potentially be manipulated to move through time.
You Can’t Split Infinitives
The rule against splitting infinitives, as in “to boldly go,” has faded. Linguists now recognize that split infinitives are common in everyday language and acceptable in most writing.
George Washington Had Wooden Teeth
George Washington’s dentures weren’t made from wood but from materials like ivory, gold, and lead. His false teeth even included human and animal teeth, which debunks the wooden dentures myth.
King Tutankhamen Was Murdered
The idea that Tutankhamun was murdered has been refuted. Modern analysis suggests he likely died from injuries sustained in a chariot accident or possibly from genetic issues.
States of Matter
Schoolbooks taught us about solids, liquids, and gasses, but there are at least five states of matter, including plasma and Bose-Einstein condensates, discovered in modern science.
Burning Women During Salem Witch Trials
Women accused of witchcraft weren’t burned at the stake during the Salem witch trials like it’s depicted in books and movies. Instead, convicted “witches” were hanged, contradicting the common misconception.
Hair and Fingernails Grow Even After Death
The belief that hair and nails continue growing after death is a misconception. Once a person passes away, blood circulation halts, stopping the cells responsible for hair and nail growth.
Dinosaurs Looked Like Lizards
Many dinosaurs had feathers, not scales, as once thought. Fossils now show that some species had fluffy, colorful feathers, changing how we visualize these ancient creatures.
Pluto Isn’t a Planet (and Then It Was Again)
Pluto was removed from planet status in 2006 and reclassified as a “dwarf planet.” This caused controversy among students who had learned it as the ninth planet in the solar system.
We Might Have More Than Eight Planets
Astronomers have discovered potential dwarf planets beyond Pluto, and Planet X remains a hypothesis. It leaves open the possibility of more celestial bodies in our solar system.
Toilets Flush in Different Directions
The Coriolis effect doesn’t influence how water flushes in toilets. Its direction is determined by the design of the plumbing, not Earth’s rotation.
Vikings Wore Horned Helmets
The popular image of Vikings wearing horned helmets is a 19th-century myth. There’s no evidence from Viking-era artifacts that they wore helmets with horns. However, they did wear armor.
Dinosaurs Are Extinct
Dinosaurs didn’t all die out—birds are their living descendants. Species like pigeons and seagulls carry direct genetic links to ancient dinosaurs, which changes our understanding of extinction.
Bats Are Blind
The belief that bats are blind is false. Most bats have excellent vision, though they rely heavily on echolocation to navigate their surroundings in the dark. This is how bats hunt for food.
Humans Only Use 10% of Their Brains
The idea that we use only 10% of our brains is completely false. Neuroimaging shows that we use all parts of our brain, even during simple tasks like writing, walking, or drawing.
Napoleon Was a Short Man
Napoleon was mistakenly believed to be short because of the differences in French and British measurements. He was actually 5’7″ (average for his time).
Gum Staying in Your Stomach
Chewing gum doesn’t remain in your stomach for seven years if swallowed. While it’s not digested, it passes through the digestive system like any other food like meat and carrots.
Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice
Despite the common saying, lightning can strike the same place multiple times, especially tall structures like skyscrapers. These structures are protected using lightning rods.
Brontosaurus isn’t a Real Dinosaur
For years, the Brontosaurus was dismissed as a mislabeled Apatosaurus. Recent research, however, shows the two are distinct species, reviving the Brontosaurus’ status as a real dinosaur.
Blood is Blue Inside Your Body
The myth that blood is blue inside the body until it comes in contact with air is incorrect. Blood is always red, though veins can appear blue due to how light penetrates the skin. They can also appear green.
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