Time is a funny thing. We measure it in seconds, minutes, hours, days, years, and so on, but do we really understand it? History provides countless examples of events and timelines that defy our intuitive sense of how time should work. Here are a few facts that will make you question everything you thought you knew about time.

Cleopatra Lived Closer to the First Moon Landing Than to the Construction of the Great Pyramids

Cleopatra, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, died in 30 BCE. Neil Armstrong’s famous “one small step for man” happened in 1969 CE. This means that Cleopatra was closer in time to witnessing humans walk on the moon than she was to the construction of the Great Pyramids of Giza, which are estimated to have been built around 2580-2560 BCE. This staggering realization highlights how ancient civilizations accomplished remarkable feats of engineering and architecture thousands of years before what we often consider “modern” history.

To put this into further perspective, consider that the time span between the construction of the pyramids and Cleopatra’s reign is roughly equivalent to the timebetween Cleopatra and the present day. This mind-bending fact challenges our assumptions about the pace of progress and the linear nature of time.

The Fax Machine Was Invented Before the First Transcontinental Railroad

The fax machine, a technology we associate with the late 20th century, was actually invented in 1843 by Scottish inventor Alexander Bain. The first transcontinental railroad in the United States, connecting the eastern and western coasts, was completed in 1869. This means that the fax machine, a device capable of transmitting images over long distances, predates the infrastructure that connected the country physically.

This seemingly anachronistic fact underscores the unpredictable nature of technological development. Innovations often emerge before the infrastructure or social conditions that make them widely usable are in place. It also raises questions about how we define “progress” and the relationship between technological advancement and societal change.

Oxford University is Older Than the Aztec Empire

Oxford University, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious academic institutions, was founded in 1096. The Aztec Empire, a powerful Mesoamerican civilization, was founded in 1428. This means that scholars were studying at Oxford for over 300 years before the Aztecs established their empire.

This temporal juxtaposition forces us to reconsider our Eurocentric view of history and acknowledge the rich and complex civilizations that thrived in other parts of the world during periods we often associate with European dominance. It also highlights the long and continuous tradition of intellectual inquiry that has shaped human civilization.

The Last Woolly Mammoth Died After the Pyramids Were Built

Woolly mammoths, iconic Ice Age creatures, are thought to have gone extinct around 4,000 years ago. This means that the last woolly mammoths coexisted with the Egyptian pharaohs who ruled after the pyramids were built.

This fact challenges our perception of prehistory and the vastness of time. It blurs the lines between the ancient world we associate with archaeological discoveries and the more recent past that feels closer to our own time. It also serves as a reminder of the fragility of species and the impact of environmental change on the course of evolution.

There Were Still People Alive Who Remembered the American Civil War When the First World War Started

The American Civil War ended in 1865. World War I began in 1914. This means that there were veterans of the Civil War who lived to see the outbreak of the First World War, a conflict that ushered in a new era of warfare and global politics.

This fact collapses the perceived distance between historical events and brings to life the interconnectedness of generations. It reminds us that the consequences of past conflicts can reverberate for decades and that the experiences of one generation can shape the worldviews of those who follow.

The Nintendo Entertainment System Debuted the Same Year as the Chernobyl Disaster

In 1986, two seemingly unrelated events occurred that had a profound impact on different aspects of society. The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), a groundbreaking home video game console, was released in North America, revolutionizing the entertainment industry and ushering in a new era of interactive media. Meanwhile, in the Soviet Union, the Chernobyl disaster, the worst nuclear accident in history, unfolded, causing widespread environmental contamination and raising concerns about the safety of nuclear power.

The juxtaposition of these events highlights the stark contrasts that can exist within a single year of human history. While one event brought joy and innovation to millions, the other brought tragedy and environmental devastation. It serves as a reminder of the complex and multifaceted nature of progress and the potential for both positive and negative consequences to arise from technological advancements.

Anne Frank and Martin Luther King Jr. Were Born in the Same Year

Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl who hid from the Nazis during World War II and whose diary became a powerful testament to the human spirit, was born in 1929. In the same year, Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights leader who fought for racial equality and social justice in the United States, was also born.

This coincidence highlights the interconnectedness of seemingly disparate historical figures and events. It reminds us that individuals who lived through different experiences and faced different challenges can nevertheless be united by their shared humanity and their impact on the course of history. It also underscores the importance of recognizing the diversity of human experience and the enduring power of individual voices to inspire change.

Switzerland Didn’t Grant Women the Right to Vote Until 1971

Switzerland, a country often associated with neutrality and democracy, did not grant women the right to vote in federal elections until 1971. This means that Swiss women were denied a fundamental democratic right for decades after many other Western countries had embraced universal suffrage.

This fact challenges our assumptions about the pace of social progress and the universality of democratic values. It reminds us that even in seemingly progressive societies, discriminatory practices can persist and that the fight for equality is an ongoing struggle. It also highlights the importance of historical context and the need to critically examine the narratives we construct about the past.

The First Photograph of a Person Was Taken Closer to the Time of the Dinosaurs Than to the Present Day

The first photograph of a person, a blurry image of a man getting his shoes shined on a Parisian street, was taken in 1838. Dinosaurs, on the other hand, went extinct around 66 million years ago. This means that the invention of photography is closer in time to the age of dinosaurs than it is to the present day.

This mind-boggling fact warps our perception of time and challenges our understanding of technological progress. It highlights the exponential rate of innovation in recent centuries and the vastness of geological time that preceded human civilization. It also invites us to reflect on the fleeting nature of our own existence in the grand scheme of things.

The Ottoman Empire Existed During the American Civil War

The Ottoman Empire, a vast and powerful empire that spanned three continents, existed from the late 13th century until 1922. This means that the Ottoman Empire was still a major global power during the American Civil War, a conflict that took place between 1861 and 1865.

This fact disrupts our linear view of history and challenges our assumptions about the relationship between different regions and time periods. It reminds us that the world is a complex and interconnected place, where different cultures and civilizations have coexisted and interacted in unexpected ways throughout history.

The First Flight to the Moon Happened Closer to the Invention of the First Airplane Than to Today

The Wright brothers made history with the first successful airplane flight in 1903. Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon in 1969. This means the groundbreaking moment of human aviation is closer chronologically to the moon landing than the moon landing is to the present day.

This stark comparison serves as a poignant reminder of the rapid acceleration of technological progress in the 20th century. In the span of just 66 years, humanity went from barely achieving powered flight to landing on another celestial body. It’s a testament to the ingenuity and ambition of human beings, and it also underscores the importance of continued investment in scientific research and exploration.

Harvard University Was Founded Before Calculus Was Invented

Harvard University, the oldest institution of higher education in the United States, was founded in 1636. Calculus, a fundamental branch of mathematics with wide-ranging applications in science and engineering, was not invented until the late 17th century by Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz.

This temporal anomaly highlights the evolution of knowledge and the gradual accumulation of intellectual discoveries over time. It also demonstrates the remarkable achievements of early scholars and institutions who laid the groundwork for modern science and technology, even before some of the most fundamental concepts were fully understood.

The Eiffel Tower Was Built Closer to the French Revolution Than to Today

The Eiffel Tower, an iconic symbol of Paris and a marvel of 19th-century engineering, was completed in 1889. The French Revolution, a pivotal event in European history that led to the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic, occurred in 1789.

This fact distorts our perception of time by revealing that the Eiffel Tower, which we often associate with modernity, is closer in time to the tumultuous era of the French Revolution than it is to the present day. It also highlights the enduring legacy of historical events and the ways in which they continue to shape our cultural landscape and collective memory.

The Spanish Flu Pandemic Happened Closer to the Invention of Sliced Bread Than to Today

The Spanish flu pandemic, one of the deadliest pandemics in human history, ravaged the world between 1918 and 1920, claiming tens of millions of lives. Sliced bread, a seemingly mundane invention that revolutionized the food industry, was first commercially produced in 1928.

This surprising fact reminds us that even the most devastating events in human history can be followed by seemingly trivial innovations that have a lasting impact on our daily lives. It also highlights the unpredictable nature of historical change and the ways in which seemingly unrelated events can be interconnected in unexpected ways.

The Last Guillotine Execution in France Took Place After the First Star Wars Movie Was Released

France, a country known for its rich history and cultural contributions, used the guillotine as its official method of execution until 1977. The first Star Wars movie, a groundbreaking science fiction film that captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, was released in 1977.

This jarring juxtaposition of events forces us to confront the darker aspects of human history and the persistence of brutal practices even in seemingly modern societies. It also raises questions about the relationship between cultural progress and technological advancement, and the challenges of achieving a truly humane and just society.

Conclusion

These are just a few examples of the many wild historical facts that challenge our understanding of time. They demonstrate that time is not always linear, that progress is not always predictable, and that the past is often closer than we think. By exploring these temporal anomalies, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of history and the interconnectedness of human experience across time.

Let these facts be a reminder that the past is not a distant, static entity, but a living, breathing force that continues to shape our present and future. By challenging our assumptions about time, we open ourselves up to new perspectives and a deeper understanding of the world around us.