15 Historical Facts That Will Disturb You

This paragraph delves into the unsettling history of dentures, highlighting how they were made from human teeth, ivory, wood, and even animal teeth in the past. It mentions 'Waterloo teeth,' a term for teeth taken from fallen soldiers at the Battle of Waterloo, and the practice of poor people selling their teeth for quick money. The paragraph also touches on the use of lead in stained glass painting in churches, which may contain traces of urine used as a diluter for metallic oxides.

The paragraph discusses the historical practice of anthropodermic bibliography, where human skin was used to bind books and texts. It describes how the skin of executed convicts and criminals was used for this purpose, and although not many such books are in circulation today, the paragraph invites readers to imagine the number that might have existed and the potential reactions of those individuals in the afterlife.

This section tells the story of Minnie Dean, the first and only woman to be legally hanged in New Zealand. Known for running a babysitting operation, Minnie's care led to the death of several infants, which eventually prompted investigations. The findings revealed that Minnie had been taking out life insurance on the children and had allegedly drugged them. She was found guilty of murder and executed, leaving a lasting mark on New Zealand folklore and the reputation of nannies.

The paragraph recounts the story of the American flag's redesign by a high school student, Robert Heft. Despite his teacher's initial disapproval of his inclusion of 50 stars for then-future states, Heft's flag design was eventually chosen as the official flag. The story highlights the perseverance of a young inventor and the recognition of his work, even after initial setbacks.

This section discusses Pope Gregory IX's belief that cats were carriers of Satan's spirit, leading to a widespread extermination of cats during his reign. This practice is linked to the spread of the plague, as the reduction of cats allowed rat populations, and consequently flea populations, to grow unchecked. The narrative illustrates the unintended consequences of religious fervor and the impact on public health and the environment.

The paragraph reveals a lesser-known side of the famous composer Mozart, who wrote several songs with vulgar and inappropriate themes. Despite his reputation for高雅 music, Mozart's early compositions included titles like 'Lek Mick I'm Arsh' ('Lick me in the ass') and songs about defecation, showing a more risqué side to the classical maestro.

This section discusses the paradoxical environmental legacy of Genghis Khan, whose conquests and the resulting depopulation of large areas inadvertently led to reforestation and a reduction in carbon emissions. The Mongol Empire's actions are estimated to have caused a significant drop in global temperatures, making Genghis Khan a unique historical figure in terms of climate change.

The paragraph recounts a disturbing episode involving a member of the Jameson whiskey family, who witnessed and documented a cannibalistic act during an expedition in the Congo. The account details how John Jameson paid for a young girl to be fed to cannibals and sketched the event, leaving a dark stain on the whiskey brand's history.

This section tells the story of Martin Cooney, who played a key role in popularizing incubators for premature babies. Despite the high cost and initial resistance from the medical community, Cooney's controversial method of displaying premature infants in incubators at Coney Island helped raise funds and awareness, ultimately saving over 6,500 lives.

The paragraph describes the unusual practices of Pharaoh Pepi II, who had a strong aversion to flies and bugs. To avoid them, he kept naked slaves covered in honey to attract the insects. This practice led to the slaves suffering from sores, boils, and diseases like cholera and malaria, reflecting the extreme measures taken by the pharaoh to protect himself from pests.

This section reveals Adolf Hitler's fondness for Disney films, particularly 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' despite his ban on American movies in Germany. Hitler reportedly had a private copy of the film delivered to his theater and even had drawings of Disney characters. The story highlights the complex and sometimes contradictory aspects of historical figures.

The final paragraph discusses the devastating Leningrad famine during World War II, when the city was cut off from supplies by Nazi forces. The prolonged blockade led to a severe reduction in the city's population due to starvation, hypothermia, and even cannibalism. The paragraph emphasizes the harsh realities of war and the extreme measures people were driven to for survival.