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Across the span of human history, individuals have embraced a myriad of odd and extraordinary beliefs. This tendency arises from our natural curiosity and boundless imagination. We’ve always been storytellers, crafting myths and legends to make sense of the world. Yet, this creative impulse has also given rise to unfounded superstitions and practices. Take bloodletting, for instance—a once-popular remedy believed to treat fevers, inflammation, and even mental disorders. While we now recognize its dangers, it was widely accepted in its time, as you’ll discover further ahead.
Regardless of the era, humanity has consistently sought to comprehend the mysteries of existence. Fortunately, advancements in technology and science have enabled us to distinguish truth from myth. In this list, you’ll explore the peculiar and often astonishing beliefs our ancestors held as truths. From bizarre rituals to curious misconceptions, these ten examples will leave you pondering: what current beliefs might future generations deem absurd?
10. Lambs That Grew... on Plants?
In the Middle Ages, a peculiar belief took root that cotton imported from India originated from a plant that bore tiny lambs. Yes, you heard correctly—these so-called “vegetable lambs” were said to be connected to the plant by an umbilical cord. This fantastical idea was popularized by Sir John Mandeville in the 14th century. He claimed that a plant in Tartary (modern-day Russia and Mongolia) produced gourds containing miniature lambs, a tale that captivated imaginations for centuries.
Mandeville’s travel accounts were largely rooted in hearsay, with much of his writing being either fabricated or embellished. Despite this, the myth of the vegetable lamb evolved into another version. This iteration suggested that the lambs would perish after devouring all the nutrients around their pod or fall prey to wolves. Other authors later claimed to have witnessed these vegetable lambs firsthand, though such sightings were entirely fictional. Nevertheless, the belief endured well into the 17th century.
Fortunately, it is now widely accepted that the vegetable lamb was merely a medieval legend. Modern science provides no evidence to support its existence. Experts speculate that the myth likely stemmed from a misunderstanding of the origins of cotton and wool. The importation of cotton from far-off regions and the association of wool with sheep may have fueled the idea of a plant that birthed lamb-like creatures.
9. Neglecting to Wash…
In earlier times, medical practitioners had no knowledge of germ theory, resulting in poor hygiene practices and alarmingly high patient mortality rates. Doctors would perform autopsies on deceased individuals and then assist in live births without proper sanitation. This led to severe infections and life-threatening complications for mothers.
This grim practice persisted until the 1840s, when Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis made a critical observation. After a colleague died from an infection caused by a cut sustained during an autopsy, Semmelweis deduced that the lack of hygiene among doctors was a major factor in the high mortality rates.
Semmelweis introduced a policy requiring doctors to wash their hands between patient interactions. Almost immediately, this led to a significant drop in mortality rates at his hospital. However, despite his attempts to share this breakthrough with the broader medical community, he faced considerable opposition. His publication on the topic was poorly articulated, which hindered its acceptance. It wasn’t until Florence Nightingale championed the cause of handwashing in 1860 that the practice gained global recognition.
The advent of germ theory shortly afterward reinforced the critical role of handwashing. It quickly became a standard procedure in hospitals around the world. Today, this straightforward yet vital practice has prevented countless deaths and remains a cornerstone of medical hygiene. Ignaz Semmelweis’s groundbreaking observations and determination to challenge the norms of his time laid the foundation for this life-saving practice.
8. The Era of Bloodletting
Bloodletting involved the use of leeches or incisions to drain blood from the body. It was a widely accepted medical treatment until the late 19th century, based on the mistaken belief that many diseases stemmed from an overabundance of blood. Removing blood was thought to restore health, but the practice was not only ineffective—it often worsened patients’ conditions.
Despite its lack of efficacy, bloodletting grew in popularity during the 1800s. In France, an estimated 42 million leeches were imported annually for this purpose. Barbers and caregivers typically applied the leeches, with some patients enduring up to 100 leeches in a single session. To encourage the leeches to attach, caregivers used sugar water, milk, or even blood as bait.
The soaring demand for leeches caused a global shortage and a sharp rise in their prices. This scarcity forced caregivers to devise inventive methods to prolong the life of leeches, such as feeding them raw meat or using brandy to sustain them.
It wasn’t until the late 1820s that physicians began to publicly oppose bloodletting. This marked a pivotal moment in medical history, signaling the decline of a centuries-old practice that was ultimately found to be both ineffective and dangerous. Thankfully, this practice has been abandoned in modern times.
7. Newton’s Biblical Beliefs
Isaac Newton remains one of the most influential figures in scientific history. Beyond his groundbreaking work in physics and mathematics, he harbored a deep interest in alchemy. His passion was so intense that he constructed his own furnaces to conduct alchemical experiments.
Newton also authored numerous works on alchemy, firmly convinced that one substance could be transformed into another. He used coded language to shield his theories from outsiders. While his ideas have since been debunked, many of his writings now appear more akin to occult or religious manuscripts than scientific studies.
Newton’s peculiar beliefs didn’t end there! He genuinely believed in the existence of the philosopher’s stone and actively pursued it. Additionally, he was deeply religious and interpreted the Bible literally. He spent considerable time searching for a hidden code within the Bible, which he believed would offer salvation for humanity before God’s prophesied return.
After extensive study of biblical texts, Newton predicted that the world would meet its end in 2060, preceded by a catastrophic apocalypse. Since 2060 hasn’t arrived yet, his theory remains unproven. However, history is filled with failed predictions of religious apocalypses, and Newton’s may well join that list.
6. Orgasms and Cosmic Energy?
Wilhelm Reich, a psychoanalyst and advocate for sexual liberation, proposed that orgasms were driven by a cosmic energy he called “orgone.” He claimed this energy flowed through the universe and that a fulfilling orgasm could free an individual, while a poor one could trap them in their own mind.
In 1930s and 1940s Nazi Germany, Reich’s ideas on sexual freedom were unwelcome, prompting him to flee to New York. There, his theories gained traction among the marginalized left. He even created the “Orgone Energy Accumulator,” a device he claimed harnessed orgone energy. While progressives celebrated it, conservatives viewed it with suspicion. Remarkably, some still believe in its power today, even as Reich’s broader theories have been largely dismissed.
By the 1950s, the tide had turned against Reich. His theories branded him a communist sympathizer, and the FDA targeted him for selling Orgone Accumulators. They ordered the destruction of all related materials and devices. When Reich defied this order, he was arrested and sentenced to federal prison. He died unexpectedly in 1957, alone and behind bars.
Reich’s journey from being an adversary of Fascist Europe to a foe of the U.S. government was a whirlwind of controversy. His radical views on sexual liberation and orgone energy were at the heart of it all. Despite his imprisonment and contentious ideas, his legacy endures. To this day, his impact on Western sexual liberation remains a topic of intense discussion.
5. Orgasms and Mental Illness?
In the early 1900s, many physicians believed women lacked sexual desire, and female orgasms were seen as a problem to be fixed. Experts at the time dismissed the importance of female sexuality to mental and physical health. Sigmund Freud, a prominent figure, even claimed clitoral stimulation could cause psychosis in women. This belief led to countless women being institutionalized.
Women who couldn’t achieve vaginal orgasms were deemed unstable or overly masculine, with some even labeled as lesbians—a condition then classified as a mental illness. This harmful view of female sexuality and orgasms was widespread in Western societies during that era.
To address the alleged issue of female “hysteria” or sexual frustration, the vibrator was created. Doctors employed it as a “treatment” to alleviate women’s supposed hysteria. This practice perpetuated the notion that women were merely passive participants in sexual matters. Physicians insisted that women were incapable of genuine sexual desire.
Fortunately, modern understanding recognizes the significant mental and physical health benefits of orgasms for women. This knowledge has helped dismantle the myths and stigmas once associated with female sexuality. Today, women can freely embrace and enjoy their sexuality—despite Freud’s outdated views.
4. Train Travel and Women’s Health Fears
Historically, new technological innovations have often been met with fear and skepticism. In today’s world, concerns about artificial intelligence and 5G are no different. However, this apprehension dates back to the Industrial Revolution.
When locomotives were introduced in the late 19th century, many feared that the high speeds (a mere 50 mph or 80 km/h at the time) could cause women’s uteruses to dislodge. Doctors claimed women were too delicate for such rapid travel, and society was terrified of the potential consequences.
There was also a widespread belief that the human body—regardless of gender—could literally melt if subjected to such high speeds. Train passengers were advised to limit their trips, as frequent travel was thought to cause dangerous health imbalances and even drive individuals to madness.
Today, we recognize these fears as utterly baseless. However, they highlight how societal “moral panics” often arise when new technologies challenge our understanding of time and space. Does this sound familiar in the context of modern technological advancements?
3. Earth Isn’t the Center of the Universe
Until the 2nd century, it was commonly accepted that Earth stood at the center of the universe. Ancient thinkers, including Aristotle and Ptolemy, supported this geocentric model, as did early Christian teachings, which held that God placed Earth at the center to signify its uniqueness. Without advanced tools to challenge this view, it remained unchallenged for centuries.
As scientific knowledge advanced, the geocentric model was eventually debunked. The heliocentric model, which places the sun at the center of the solar system, gained prominence. This shift was propelled by breakthroughs like Galileo’s telescope, which provided evidence to support the new understanding of celestial mechanics.
As scientific understanding of the solar system deepened, humanity began to grasp how celestial bodies interact. The heliocentric model remains the cornerstone of astronomical science to this day.
2. The Cosmos Aren’t Frozen, Either
In 1912, Hanns Hörbiger and Philip Fauth proposed a controversial theory that the universe, including planets, stars, and even humans, was composed of ice. They argued that the Milky Way galaxy formed when a massive star collided with a water-filled dead star, creating ice that shaped galaxies and solar systems.
Initially, the scientific community rejected this theory due to its lack of mathematical or physical evidence. Hörbiger dismissed these critiques, claiming calculations could be misleading, and warned that opponents would be treated as adversaries. Despite widespread skepticism, he sought to popularize his theory, hoping public endorsement would compel scientific acceptance.
While mainstream science rejected Hörbiger’s ideas, they found favor among certain extremist groups. The Nazis, gaining power in Germany by the late 1920s, embraced his theory as superior to those of Jewish scientists. This alignment with anti-Semitic ideologies helped the theory gain traction in post-World War I Germany.
The Nazis fully embraced Hörbiger’s theories, along with other disturbing ideologies. Adolf Hitler and other Nazi leaders believed his ideas had racial significance, asserting that the Aryan race was superior because it was supposedly composed of ice. This absurd claim was just one of many used to justify their horrific beliefs.
1. The Sun Isn’t a Fiery Star
The sun is vital for life on Earth, providing the heat and light necessary for survival. However, its surface is inhospitable to living beings. While this seems obvious today, it wasn’t in 1795. William Herschel, the astronomer who discovered Uranus, proposed a strange theory that the sun was not a star but a massive planet.
Herschel argued that if other planets could support life, the sun might as well. He believed the sun was cold, covered in a glowing material or perhaps a highly reflective ocean capable of sustaining life adapted to its brightness.
Herschel based his theory on newly observed sunspots, suggesting they were either points beyond the sun’s atmosphere or rocky peaks revealed by ocean tides. Despite his reputation, the scientific community dismissed his ideas. While the public briefly entertained his theory, it never gained scientific acceptance—then or now.
Today, it is widely understood that the sun is a star, not a planet, and it burns with immense heat rather than being cold. Sunspots are now known to result from the sun’s magnetic activity, not from oceans or mountain peaks. Despite Herschel’s incorrect theory, his significant contributions to astronomy remain undeniable. After all, everyone makes mistakes—even brilliant minds.
