The curious world of bizarre historical anecdotes
History is filled with grand narratives and momentous events, but some of the most intriguing tales are tucked away in the margins, often overlooked. These strange and surprising historical anecdotes offer a quirky perspective on the past, shedding light on the oddities that make our shared history so rich and diverse.
One such story is about Timothy Dexter, an 18th-century American businessman with no formal education who somehow amassed a fortune by making seemingly foolish decisions. Dexter once shipped coal to Newcastle, England, a city already saturated with coal. Surprisingly, his cargo arrived during a miners' strike, and he sold all of it at a premium. Dexter also ordered his ships to transport warming pans to the West Indies, where they were repurposed as molasses ladles and became highly profitable. His bizarre decisions often paid off, earning him a reputation as one of history’s luckiest fools.
In another curious case, the 19th-century French army issued an order for every platoon to carry a live goat to provide fresh milk for the soldiers. This unusual directive was more complicated than expected, leading to logistical chaos and the eventual abandonment of the plan. It’s a reminder that even the most well-intentioned ideas can go hilariously awry when implemented.
Then there is the tale of English King Charles II, who in 1666, during the Great Fire of London, personally helped fight the blaze. Not only did he work side by side with his subjects, but he also directed firefighting operations and organized bucket brigades. His hands-on approach during the disaster won him admiration and showed a different side of monarchal duties, blending royalty with commoner concerns.
Jumping forward in time, we find the unusual story of Violet Jessop, a nurse and ocean liner stewardess who survived the sinkings of the RMS Titanic, HMHS Britannic, and an earlier collision involving RMS Olympic. Nicknamed ‘Miss Unsinkable,’ Jessop’s brushes with maritime disaster are both harrowing and astounding, highlighting a life marked by extraordinary survivals against the odds.
Another peculiar piece of history is the tale of the Great Emu War. In 1932 Australia, emus became a significant problem for farmers in Western Australia, destroying crops and generally wreaking havoc. In response, the government deployed soldiers armed with machine guns in an effort to curb the emu population. The operation proved to be a comical failure as the emus were too fast and scattered for the soldiers to hit effectively, and the birds ultimately won the “war.” This odd event serves as a cautionary tale about underestimating the persistence of nature.
Further back, in ancient Rome, Emperor Caracalla had a notorious method for keeping public discontent at bay: entertaining the masses with free gladiatorial games. But when criticized for his harsh fiscal policies and perceived tyranny, he ordered the execution of a famous gladiator named Batiatus, whom the public adored. Instead of quelling dissent, this act incited outrage and further contributed to his unpopularity, illustrating the unpredictable nature of public sentiment and the perils of leadership by spectacle.
We also can’t ignore the case of Benjamin Lay, an 18th-century Quaker dwarf who became one of the most radical abolitionists of his time. Lay’s conviction against slavery was so intense that he once brought a book filled with red juice, symbolizing the blood of slaves, to a Quaker meeting. During the assembly, he dramatically stabbed it with a sword, causing the red juice to spill out and shock the attendees. Though seen as eccentric, Lay’s unorthodox methods drew attention to the anti-slavery cause and highlighted the power of dramatic protest in social movements.
Even scientific history has its quirks. Consider the tale of Tycho Brahe, a Danish astronomer known for his accurate planetary observations. Brahe wore a prosthetic nose made of metal after losing part of his real nose in a duel. He also had a pet elk that he allegedly trained to drink beer. Unfortunately, the elk died after an incident where it drank too much beer and fell down the stairs. Brahe’s life is a testament to the fascinating, if somewhat bizarre, personalities driving the progress of science.
Lastly, history offers us the curious case of how ketchup was once sold as medicine. In the 1830s, Dr. John Cook Bennett added tomatoes to ketchup, which at the time was more like a fish or mushroom-based concoction. He claimed that the new tomato ketchup could cure ailments like diarrhea and indigestion. While these health claims were obviously exaggerated, this marketing ploy led to the condiment’s rise in popularity, eventually becoming the household staple we know today.
These anecdotes paint a picture of history that’s as vibrant as it is unexpected. They remind us that the past is not just about grand narratives of kings and battles but also about the odd, comical, and sometimes bewildering stories of people pushing the boundaries of what was considered possible (or sensible) in their time.
One such story is about Timothy Dexter, an 18th-century American businessman with no formal education who somehow amassed a fortune by making seemingly foolish decisions. Dexter once shipped coal to Newcastle, England, a city already saturated with coal. Surprisingly, his cargo arrived during a miners' strike, and he sold all of it at a premium. Dexter also ordered his ships to transport warming pans to the West Indies, where they were repurposed as molasses ladles and became highly profitable. His bizarre decisions often paid off, earning him a reputation as one of history’s luckiest fools.
In another curious case, the 19th-century French army issued an order for every platoon to carry a live goat to provide fresh milk for the soldiers. This unusual directive was more complicated than expected, leading to logistical chaos and the eventual abandonment of the plan. It’s a reminder that even the most well-intentioned ideas can go hilariously awry when implemented.
Then there is the tale of English King Charles II, who in 1666, during the Great Fire of London, personally helped fight the blaze. Not only did he work side by side with his subjects, but he also directed firefighting operations and organized bucket brigades. His hands-on approach during the disaster won him admiration and showed a different side of monarchal duties, blending royalty with commoner concerns.
Jumping forward in time, we find the unusual story of Violet Jessop, a nurse and ocean liner stewardess who survived the sinkings of the RMS Titanic, HMHS Britannic, and an earlier collision involving RMS Olympic. Nicknamed ‘Miss Unsinkable,’ Jessop’s brushes with maritime disaster are both harrowing and astounding, highlighting a life marked by extraordinary survivals against the odds.
Another peculiar piece of history is the tale of the Great Emu War. In 1932 Australia, emus became a significant problem for farmers in Western Australia, destroying crops and generally wreaking havoc. In response, the government deployed soldiers armed with machine guns in an effort to curb the emu population. The operation proved to be a comical failure as the emus were too fast and scattered for the soldiers to hit effectively, and the birds ultimately won the “war.” This odd event serves as a cautionary tale about underestimating the persistence of nature.
Further back, in ancient Rome, Emperor Caracalla had a notorious method for keeping public discontent at bay: entertaining the masses with free gladiatorial games. But when criticized for his harsh fiscal policies and perceived tyranny, he ordered the execution of a famous gladiator named Batiatus, whom the public adored. Instead of quelling dissent, this act incited outrage and further contributed to his unpopularity, illustrating the unpredictable nature of public sentiment and the perils of leadership by spectacle.
We also can’t ignore the case of Benjamin Lay, an 18th-century Quaker dwarf who became one of the most radical abolitionists of his time. Lay’s conviction against slavery was so intense that he once brought a book filled with red juice, symbolizing the blood of slaves, to a Quaker meeting. During the assembly, he dramatically stabbed it with a sword, causing the red juice to spill out and shock the attendees. Though seen as eccentric, Lay’s unorthodox methods drew attention to the anti-slavery cause and highlighted the power of dramatic protest in social movements.
Even scientific history has its quirks. Consider the tale of Tycho Brahe, a Danish astronomer known for his accurate planetary observations. Brahe wore a prosthetic nose made of metal after losing part of his real nose in a duel. He also had a pet elk that he allegedly trained to drink beer. Unfortunately, the elk died after an incident where it drank too much beer and fell down the stairs. Brahe’s life is a testament to the fascinating, if somewhat bizarre, personalities driving the progress of science.
Lastly, history offers us the curious case of how ketchup was once sold as medicine. In the 1830s, Dr. John Cook Bennett added tomatoes to ketchup, which at the time was more like a fish or mushroom-based concoction. He claimed that the new tomato ketchup could cure ailments like diarrhea and indigestion. While these health claims were obviously exaggerated, this marketing ploy led to the condiment’s rise in popularity, eventually becoming the household staple we know today.
These anecdotes paint a picture of history that’s as vibrant as it is unexpected. They remind us that the past is not just about grand narratives of kings and battles but also about the odd, comical, and sometimes bewildering stories of people pushing the boundaries of what was considered possible (or sensible) in their time.