Unusual habits of famous historical figures
Throughout history, some of the most renowned figures have had unique habits that add color to their stories. These habits range from quirky to downright odd, but they all offer intriguing insights into the lives of these influential people.
One such figure is Nikola Tesla, the genius inventor known for his work with electricity. Tesla had an obsession with the number three. He would often circle a block three times before entering a building and make sure to have exactly 18 napkins on his table during meals, as 18 is divisible by three. His peculiarities extended to an aversion to pearls; he refused to speak to women wearing them.
Then there's Ludwig van Beethoven, the great composer. Beethoven maintained that his creative juices flowed best when he doused his head with cold water. Each day, he meticulously counted out 60 coffee beans to make his perfect cup of coffee. This routine, odd as it seemed, was part of his daily ritual to foster creativity.
If you thought Beethoven's routines were peculiar, consider Lord Byron, the poet known for his flamboyant lifestyle. Byron owned a bear while studying at Cambridge because he was told he couldn't have a dog. Walking his bear on a leash around campus became a common sight. Byron believed in living outside societal norms, and his bear was his statement against them.
Agatha Christie, the famed mystery writer, had a curiously macabre quirk. She loved to eat apples in the bathtub. Often, she would think up her intricate plots while in the bath, gnawing on an apple. It's said that her bathroom was partial to being the birthplace of many murders on paper.
Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance man, also had his quirks. He was known to sleep in short bursts throughout the day, a method believed to have increased his productivity. This sleep pattern, known as polyphasic sleep, involved taking 20-minute naps every four hours, which he claimed kept his mind sharp for his endless projects.
Salvador Dalí, the eccentric artist, had a bizarre pre-sleep ritual to inspire his surreal works. Dalí would hold a key over a plate while sitting in a chair. As he drifted to sleep, the key would slip from his fingers, crash onto the plate, and wake him. This method, he claimed, allowed him to harness the creativity found at the boundary between wakefulness and sleep.
Benjamin Franklin, one of America's Founding Fathers, had his own set of odd habits. Franklin believed in the benefits of air baths. Each morning, he would sit naked in front of an open window for up to an hour, believing that the exposure to fresh air was good for his health. This was part of his broader interest in self-improvement and personal experimentation.
Let's not forget Charles Dickens, the celebrated author. Dickens had to sleep facing north every night. He believed it improved his writing capabilities. He was also known to touch objects a certain number of times for good luck and would walk around London for hours to clear his mind and find inspiration.
Lastly, we have Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister during World War II, who had a rather unorthodox work habit. Churchill often worked from his bed, complete with a vast array of paperwork and a telephone. He would stay in bed until 11 AM, reading, dictating letters, and conducting meetings. This habit didn't deter his effectiveness; in fact, it might have contributed to his extraordinary leadership during the turbulent war years.
These peculiar habits of historical figures serve as a reminder that genius often walks hand-in-hand with eccentricity. These routines and quirks, while unusual, were integral parts of their lives, potentially fueling their creativity and contributing to their tremendous achievements.
One such figure is Nikola Tesla, the genius inventor known for his work with electricity. Tesla had an obsession with the number three. He would often circle a block three times before entering a building and make sure to have exactly 18 napkins on his table during meals, as 18 is divisible by three. His peculiarities extended to an aversion to pearls; he refused to speak to women wearing them.
Then there's Ludwig van Beethoven, the great composer. Beethoven maintained that his creative juices flowed best when he doused his head with cold water. Each day, he meticulously counted out 60 coffee beans to make his perfect cup of coffee. This routine, odd as it seemed, was part of his daily ritual to foster creativity.
If you thought Beethoven's routines were peculiar, consider Lord Byron, the poet known for his flamboyant lifestyle. Byron owned a bear while studying at Cambridge because he was told he couldn't have a dog. Walking his bear on a leash around campus became a common sight. Byron believed in living outside societal norms, and his bear was his statement against them.
Agatha Christie, the famed mystery writer, had a curiously macabre quirk. She loved to eat apples in the bathtub. Often, she would think up her intricate plots while in the bath, gnawing on an apple. It's said that her bathroom was partial to being the birthplace of many murders on paper.
Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance man, also had his quirks. He was known to sleep in short bursts throughout the day, a method believed to have increased his productivity. This sleep pattern, known as polyphasic sleep, involved taking 20-minute naps every four hours, which he claimed kept his mind sharp for his endless projects.
Salvador Dalí, the eccentric artist, had a bizarre pre-sleep ritual to inspire his surreal works. Dalí would hold a key over a plate while sitting in a chair. As he drifted to sleep, the key would slip from his fingers, crash onto the plate, and wake him. This method, he claimed, allowed him to harness the creativity found at the boundary between wakefulness and sleep.
Benjamin Franklin, one of America's Founding Fathers, had his own set of odd habits. Franklin believed in the benefits of air baths. Each morning, he would sit naked in front of an open window for up to an hour, believing that the exposure to fresh air was good for his health. This was part of his broader interest in self-improvement and personal experimentation.
Let's not forget Charles Dickens, the celebrated author. Dickens had to sleep facing north every night. He believed it improved his writing capabilities. He was also known to touch objects a certain number of times for good luck and would walk around London for hours to clear his mind and find inspiration.
Lastly, we have Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister during World War II, who had a rather unorthodox work habit. Churchill often worked from his bed, complete with a vast array of paperwork and a telephone. He would stay in bed until 11 AM, reading, dictating letters, and conducting meetings. This habit didn't deter his effectiveness; in fact, it might have contributed to his extraordinary leadership during the turbulent war years.
These peculiar habits of historical figures serve as a reminder that genius often walks hand-in-hand with eccentricity. These routines and quirks, while unusual, were integral parts of their lives, potentially fueling their creativity and contributing to their tremendous achievements.