Can the past change? It sounds incredible, but scientists are debating exactly this, with various theories ranging from quantum mechanics to the many-worlds interpretation. If it could, how would it appear to us? The internet is buzzing with wild ideas, so it's time to go over where they originated, and consider in detail what exactly might be causing it.
- Kevin Robbs 0 Comments
A reverse Mandela Effect
MMDE: The source is known for: "What does it do?" "That's the beauty of it, it doesn't do anything!"
Current: The source is not known for: "'What does it do?" "That's the beauty of it, it doesn't do anything!"
Here's a strange reverse Mandela Effect. It's a quote from a movie which many know, but apparently is permanently on the tip of everyone's tongue because the source it came from doesn't exist!
The quote is two people talking to each other: 'What does it do?' 'That's the beauty of it, it doesn't do anything!'. Sound familiar? It's certainly got a Back to the Future kind of movie vibe, a Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy book feeling to it, or maybe even a Far Side cartoon strip style, but searching today doesn't bring up it's true origin. People can picture the two characters speaking, one is usually some kind of investigator and the other a crazy scientist or inventor type. But where is it from?
- James Taylor 0 Comments
Officially canonised?
MMDE: St. Patrick was canonised as a Saint
Current: St. Patrick was not canonised as a Saint
17th March is recognised the world over as St Patricks Day. It's celebrated as the day he died, and also known as his Feast Day. He's the Patron Saint of Ireland and lived in the 5th Century AD, although the exact dates for the year of his birth and death are not known.
The problem? Everyone assumes he's a regular, official Saint like the rest of the famous ones, whereas it turns out he's a little different because he wasn't actually canonised. He appears on the List of Saints, and is known as The Apostle of Ireland, so there's no problem with him actually being accepted and treat as one, it's just that there is a formal process which must be followed for the Catholic Church to officially recognise a saint, and for various historical reasons he didn't go through it.
- Carter Tweed 0 Comments
Anyone remember this song?
Here's the story of a mysterious record from the late 1990's which was certainly a hit with one person who could remember every detail of it, including the words and melody, yet could find no trace of it today.
If a group of people were to remember the song too, it would be classed as a regular Mandela Effect, but it seems only one man, who was called Tyler Gillett, had the memory.
The quest for how he tried to remove this "earworm" was reported in The Guardian and documented on the podcast Reply All from Gimlet. It's episode #159: The Case Of The Missing Hit, which can be heard on Spotify or all quality podcast sources.
It's unusual in that because he could remember the details so well, it was possible to put together a band to record it. Then things got really interesting, but beware if you prefer to find out by listening to the podcast, which is strongly recommended by the way ... spoilers follow!
- Bill Perez 0 Comments
The long and winding road came to an end
MMDE: Late 1960's
Current: Early 1970's
When exactly did The Beatles split up?
Most people say the late 1960's, and some say the early 1970's. It turns out the truth is a little more complicated than either of those. For a start, if we're talking officially then it's 1975. That's because there was a long and drawn out court battle which wasn't settled until that date - January 9th, 1975.
The generally accepted break-up date isn't so clear either, because it wasn't a single event but more of a series of separate acts. The last time they played live together was from the rooftop of the Apple building in Saville Row, London, in January 1969, the last time they recorded together was in August 1969, and the last time they were all in the same room together was September 1969. By then the cracks in the band had become too wide to repair, and they were involved in solo projects as well as already gearing up with their lawyers over contracts and recording rights. In April 1970 various press releases were issued which, whilst strongly hinting at the break up of the band, did not explicitly make it clear it had happened.
- Bill Perez 0 Comments
Night night
MMDE: Bela Lugosi was not buried in his Dracula cape
Current: Bela Lugosi was buried in his Dracula cape
Most people over a certain age know Bela Lugosi played Dracula in the famous black and white movie of the early 1930's, but when asked if he was buried actually wearing his Dracula cape are sure that's an urban myth, if they've heard of it at all.
It turns out to have a strange origin, but the story is true - he was buried in it.
He was born Bela Ferenc Dezso Blasko in 1882, in Lugos, Hungary which was not far from Transylvania. When he died in 1956, he was buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California, wearing a Dracula cape at the request of his wife and son who said it would have been what he wanted.
- Bill Perez 0 Comments
Rabbits know the score
MMDE: The idea carrots improve eyesight is from science
Current: The idea carrots improve eyesight is a cover story from World War 2
Every parent tells their kids to eat their carrots so they will see better, and point out how well rabbits can see in the dark as evidence. Where did this idea come from? Was it from science, or is there a wild story behind it which was entirely manufactured for a very important reason?
It turns out it is the latter, although science says the vitamins will help, as would the same amount from any vegetable.
So what's this crazy backstory then? It turns out during the early years of World War 2, the British were the first to deploy radar, which suddenly made their ground artillery and air force a heck of a lot more accurate when detecting enemy planes. The needed to keep the reason quiet, or the enemy would figure out where the radar stations were, and attack them. So, knowing they couldn't hide this sudden increase in accuracy, they put the story out that the pilots were all eating lots of carrots to improve their eyesight - and it worked! Even the German pilots began eating more...
- Harley Sapienza 0 Comments
H.R. Pufnstuf / H.R. Puff 'n' stuf
MMDE: H.R. Puff 'n' stuf
Current: H.R. Pufnstuf
The 1969 TV show featuring Jack Wild and a dragon is a fond memory for many of a certain age.
Many know about the not-so-hidden in joke in the title meaning "Hand Rolled" Puff and Stuff, but that's not what's bothering many people now - it's the apparent change in the spelling of the show's title. Today, all references are to "H.R. Pufnstuf", but this just looks wrong to them since they are sure it was "H.R. Puff 'n' stuf".
The show featured Jack as "Jimmy", who became shipwrecked on an island and was only 11 years old. He befriends Freddy, a talking flute, and they get into many various scrapes and adventures battling with Witchepoo, the wicked witch, and dealing with the mayor of the island, the aforementioned dragon HR Pufnstuf.
