History is much like a vast ocean, its depths often veiled by layers of myths and misconceptions. In this article, we shine a light on some of the most fascinating misconceptions about history, correcting the course of our collective understanding.

1. The Misattributed Phrase: “Let them eat cake,” a phrase often attributed to Marie Antoinette, is, in fact, a myth. Most historians attribute the phrase to French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, but France’s last queen before the revolution was widely given credit because it fit with her reputation​¹​.
2. The Mouse Behind the Mouse: Walt Disney is often credited with creating Mickey Mouse, the iconic character that defines Disney. However, the real creator was animator Ub Iwerks​¹​.
3. The Telephone Tussle: Alexander Graham Bell, celebrated as the inventor of the telephone, might have had some help. Some historians state that Bell and his lawyer used bribery to push his patent ahead of the one rightfully submitted by inventor Elisha Gray earlier that same day. There is even research suggesting that Bell stole ideas from Gray’s patent​¹​.
4. Viking Helmets: The image of Vikings with horned helmets is deeply embedded in popular culture. Yet, this idea didn’t come about until an opera performance in 1876. In reality, historical evidence of Vikings wearing horned helmets is scant​¹​.
5. Kennedy’s Doughnut Debacle: President Kennedy’s famous line, “Ich bin ein Berliner,” is often humorously misinterpreted to mean “I am a jelly doughnut.” In reality, his German was correct. The phrase, in fact, means “I am a citizen of Berlin,” debunking the entertaining yet inaccurate myth​¹​.
6. The Origin of Peanut Butter: George Washington Carver is commonly credited with the invention of peanut butter. However, while he did come up with hundreds of uses for the peanut, the invention of peanut butter can be traced all the way back to the Aztecs​¹​.
7. Machiavelli’s Misunderstanding: “The end justifies the means” is often linked to Machiavelli’s The Prince. However, neither the phrase nor any close variant ever appears in Machiavelli’s work. The underlying sentiment had already been published by authors going back to Ancient Rome, centuries before​¹​.
8. 72 Virgins Misconception: The misconception that martyrs are rewarded with 72 virgins in the afterlife is not part of the Quran. The source for this claim comes from Persian scholar Imam Tirmidhi, but it has been wrongly associated with Islamic doctrine​¹​.
9. Cowboy Hats in the Wild West: Contrary to popular belief, cowboy hats were not the headgear of choice in the Wild West. Instead, derby and bowler hats dominated, with the Stetson model, now known as the cowboy hat, only becoming popular towards the end of the 19th century​¹​.

These interesting misconceptions remind us that history is not always as it seems. It’s a constant journey of discovery and reinterpretation, a testament to the need for continual learning and the challenge of discerning fact from fiction.