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The 21 Weirdest Habits of History's Smartest People

Are you weird enough to be a genius?

Throughout history, humanity has witnessed the brilliance and genius of many exceptional individuals. From groundbreaking scientists and philosophers to innovative artists and thinkers, these individuals have shaped the course of human civilization. However, behind their incredible accomplishments, there often lie peculiar and unconventional habits. In this article, we delve into the 23 weirdest habits of history's most brilliant people, shedding light on the idiosyncrasies that accompany their extraordinary minds.

1
Nikola Tesla's Pigeon Obsession

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Renowned inventor Nikola Tesla developed a peculiar fondness for pigeons. He would often spend hours observing them and even claimed to have fallen in love with one particular pigeon.

2
Albert Einstein's Eccentric Wardrobe

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Einstein was famous for his unkempt hair, but his unusual fashion sense didn't stop there. He owned several identical suits to avoid wasting time choosing outfits each day.

3
Charles Darwin's Insect Eating

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Darwin had a penchant for eating insects that he caught during his expeditions, claiming that they provided a valuable source of protein.

4
Benjamin Franklin's Air Baths

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Franklin believed in the benefits of fresh air and would often sit naked in his home, enjoying "air baths" to improve his health.

 

5
Leonardo da Vinci's Mirror Writing

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Da Vinci wrote most of his notes in mirror writing, a technique he believed kept his ideas secret and protected them from theft.

6
Marie Curie's Radioactive Notebooks

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Curie carried her research notebooks everywhere, and some of them are still radioactive due to her pioneering work with radioactive materials.

7
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Scatological Humor

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Mozart had a fascination with scatological humor  and would often incorporate crude jokes and references into his letters and conversations.

 

8
Ludwig van Beethoven's Coffee Obsession

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Beethoven counted exactly 60 coffee beans for each cup of coffee he drank, believing it provided the ideal potency for his creative process.

9
René Descartes' Seclusion Ritual

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Descartes had a peculiar habit of staying in bed until noon, contemplating his thoughts and theories before starting his day.

10
Jane Austen's Needlework Breaks

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Austen would take breaks from writing by engaging in needlework, finding it to be a relaxing and creative outlet.

11
Vincent van Gogh's Yellow Madness

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Van Gogh had an obsession with the color yellow and would often cover his canvases, furniture, and even himself with yellow paint.

12
Nikolaus Copernicus' Astronomical Observations

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Copernicus spent countless hours observing the heavens, often waking up in the middle of the night to study the stars and planets.

13
Carl Jung's Stone Collection

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Jung collected stones and would arrange them in various patterns, believing they held symbolic meanings and insights into the human psyche.

14
Alan Turing's Tea Rituals

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Turing followed a precise tea-making routine, which involved precisely timing the brewing process. Some say he chained his tea cup for a radiator so it wouldn't be stolten.

15
Pythagoras: The Bean-Hating Mathematician

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Pythagoras, the renowned mathematician, harbored an intense aversion to beans. Legend has it that he refused to cut through a field of beans while being chased by an angry mob, ultimately leading to his demise.

16
Thomas Edison: Failed Attempts to Communicate with the Dead

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In his pursuit of innovation, inventor Thomas Edison tried to invent a telephone to communicate  with the deceased. Unfortunately, his attempts were unsuccessful, showcasing his fascination with the supernatural.

17
Benjamin Franklin: Electrifying Dinner Guests

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Benjamin Franklin, the polymath and founding father of the United States, famously 

conducted experiments with electricity. In one incident, he accidentally zapped his unsuspecting dinner guests, demonstrating his peculiar fascination with electrical phenomena.

18
Tycho Brahe: A Drinking Companion Moose and Golden Organs

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Tycho Brahe, a 16th-century Danish astronomer, excelled in his astronomical discoveries. However, his peculiarities included indulging in heavy drinking sessions with his pet moose and purportedly dying with gold-plated internal organs.

19
Napoleon Bonaparte: Conquered by Rabbits

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Napoleon Bonaparte, the military conqueror, had an unexpected fear of rabbits. During a hare hunt, a horde of rabbits overwhelmed him, forcing him to retreat, highlighting his irrational fear of these furry creatures.

20
Lord Byron: Scandalous Love Affairs and Insults

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Lord Byron, the renowned British poet, engaged in scandalous love affairs, including a relationship with his half-sister. Known for his biting wit, he mercilessly insulted his rivals and even the esteemed poet laureate of England.

RELATED: 20 Unsolved Mysteries That Will Boggle Your Mind

21
Albert Einstein: Sailing Blunders and Water Mishaps

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Albert Einstein, the iconic physicist, loved sailing but lacked the skills to operate a boat or swim. This led to comical mishaps, with Einstein frequently crashing his boat into others and requiring rescue. Surprisingly, he found these incidents hilarious.

Emilia Paluszek
Emilia specializes in human biology and psychology at the University at Albany. Read more
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