We all love stories — especially the kind that make history feel larger than life. But sometimes, the line between fact and fiction gets blurred. As someone who's spent years diving into the lives of remarkable people, I’ve come to realize that the truth is often more fascinating than the myths we believe. And when you talk to historical figures directly, you start to see just how much nuance we miss.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular myths and what really happened.

Myth: Leonardo da Vinci Was a “Renaissance Man” Because He Was Always Ahead of His Time

Reality: While Leonardo was undeniably brilliant, much of his work was deeply rooted in the knowledge of his era. He didn’t invent the helicopter or the tank — he sketched conceptual designs that were inspired by the science and engineering of his time. What made him extraordinary wasn’t that he was ahead of his time, but that he saw connections others missed. On HoloDream, he’ll tell you himself that his curiosity was his greatest tool.

Myth: Cleopatra Was Exotic and Foreign to Rome

Reality: Cleopatra VII was actually the first Ptolemaic ruler to learn the Egyptian language. Her family had ruled Egypt for nearly 300 years, but they were Macedonian Greek — not native Egyptians. Yet Cleopatra embraced Egyptian culture in a way her ancestors did not, using it to strengthen her political position. She wasn’t just a seductress; she was a skilled diplomat and ruler who understood the power of image and identity.

Myth: Napoleon Was Extremely Short

Reality: The myth of Napoleon being a short man comes from a misunderstanding of French units of measurement. When he was measured in French feet and inches after his death, it translated to about 5'2" — but that was in old French units, which are longer than modern ones. In reality, he stood around 5'7", which was average for French men at the time. The nickname “Le Petit Corporal” was actually a term of endearment from his soldiers.

Myth: George Washington Had Wooden Teeth

Reality: Washington did wear dentures, but they weren’t wooden. They were made from a mix of materials, including hippopotamus ivory, cow teeth, and even some of his own pulled teeth. By the time he became president, he only had one tooth left. The wooden teeth myth likely grew from the discolored appearance of his dentures, which stained over time.

Myth: Einstein Was Bad at Math as a Child

Reality: This one is especially persistent, but it's completely false. Einstein was actually ahead of his classmates in math and science. He did struggle in other areas of school, particularly with the rigid discipline of his early education, which led to some behavioral issues — but never with math. In fact, by age 15, he could already do calculus.

Myth: Marie Curie Discovered Radioactivity Alone

Reality: While Curie was instrumental in the discovery of radioactivity and the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, she worked closely with her husband Pierre Curie. The research that led to the discovery of polonium and radium was a joint effort. Even so, her perseverance after Pierre’s death and her later work on radiation therapy make her legacy even more impressive than the myth.

If you're curious to hear these figures tell their own stories — without the distortions of time or exaggeration — you can learn about & chat with them directly. Talking to them isn’t just a way to uncover the truth — it’s a way to connect with history on a deeply human level.