PART Five: Wealth and Deception
40 – Roswell Alien
Myth or Reality?
Landing: 1947
Historical Context: On July 1, 1947, near Roswell, New Mexico, an unidentified flying object reportedly crashed. Locals claimed to have seen aliens at the crash site. CIA agents quickly cordoned off the area and took all findings for study.
Media and Rumors: After the military’s initial announcement of a flying saucer, the information was quickly retracted, fueling rumors and conspiracy theories. In 1995, a film depicted the autopsy of a surviving “Roswell alien,” allegedly killed by Earthly infection at the secretive Area 51, sparking renewed public interest in the incident.
Declassified Document: In 2011, the FBI released part of its archives, including a copy of a report by Guy Hottel, a special agent who was among the first to arrive at the UFO crash. In the note, he described objects found near Roswell as “humanoid bodies three feet tall with black film instead of eyes.”
Exhibit Significance: The events of 1947 have become a cultural phenomenon, symbolizing the mysteries of the universe and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
Historical Context: On July 1, 1947, near Roswell, New Mexico, an unidentified flying object reportedly crashed. Locals claimed to have seen aliens at the crash site. CIA agents quickly cordoned off the area and took all findings for study.
Media and Rumors: After the military’s initial announcement of a flying saucer, the information was quickly retracted, fueling rumors and conspiracy theories. In 1995, a film depicted the autopsy of a surviving “Roswell alien,” allegedly killed by Earthly infection at the secretive Area 51, sparking renewed public interest in the incident.
Declassified Document: In 2011, the FBI released part of its archives, including a copy of a report by Guy Hottel, a special agent who was among the first to arrive at the UFO crash. In the note, he described objects found near Roswell as “humanoid bodies three feet tall with black film instead of eyes.”
Exhibit Significance: The events of 1947 have become a cultural phenomenon, symbolizing the mysteries of the universe and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
41 – Fiji Mermaid
The Loud Hoaxes of the 19th Century
History of Appearance: In July 1842, a dried “mermaid” was brought to Barnum’s American Museum, allegedly found on the island of Fiji in the Pacific Ocean. During the grand unveiling, a member of the British Lyceum of Natural History confirmed the authenticity of the unusual specimen. He even suggested that humans might descend not from apes, but from mermaids—based on its appearance.
Reality Behind the Illusion: In truth, P.T. Barnum displayed a fake mermaid, sewn together from the parts of a monkey and a large fish, to attract visitors to his museum.
Interesting Fact: The showman also exhibited a paralyzed African-American woman in his museum, claiming she was 160 years old and had been George Washington’s nurse.
Exhibit Significance: The Fiji mermaid became a symbol of an era when the lines between science and deception were blurred, and critical thinking was not yet widespread.
Reality Behind the Illusion: In truth, P.T. Barnum displayed a fake mermaid, sewn together from the parts of a monkey and a large fish, to attract visitors to his museum.
Interesting Fact: The showman also exhibited a paralyzed African-American woman in his museum, claiming she was 160 years old and had been George Washington’s nurse.
Exhibit Significance: The Fiji mermaid became a symbol of an era when the lines between science and deception were blurred, and critical thinking was not yet widespread.
42 – Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth)
Medieval Lie Detector
Location: Rome
Date of Creation: 1st century CE (approx.)
Original Purpose: The artifact was likely intended as a sewer cover or a fragment of a fountain.
Application: In the Middle Ages, the mask was repurposed as a “lie detector.” Suspected criminals were brought before it to test their honesty. They would recount their version of events and then place their hand into the mask’s mouth, believing that if they lied, the deity would bite off their hand.
The Secret Behind the Plate: In reality, an executioner hid behind the mask and decided at his discretion whether to cut off the guilty person’s hand.
Modern Times: Today, the mask is one of Rome’s most notable attractions. Visitors line up daily to slip a note with a wish into it, which is said to come true.
Exhibit Significance: The artifact is a unique testimony to both ancient artistry and medieval justice practices.
Date of Creation: 1st century CE (approx.)
Original Purpose: The artifact was likely intended as a sewer cover or a fragment of a fountain.
Application: In the Middle Ages, the mask was repurposed as a “lie detector.” Suspected criminals were brought before it to test their honesty. They would recount their version of events and then place their hand into the mask’s mouth, believing that if they lied, the deity would bite off their hand.
The Secret Behind the Plate: In reality, an executioner hid behind the mask and decided at his discretion whether to cut off the guilty person’s hand.
Modern Times: Today, the mask is one of Rome’s most notable attractions. Visitors line up daily to slip a note with a wish into it, which is said to come true.
Exhibit Significance: The artifact is a unique testimony to both ancient artistry and medieval justice practices.
43 – HETTY Green
The Stingiest Woman in History
Lifespan: 1834–1916
The Path of a Billionaire: Henrietta Green, a resident of Massachusetts, began her financial ventures at the age of 13 and became famous for her extreme thrift and unique investment strategies. Nicknamed the “Witch of Wall Street,” she lent money to New York City’s administration while personally scavenging for discounted groceries. Over her lifetime, she amassed $4,000,000,000 through stock trading. Had the Forbes list existed then, she would have ranked among the ten richest Americans.
Exhibit Significance: Henrietta Green’s life illustrates how extreme wealth and frugality could coexist in a single person, inspiring both admiration and condemnation.
Incredible But True:
The Path of a Billionaire: Henrietta Green, a resident of Massachusetts, began her financial ventures at the age of 13 and became famous for her extreme thrift and unique investment strategies. Nicknamed the “Witch of Wall Street,” she lent money to New York City’s administration while personally scavenging for discounted groceries. Over her lifetime, she amassed $4,000,000,000 through stock trading. Had the Forbes list existed then, she would have ranked among the ten richest Americans.
Exhibit Significance: Henrietta Green’s life illustrates how extreme wealth and frugality could coexist in a single person, inspiring both admiration and condemnation.
Incredible But True:
- Henrietta never owned an apartment.
- She forged her aunt’s will to avoid sharing the inheritance with relatives.
- She begged for free meat scraps for her dog, Devi.
- She spent nights searching carriages for dropped pennies.
- She fed her children only broken biscuits.
- She washed only the hems of her dresses.
- After reading stock reports, she sent her son to sell the newspaper on the street.
- When her son broke his leg, she bought him only painkillers; he eventually required amputation.
- She always wore the same black dress.
- She reheated porridge on public building radiators.
- She claimed tap water was the tastiest drink.
- She chewed onions constantly to avoid buying vitamins.
- When asked to babysit her 8- and 10-year-old nephews, she made them work 14 hours in the laundry.
- She bankrupted her husband through a shell company.
- Throughout her life, she never paid a single cent in taxes.
PART SIX: Gold Vault
44 – Saffron
GIANT OF THE PREHISTORIC SEAS
Period of existence: 1.5 mln years ago
Megalodons were super predators up to 18 meters long and weighing over 30 tons. They fed on prehistoric whales and dolphins, using a unique hunting tactic aimed at immobilizing their prey: they swam up from below and bit off their fins.
Megalodon's jaws were incredibly powerful, allowing them to bite through the shells of giant turtles. Their teeth reached a height of 19 centimeters, which gave this representative of the fauna its name: "megalodon" translates from Greek as "big tooth."
Extinction: They died out due to climate change, in particular, the cooling of the oceans.
Significance: symbolizes the grandeur and power of the ancient world, reminding us of the mysteries and secrets that may lie hidden in the depths of the oceans.
Megalodons were super predators up to 18 meters long and weighing over 30 tons. They fed on prehistoric whales and dolphins, using a unique hunting tactic aimed at immobilizing their prey: they swam up from below and bit off their fins.
Megalodon's jaws were incredibly powerful, allowing them to bite through the shells of giant turtles. Their teeth reached a height of 19 centimeters, which gave this representative of the fauna its name: "megalodon" translates from Greek as "big tooth."
Extinction: They died out due to climate change, in particular, the cooling of the oceans.
Significance: symbolizes the grandeur and power of the ancient world, reminding us of the mysteries and secrets that may lie hidden in the depths of the oceans.
45 – Hermès Birkin Bag
GIANT OF THE PREHISTORIC SEAS
Period of existence: 1.5 mln years ago
Megalodons were super predators up to 18 meters long and weighing over 30 tons. They fed on prehistoric whales and dolphins, using a unique hunting tactic aimed at immobilizing their prey: they swam up from below and bit off their fins.
Megalodon's jaws were incredibly powerful, allowing them to bite through the shells of giant turtles. Their teeth reached a height of 19 centimeters, which gave this representative of the fauna its name: "megalodon" translates from Greek as "big tooth."
Extinction: They died out due to climate change, in particular, the cooling of the oceans.
Significance: symbolizes the grandeur and power of the ancient world, reminding us of the mysteries and secrets that may lie hidden in the depths of the oceans.
Megalodons were super predators up to 18 meters long and weighing over 30 tons. They fed on prehistoric whales and dolphins, using a unique hunting tactic aimed at immobilizing their prey: they swam up from below and bit off their fins.
Megalodon's jaws were incredibly powerful, allowing them to bite through the shells of giant turtles. Their teeth reached a height of 19 centimeters, which gave this representative of the fauna its name: "megalodon" translates from Greek as "big tooth."
Extinction: They died out due to climate change, in particular, the cooling of the oceans.
Significance: symbolizes the grandeur and power of the ancient world, reminding us of the mysteries and secrets that may lie hidden in the depths of the oceans.
46 – Cacao
GIANT OF THE PREHISTORIC SEAS
Period of existence: 1.5 mln years ago
Megalodons were super predators up to 18 meters long and weighing over 30 tons. They fed on prehistoric whales and dolphins, using a unique hunting tactic aimed at immobilizing their prey: they swam up from below and bit off their fins.
Megalodon's jaws were incredibly powerful, allowing them to bite through the shells of giant turtles. Their teeth reached a height of 19 centimeters, which gave this representative of the fauna its name: "megalodon" translates from Greek as "big tooth."
Extinction: They died out due to climate change, in particular, the cooling of the oceans.
Significance: symbolizes the grandeur and power of the ancient world, reminding us of the mysteries and secrets that may lie hidden in the depths of the oceans.
Megalodons were super predators up to 18 meters long and weighing over 30 tons. They fed on prehistoric whales and dolphins, using a unique hunting tactic aimed at immobilizing their prey: they swam up from below and bit off their fins.
Megalodon's jaws were incredibly powerful, allowing them to bite through the shells of giant turtles. Their teeth reached a height of 19 centimeters, which gave this representative of the fauna its name: "megalodon" translates from Greek as "big tooth."
Extinction: They died out due to climate change, in particular, the cooling of the oceans.
Significance: symbolizes the grandeur and power of the ancient world, reminding us of the mysteries and secrets that may lie hidden in the depths of the oceans.
47 – Gold Ingot
GIANT OF THE PREHISTORIC SEAS
Period of existence: 1.5 mln years ago
Megalodons were super predators up to 18 meters long and weighing over 30 tons. They fed on prehistoric whales and dolphins, using a unique hunting tactic aimed at immobilizing their prey: they swam up from below and bit off their fins.
Megalodon's jaws were incredibly powerful, allowing them to bite through the shells of giant turtles. Their teeth reached a height of 19 centimeters, which gave this representative of the fauna its name: "megalodon" translates from Greek as "big tooth."
Extinction: They died out due to climate change, in particular, the cooling of the oceans.
Significance: symbolizes the grandeur and power of the ancient world, reminding us of the mysteries and secrets that may lie hidden in the depths of the oceans.
Megalodons were super predators up to 18 meters long and weighing over 30 tons. They fed on prehistoric whales and dolphins, using a unique hunting tactic aimed at immobilizing their prey: they swam up from below and bit off their fins.
Megalodon's jaws were incredibly powerful, allowing them to bite through the shells of giant turtles. Their teeth reached a height of 19 centimeters, which gave this representative of the fauna its name: "megalodon" translates from Greek as "big tooth."
Extinction: They died out due to climate change, in particular, the cooling of the oceans.
Significance: symbolizes the grandeur and power of the ancient world, reminding us of the mysteries and secrets that may lie hidden in the depths of the oceans.
