Some Common Myths Thought to be True - Myth 102
Myth 102: Carrots give you Better Night Vision
Many people believe that carrots give you better night vision. Seriously had
to prove to one of my friends that is pre-med that it was a hoax by the British
Air Force in WWII to hide the fact they had radar.
|
|
Fresh Carrots | |
For centuries, carrots have been connected with health benefits. In the Middle
Ages, carrots were believed to cure anything from sexually transmitted diseases
to snakebites. Carrots became associated with vision, particularly night
vision, during World War II. The British Royal Air Force published a story that
said skilled fighter pilot John "Cats' Eyes" Cunningham could thank a steady
diet of carrots for his night vision flying prowess. In response to the story,
many British people began to grow and eat more carrots. They wanted to improve
their vision so that they could see better during the compulsory blackouts that
were common during World War II. Although Cats' Eyes' carrot eating made for a
great story, it was, in fact, propaganda put out to conceal the fact that the
Royal Air Force's was actually using radar to locate Luftwaffe bombers during
the night.
|
|
⇦ Back to Myth 101 Return to Myth Choices Page 8 On to Myth 103 ⇨ |