We all have a strange tidbit of lore about our upbringing, or something questionable that we did in our past, and we only share it with the people we trust. Since everyone has at least one of these unsettling truths, you just know history itself is filled with them as well. And your own integrity isn’t damaged when you share them.For those curious or just people looking for new tidbits to share with friends, we’ve gathered some strange anecdotes from throughout history. You may have some stranger skeletons in your own closet, but these ones can’t hurt you.cnx.cmd.push(function() {cnx({playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530",}).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796");});Wikimedia CommonsMary Shelley Kept her Dead Husband’s HeartWhen Percy Bysshe Shelley was cremated, his heart surprisingly survived the fire. A friend snatched the charred organ from the flames, and Mary Shelley kept it carefully preserved inside her desk for the rest of her life.UnsplashVictorian Post Mortem Photography was Incredibly CommonTaking photos with deceased loved ones was a completely normal mourning ritual during the 1860s and 1870s. Grieving families regularly propped up deceased relatives for portraits, and photographers would sometimes paint open eyes right onto the developed images.UnsplashDentures were Once Made from Dead Soldiers TeethBefore modern materials existed, false teeth had to come from real people. Scavengers looted the teeth of tens of thousands of fallen soldiers after the Battle of Waterloo, selling them to dentists to create custom dentures for wealthy clients.Wikimedia CommonsWinston Churchill had a Prescription for Medical AlcoholAfter getting struck by a car in New York City during Prohibition in 1931, the famous British politician received a very special prescription. His doctor legally required him to consume at least 250 cubic centimeters of ‘alcoholic spirits’ for recovery.WikipediaAbraham Lincoln Created the Secret Service Before DyingOn April 14, 1865, the president officially signed legislation establishing the Secret Service specifically to track down counterfeit currency. Tragically, he went to Ford’s Theatre that exact same evening and never lived to see the agency operate.UnsplashHeroin was Once Sold as a Cough MedicineBack in 1898, Bayer heavily marketed this harsh substance to the general public as a completely safe cough suppressant and pain reliever. Consumers had zero idea about the severe addiction risks and quickly developed massive dependencies on the medicine.UnsplashRadium was Used in Everyday Cosmetics and ToothpasteBefore scientists fully understood radiation, glowing radioactive elements were added to everyday consumer goods to make them seem modern and healthy. Countless people ultimately suffered from severe cancers and amputations simply from trying to keep their teeth clean.UnsplashPope Gregory IX Declared War on Black CatsA historical religious leader supposedly decided that felines with dark fur were inherently evil and ordered people to get rid of them. This massive superstition spread rapidly across the region, changing how communities viewed these common household pets forever.Wikimedia CommonsAlbert Einstein was Offered the Presidency of IsraelThe famous theoretical physicist was actually approached by political leaders to serve as the head of state for a newly formed nation. Likely aided by his brilliant mind, he politely declined the massive political offer, preferring to stick with his science.UnsplashWoolly Mammoths were Alive when Pyramids were BuiltWhile human civilization was busy constructing massive stone monuments in the desert, massive prehistoric animals were still roaming the colder parts of the planet. These iconic furry beasts held on far longer than most people ever realize.UnsplashJohn Harvey Kellogg Invented Corn Flakes for PurityA prominent doctor originally developed the famous breakfast cereal as part of a strict dietary regimen. He firmly believed that eating incredibly bland food would stop people from having impure thoughts and help them lead highly disciplined, moral lives.UnsplashAnimal Bones were Historically Used to Refine SugarTo get that perfectly white appearance, sugar refineries traditionally relied on a granular black material created by burning animal bones. This highly porous bone char acted as a harsh filter to remove any natural coloring from the sweet granules.IMDbGladiator Sweat was Sold as a Beauty ProductPeople in the ancient world idolized their arena fighters just like modern sports stars. They would actually collect the grime and perspiration scraped off these famous warriors after a brutal match, selling the foul liquid as expensive facial treatments.Wikimedia CommonsGeorge Washington was Bled to Death by DoctorsWhen the first American president fell seriously ill, his physicians relied on an incredibly outdated medical practice. They repeatedly drained vital fluids from his body in a misguided attempt to heal him, which ultimately weakened him beyond any recovery.Wikimedia CommonsKing Tutankhamun had Parents who were Closely RelatedRoyal families in ancient times wanted to keep their wealth and power strictly within the family tree. The famous young ruler was the direct result of this extreme tradition, suffering from multiple severe health issues throughout his short life.Wikimedia CommonsCoober Pedy is a Town where Everyone Lives UndergroundTo escape the incredibly brutal surface heat, residents of this remote mining community decided to just dig straight down. Today, the entire population lives comfortably inside large subterranean homes carved directly out of the surrounding rock and dirt.The post 16 Random Historical Facts That Are Unsettling None the Less appeared first on Den of Geek.