Debunking Mandela Effects – A rational exploration into the phenomenon.

Dolly Has Braces

March 11, 2019March 7, 2019 by Vaughn

Actually: Dolly does not have braces

Moonraker is a 1979 spy film and the eleventh movie in the James Bond franchise. It features Roger Moore as James Bond and is the fourth time he played the role in the series. In it, James Bond investigates the theft of a space shuttle which leads him to several locations. From California, to Venice, Rio de Janeiro, the Amazon rainforest, and eventually to outer space to ultimately prevent a plot to wipe out the world’s population in an attempt to recreate humanity with a master race.

It also features the actress, Blanche Ravalec playing “Dolly”, and the star of this Mandela Effect. She is the love interest of “Jaws” (played by Richard Kiel), a tall and burly metal-teethed protagonist and villain in the movie.

Peptol-Bismol

August 1, 2018 by Vaughn

Actually: Pepto-Bismol

Pepto-Bismol, also known as “bismuth subsalicylate” is an antacid medication used to treat temporary discomfort of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract, such as “nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, and diarrhea”, the order of which is used in a lot of their commercials and branding.

Although the history page of Pepto-Bismol describes its name change from “Bismosal”, it doesn’t explain where the “Pepto” comes from. My guess is it has to do with the “peptic” areas of the human body (the stomach and duodenum), which Pepto-Bismol effects. Pepto may be a play on “peptic”.

The Scarecrow Has a Gun

March 12, 2019October 13, 2016 by Vaughn

The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 musical/fantasy/comedy film adapted from the 1900 novel, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum and produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

It features a scene where the Scarecrow inexplicably has a revolver firearm. That isn’t it however; the Tinman has a wrench (along with his normal axe), the Lion has a bug catching net, and a two-handed pump sprayer with the words “WITCH REMOVAL” (or REMOVER), and the Scarecrow actually has another item that isn’t seen or heard from again after the scene; a walking staff/stick.

The items possessed by the other members are usually not even mentioned within the Mandela Effect community when reporting on it. It seems like the gun that the Scarecrow is holding is the most shocking to people. The Mandela Effect here is that people do not remember the gun and are convinced that either this scene never existed or he never had a gun.

Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall

February 7, 2018July 12, 2016 by Vaughn

Actually: It’s both “Mirror, mirror, on the wall…” AND “Magic mirror, on the wall..”

In the 1937 Disney classic, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs the Evil Queen utters the famous line “Magic mirror, on the wall – who is the fairest one of all?”.

It has not been changed or edited since its original release. There is no credible evidence to support that it has. The mirror’s persona in the Disney adaption is named, “Slave in the Magic Mirror”, hence why the Evil Queen refers to it as the “magic mirror”.

Size and Shape of Russia

March 31, 2020December 8, 2015 by Vaughn

Russia, also known as the Russian Federation (officially) is a country in northern Eurasia. It’s the largest country in the world, covering more than one-eight of the Earth’s inhabited land area at 17,075,400 square kilometres (6,592,800 sq miles). Russia is also the world’s ninth most populous nation with nearly 144 million people in November 2014.

Geographical inconsistencies are a common source of Mandela Effects and Russia has been brought up a few times on the Subreddit.

51 or 52 States in the United States of America

August 25, 2015 by Vaughn

Actual Number of States in the United States of America: 50 States

The United States of America (USA) sometimes shortened as United States (U.S.) or just America is composed of 50 states and a federal district (Washington, D.C). The USA also has a number of unincorporated territories. These include islands such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa to name a few. The states are represented as stars on the flag. The last state (50) to be added was Hawaii in 1959.

Remembering that the US has 51 or 52 states is a common Mandela Effect, seemingly from people even living in the US, although if the responses are to be believed online, it appears as though this misconception is generally coming from non-US residents. I first heard about about it on the Mandela Effect website.

JCPenny

August 25, 2015August 20, 2015 by Vaughn

Actually: JCPenney or J.C. Penney

JCPenney (also known as JCP and Penney’s for short) is a chain of American mid-range department stores.

I was first made aware of this Mandela Effect from a post on the Subreddit by KitKhat. Upon further research it looks like it is quite a popular misspelling and general misconception. Googling JCPenny -JCPenney gives thousands of results spanning across news articles, review sites, online discussions and more. Calling it a Mandela Effect might be a stretch as I dived deeper into why this one is so common and why it got a lot of support on the Subreddit.

Hans Holbein the Younger - Portrait of Henry VIII Banner

Painting of Henry VIII Holding a Turkey Leg

July 3, 2016August 19, 2015 by Vaughn

Henry VIII of England (June 28th, 1491 – January 28th, 1547) was the King of England from April 21st, 1509 until his death. He is commonly depicted as fairly tall and heavyset. Possibly, the most famous image of him is a Renaissance painting, painted by Hans Holbein the Younger. He is depicted standing tall and boisterous, dressed in a king’s attire, holding a pair of leather gloves in one hand and clutching at the string of a scabbard in the other.

It is a painting similar to this that many people seem to have a memory of. The key difference is that Henry VIII is holding a turkey leg (or drumstick) in one hand. Others seem to recall him sitting at a table (at a feast or dinner) showing just his upper torso. The memory is a usually foggy for most, but the common memory is that it is definitely a Renaissance style painting, and he is definitely holding a turkey leg. The problem is neither painting exists.

Chic-fil-A

July 12, 2016August 17, 2015 by Vaughn

Also Remembered As: Chik-fil-A

Actually: Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A Logos Throughout the Decades

Chick-fil-A is a popular American fast food restaurant chain specializing in chicken sandwiches. The “fil-A” portion of the name is a play on the pronunciation of “fillet”. It gained notoriety in the press when it publicly declared it’s stance of opposing same-sex marriage.

The first Chick-fil-A opened in 1967 and the name was registered in 1963. The original and official trademark registration from 1968/9 can be viewed online here. Their name has never changed.

The first time I stumbled across this one was on the Subreddit, posted by The_JollyGreenGiant. The post received many replies and many people agreeing with the memory as suggested or with an alternate of memory of “Chik-fil-A”. As with many of these posts, there is also a few that remember as it actually is as well. Searching online for “chic-fil-a” will produce many examples of other people who have misspelled the company as well.