Think civilization has deteriorated and that people these days are dumber than ever? Dumb History proves that we didn't invent stupidity in the twenty-first century. You'll find facts from throughout the ages about everyone from Cleopatra and Napoleon to Elvis Presley and even NASA scientists.

Consider this:

• In 820 ce, Emperor Hsien-tsung's herbalist presented him with an antiaging elixir-it killed him.
• In 1849, Brooklyn inventor Walter Hunt invented and patented the safety pin and then sold all the rights to his invention for $400. By the time he died penniless, the United States was producing an estimated five billion safety pins annually.
• In 1967, voters in the town of Picoaza, Ecuador, elected a brand of foot powder as their new mayor.

It's a wonder we've survived as long as we have.