Why Coca-Cola was never green and other common misconceptions
In short: From the true colour of soda to the biology of the larynx, many things we believe are actually myths. We explore why bulls aren't enraged by red, why TNT and dynamite are fundamentally different substances, and why a heart attack is not the same thing as cardiac arrest.
Many popular beliefs are born from visual associations or historical traditions rather than biological or chemical facts. For instance, the idea that Coca-Cola was once green is a myth; the original formula was brown, much like the modern version. This misconception likely arose because the brand was commonly sold in green bottles.
In the arena, the myth that red enrages bulls is also incorrect. Bulls are actually red-green colorblind. The aggression seen in bullfighting is triggered by the movement of the cape, not its color. The association with red likely persists because matadors have traditionally used red capes since the 18th century in Spain. The movement of the cape is what truly provokes an aggressive charge. This behaviour is often exacerbated by the presence of banderillas, which are small barbed flags inserted into the animal's neck.
Chemical and biological distinctions are equally misunderstood. While often used interchangeably in cartoons, TNT and dynamite are distinct. Dynamite consists of an absorbent mixture soaked in nitroglycerin—a substance highly sensitive to shock. In contrast, TNT (trinitrotoluene) is a yellow chemical compound originally used as a dye that became an explosive because it is very safe to transport. Furthermore, TNT was initially utilized as a yellow dye. Its stability makes it much easier to move safely than other explosives.
Even medical terminology is frequently conflated. While a heart attack results from restricted blood flow to certain cardiac regions via a rupture, spasm, or blockage, cardiac arrest involves the heart ceasing to pump blood. Remarkably, survival rates are much higher for patients having a heart attack than for those undergoing cardiac arrest. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a specific part of the heart is obstructed. Consequently, those experiencing a heart attack generally have a much higher chance of survival.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Was Coca-Cola Ever Really Green?... and 5 other facts
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