Historic Bets That Changed the World
Betting has been part of human culture for centuries. Often it’s just for the thrill or a small sum of money. Sometimes, however, betting leads to events that change history.
Here are some famous bets that have done just that. You can start your own success story by logging in. If you play to be the best, the platform will reward you and transform you into a VIP.
The Bet of John Montagu, the Earl of Sandwich
John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich, was a passionate gambler. He spent many hours at the card table and didn’t want to stop his games for meals.
One day in 1762, he bet that he could invent a meal that he could eat while gambling without stopping the game. The result was the invention of the sandwich. A simple but revolutionary snack that is now popular around the world.
Alfred Nobel
Known as the creator of dynamite, Alfred Nobel was also an avid scientist and businessman. He often imagined how to handle dangerous substances safely.
This led to the invention of dynamite, which, while enabling many construction and mining projects, was also used in war. Nobel, appalled by the destructive applications of his invention, later founded the Nobel Foundation, which awards the eponymous Peace Prize and uses it to promote positive change in the world.
Frederick Douglass
Frederick had once been a slave. He was a great activist. He was particularly concerned with education and equality. He became an abolitionist and one of the best orators of his time. He spoke freedom and people read his lips.
He learned to read and write despite considerable difficulties and was one of the leading advocates for the abolition of slavery in the United States. His willingness to use education as a means of liberation helped inspire the civil rights movement and transform American society.
Galileo Galilei
A famous Italian astronomer and physicist, Galileo Galilei challenged the common beliefs of his time that the Earth was not the center of the universe.
Despite opposition from the Church and the threat of being condemned as a heretic, he upheld the heliocentric model of the solar system. His insights and perseverance laid the foundation for modern astronomy.
Alexander Graham Bell
Famous for inventing the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell gifted his backers a device that could transmit speech over electrical wires.
The 1876 decision created the first successful telephone connection and revolutionized communication. His groundbreaking discovery changed people’s interaction patterns and laid the foundation for modern communication systems.
John F. Kennedy’s Bet
In 1961, John F. Kennedy, then US President, bet that the US could put a man on the moon by the end of the decade. A bold bet was a response to Soviet dominance in the space race.
In 1969, Apollo 11 succeeded in setting foot on the moon with his vision and NASA’s determination. This demonstrated the power of science and technology and secured the US’s reputation as the leading space nation of the time.
