Can the past change? The Mandela Effect has gone mainstream. Now that the internet is buzzing with wild theories and new examples every day, it's time to go over where the ideas originated, and consider in detail what exactly might be causing it.
The Mandela Effect
Ever had that feeling when you hear of something, like a celebrity dying, and was sure it had happened before? When that happens to a group of people, it has a name - The Mandela Effect. It's called that because there are many who were sure Nelson Mandela died in the 1980's and not in 2013.
Welcome to Alternate Memories, where these and more are documented, discussed and puzzled over.
Remember - as you read about them more and more, some will hit you as being ridiculous, and others as spookily accurate. They are not the same for everyone, which is a huge part of their mystery ;-)
What color coat did Cruella De Vil wear?
- Joe Hutt 0 Comments
101 Golden Retrievers?
MMDE: Cruella De Vil wore a white coat with black dots
Current: Cruella De Vil wore a yellow coat
Here's the second Mandela Effect relating to Disney's 1961 animated classic "101 Dalmatians". Whilst the other one is concerned with how you spell Cruella's name, this one is about the coat she wore.
Many are remembering the coat being the same as the dalmatians, that is black with white polka dots, yet today it's seen as an enlarged yellow mass of fur.
This idea is reinforced by the sole premise of the story - Cruella wants the dalmatians in order to turn them into fur coats. Those experiencing this Mandela Effect are saying the coat being yellow makes no sense any more.
Joan Jett: "Standing" or "Dancing"?
- Evelyn M. Clemmons 0 Comments
I love Rock n Roll
MMDE: "Saw him standing there by the record machine"
Current: "Saw him dancing there by the record machine"
Joan Jett's cover of The Arrows 1975 track "I love Rock N Roll" is the one most remember, and probably don't realise the lyrics were suitably swapped around on account of their version being sung by a woman.
Fans are now saying that's not the only lyric change, and one in particular is causing them to point to the Mandela Effect as an explanation because there's no evidence it was originally the way they remember.
"I saw him standing there by the record machine...." is the way they remember it, but it's now "I saw him dancing there... ".
How old was Snow White?
- Ian Scott 0 Comments
In the original story, how old was Snow White?
MMDE: 14
Current: 7
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was made famous when the Brothers Grimm published it, as part of a set drawn from traditional fables, in 1812. The story became more and more popular the world over before Disney made their famous cartoon in 1937.
It tells of how the young Snow White was befriended by the seven dwarves and her battle with the vain Queen.
The issue here is just how young was she? Most people familar with the story from the cartoon assume she was in her teens, or early twenties at the most. It turns out that her age in the original novel, "Little Snow White" comes as quite a shock to many people: she was 7.
Even Disney thought they were being careful by doubling her age to 14 in their movie, but clearly by modern standards this is still disturbing.
What was on the Pulp fiction car plate?
- Ian Grogan 0 Comments
What did Winston Wolfe's car plate show?
MMDE: MRWOLF
Current: 3ABM581
There's a distinctive shot in Quentin Tarantinos "Pulp Fiction" at the end when the registration plate of Winston Wolfe, the mob's "Mr. Fixit", is shown as he drives away in his sports car.
Many people remember it being a vanity plate which read "MRWOLF", yet the movie today shows it as a typical random combination of no significance: "3ABM581".
People are convinced this is a Mandela Effect and say it doesn't make sense to be the way it is today, suggesting the shot is deliberate to emphasise his name, it's in keeping with Winstons character, plus the car was an expensive sports car of the kind where vanity plates are the norm.
How tall was Indiana Jones Hat?
- Tracy Cooper 0 Comments
How did Indiana Jones hat look?
MMDE: Regular Fedora
Current: Fedora as tall as a top hat
The YouTuber Mandela Affected posted a video where he was struck by how different the hat which Harrison Ford wore in the movie "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" looked. This was picked up by MoneyBags73 and has since hit many people, who also see the current hat as one which is very different to the one they remember.
The current one is brown and shaped at the bottom like a fedora, but overall the same size as a top hat more fitting to a wedding or funeral.
Since the movie is so famous, there are many images of the hat around the internet, but they all show this strange elongation which jumps out so much at those who remember it being a regular fedora.
Was Ebeneezer Scrooge a British MP?
- Joe Hill 0 Comments
Charlies Dickens Scrooge based on a British MP?
MMDE: Ebeneezer Scrooge was based on a British MP
Current: Ebeneezer Scrooge was not based on a real person
There is strong evidence to suggest Charles Dickens character Scrooge, from A Christmas Carol, was based on a real person, which comes a quite a surprise to many people who were sure he'd been totally invented by the Victorian author. Even more confusing is the name, because it turns out the name is from a real - but different - person to the one we're all familiar with.
The story of the name is that Dickens was in Edinburgh, Scotland when he happened upon a cemetery with a grave for Ebeneezer Lennox Scroggie. The writing was worn, but appeared to him to read "He was a mean man", when in fact it said "He was a meal man", describing his work. This stayed in Dickens mind when he came to write A Christmas Carol. It's ironic that in all probability, Mr Scroggie was a kind person because he delivered meals to people.
The character is just as interesting. John Elwes was actually a British MP who inherited two separate fortunes, but refused to spend any of it which was in accordance with the way he had been brought up.
Did Ramesses II need a passport?
- Ian Scott 0 Comments
Ramesses II Passport
MMDE: Ramesses II (1279-1213 BC) was issued a passport in 1974
Current: Ramesses II (1279-1213 BC) was not issued a passport in 1974
Sometimes the Mandela Effect is pointed to as explaining historical facts which seem to appear from nowhere, and they are expected to be much more widely known.
One such is the curious fact that Ramesses II was actually issued a passport in 1974, even though he'd been dead for thousands of years.
It was necessary to do this because his 3,000 year old body had to be flown to Paris for repairs, and the legislation in force did not take into account how long ago the individual died.
