Who Invented Flat Earth Theory: A Look at the Origins of This Misconception

The concept of flat earth theory has been around for centuries, with various individuals contributing to its development and popularization over time. However, it is difficult to pinpoint a single person who 'invented' the idea, as it has evolved through the aggregation of various misconceptions and misunderstandings.

One of the earliest recorded proponents of flat earth theory was Aristarchus of Samos, a Greek philosopher who lived in the 3rd century BCE. He proposed that the Earth revolves around the Sun, which challenged the dominant geocentric view at the time. However, his ideas were largely ignored until centuries later when Copernicus revived them.

In modern times, flat earth theory has gained significant attention through social media and online platforms. The Flat Earth Society, founded in the 1950s by Samuel Shenton, is one of the most well-known organizations promoting this idea. Shenton argued that the Earth was flat because there was no conclusive evidence to support the existence of curvature.

In recent years, the popularity of flat earth theory has been fueled by various individuals and groups claiming to have conducted 'experiments' to prove its validity. One such example is a 'spirit level experiment' where participants allegedly measured the tilt of a spirit level on a plane to demonstrate that it remained level throughout its journey, supposedly proving that the Earth is flat.

However, experts like Lee McIntyre, a published author and Research Fellow at Boston University's Center for Philosophy and History of Science, have criticized such experiments as fundamentally flawed. According to McIntyre, these attempts at testing the theory demonstrate a lack of understanding about how science works.

In an interview with iored Panda, McIntyre shared his experience attending a Flat Earth convention in 2018 where he witnessed someone bragging about conducting this very experiment. 'They are to be commended for actually trying to test their hypothesis, but of course they don’t understand at all how science actually works,' he said.

McIntyre pointed out that the experiment failed to account for measurable compensation for curvature, which is a crucial aspect of understanding the Earth's shape. He provided an example of this concept by explaining that according to curvature math given to explain the globe model, there should be a 5-mile compensation for every mile traveled at a constant altitude.

To further illustrate his point, McIntyre shared his own experience recording a 23-minute and 45-second time-lapse of a plane's journey, which would have covered over 203 miles. He noted that if the Earth were flat, there should be no measurable compensation for curvature, but in reality, this is not what was observed.

The origins of flat earth theory are complex and multifaceted, with various individuals contributing to its development over time. While it is difficult to pinpoint a single person who 'invented' the idea, understanding the misconceptions and misunderstandings behind it can help us better address the persistence of this misconception.

Who invented flat earth theory