Talk:Egg of Columbus

True?
I am a bit dubious of this Columbus egg story as it is the same story that is told of Brunelleschi winning the contract to build the dome of the cathedral of Florence. What is the source for Columbus? Rmhermen 13:54, Mar 2, 2004 (UTC)


 * There is the site I referenced, though there are different sites with the same story ...
 * I can get others ... [or, just do a google search]
 * My main interest is the Tesla citation ...
 * Sincerely, JDR [ps. I'll include that Brunelleschi info into the article]
 * Small end down isn't the way to do it; the air bubble is at the big end, that works a lot better being smashed on the table. I'm not saying that Columbus didn't do it small end down, since I didn't witness the attempt, but doing so would be a neat trick in itself.Gzuckier 16:01, 6 Apr 2005 (UTC)yes

The way I first heard the story, Columbus' challenge was in response to a critic who claimed that discovering a continent isn't so great, anyone could do it - it's there. After the demonstration he pointed out that anyone could do the trick, but he was the one who did it.

Split Tesla
these are really two entirely different things and I believe they should each have their own page. I would propose to create a new article called Egg of Columbus (Tesla). GS3 01:50, 12 September 2007 (UTC)

Historical Accuracy
Did this story really happen? OR is it just a story? I think that needs to be addressed as some people are taking this as historical fact, but, is it? Sexkcd (talk) 00:42, 4 September 2008 (UTC)


 * It doesn't matter here, as long as the story is verifiable.- (User) WolfKeeper (Talk) 01:16, 4 September 2008 (UTC)

Maybe it was kept as rumor by someone wanting to disparage his achievement ( e.g. in the Hogarth print, is the artist trying to present some back-handed compliment and impart a reaction in the viewer as- 'look, doesn't he realize, all that's necessary is to spin the (boiled)egg on a plate ,thus demonstrating the rudimentary instrument of navigation, John Serson's "Whirling Speculum" ) However, the exercise may not have allowed use of boiled egg and besides a spinning egg would not stand upright for a long time. SignedJohnsonL623 (talk) 07:54, 29 June 2014 (UTC)

Broken reference
The [4] reference is broken; the archived article is not available.

84.212.194.110 (talk) 22:58, 2 February 2014 (UTC)

Doubtful statement

 * The expression refers to an apocryphal story in which Christopher Columbus, having been told that discovering the Americas was inevitable and no great accomplishment ...

Since, as I understand it, Columbus never believed that he had discovered the Americas (i.e. a new continent), this description doesn't read right to me, even if the story is apocryphal. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.149.72.198 (talk) 19:34, 14 October 2014 (UTC)

Source of the story
Broken writing, image not there DemonDays64 (talk) 21:09, 14 November 2018 (UTC)

"Yeah, but you didn’t" listed at Redirects for discussion
A discussion is taking place to address the redirect Yeah, but you didn’t. The discussion will occur at Redirects for discussion/Log/2021 July 6 until a consensus is reached, and readers of this page are welcome to contribute to the discussion. signed,Rosguill talk 15:58, 6 July 2021 (UTC)