<DIV><p style="line-height: 150%;" class="headline">A book that proves idiocy is as old as time</p>Think civilization has deteriorated and that people these days are dumber than ever? <I>Dumb History</i> proves that we didn't invent stupidity in the 21st century. You'll find facts from throughout the ages about everyone from Cleopatra and Napoleon to Elvis Presley and even NASA scientists.<p style="line-height: 150%;" class="body"> Consider this: </p><ul type="disc" style="margin-top: 0in;"> <li style="color: black; text-align: left; line-height: 150%;" class="MsoNormal">In 820 C.E., Emperor Hsien Tsung's herbalist presented him with an anti-aging elixir—it killed him</li> <li style="color: black; text-align: left; line-height: 150%;" class="MsoNormal">In 1849, Brooklyn inventor Walter Hunt invented and patented the safety pin and then sold all the rights to his invention for $400. By the time he died penniless, the United States was producing an estimated five billion safety pins annually</li> <li style="color: black; text-align: left; line-height: 150%;" class="MsoNormal">In 1967, voters in the town of Picoaza, Ecuador, elected a brand of foot powder as their new mayor</li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"> It's a wonder we've survived as long as we have.</p></div>