[Harmless Teddy Bear]

His math was very bad. People tried to tell him that the world was much bigger then he thought but he didn't buy it. The myth that he was proving that the world was round was just that, a myth. People in that era knew the world was round and they had a pretty good idea how big it was.

If it had not been for the existence of the Americas where he could do repairs and take on food and water he never would have made it back.

The scholars of the day were right and Columbus was wrong.

But that is not nearly as inspiring a story so that part gets left out.

The Disneification of history predates Walt Disney. :)

[DoughtyOne]

I’m not particularly interested if Columbus was a sage. He may very well have run into the Americas by mistake. I think that’s on the record.

The fact is he did find the Americas at the time he did, and it did lead to others coming along.

Think of all the things in this world discovered while someone was trying to confirm or explore a different premise or object. They still get the credit for their discoveries none the less.

I don’t think Columbus has to have been right to be credited with his discovery.

I don’t see that as a big scandal. It’s the way it often works.