The Fascinating Sleep Habits of Geniuses that Changed the World
From ancient Greece to Albert Einstein.
Welcome to this edition of Sleepletter where we offer you easy-to-read insights from the latest research papers from the field of sleep neurobiology and clinical sleep medicine. We hope you enjoy the content!
Sleep that Changed the World
While for most individuals, the act of sleep unfolds according to a well-established and predictable pattern, history unveils a captivating tapestry of extraordinary sleep habits exhibited by some of the most iconic and influential figures in human civilization. These luminaries, often known for their groundbreaking contributions to science, art, literature, and warfare, transcended the conventional norms of sleep. Their unique approaches to rest not only challenge the standard eight-hour sleep paradigm but also provide intriguing glimpses into the intersections of creativity, productivity, and the enigmatic world of dreams.
Picture Thomas Edison, the luminary inventor of the lightbulb who scoffed at conventional sleep habits. Edison's bedtime was a departure from the norm—instead of embracing a continuous eight-hour rest, he claimed that he never slept more than four hours a night and he championed polyphasic sleep. In this eccentric approach, he divided his repose into multiple short naps throughout the day and night. Edison believed this fragmented sleep schedule lit the fires of his creativity, proving that sometimes, genius thrives on unconventional sleep patterns.
In the annals of military history, Napoleon Bonaparte stands tall – well, relatively speaking. The man who redefined warfare with his strategic brilliance was also known for his four-hour sleep regimen. For Napoleon, this abbreviated rest provided a tactical advantage, allowing him to maintain a relentless pace on the battlefield. His unique sleep pattern reminds us that even in the midst of conquest, one can challenge the norms of slumber.
The literary world witnessed its own nocturnal luminary in Charles Dickens. The author of timeless classics like "A Tale of Two Cities" and "Oliver Twist" was an insomniac who turned his sleeplessness into inspiration. Dickens embarked on midnight walks through the gas-lit streets of London, finding solace and creative fuel in the city's nocturnal solitude. These nighttime wanderings not only fueled his imagination but also shaped the vivid, atmospheric settings of his novels.
Salvador Dalí, the enigmatic surrealist artist, blurred the lines between reality and dreams with his eccentric "sleep" experiments. In a surreal ritual, Dalí would sit with a spoon held above a plate, drifting into sleep. The moment his consciousness slipped into the dream world, the spoon would slip from his grasp and fall, thus waking them up from a stage bridging dreams and reality. These dream-infused artworks were a testament to Dalí's belief in the creative power of the subconscious. Funnily enough, a scientific paper showed that this technique might actually boost creativity, as the researchers found that there is a creative sweet spot within the sleep-onset period (stage 1 of sleep).
Then, there's Benjamin Franklin, a founding father with an affinity for the early hours. He had a sleep routine that some people might relate to. Franklin famously coined the adage, "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." His daily routine was a testament to this maxim, beginning at the break of dawn. Franklin welcomed the day's first light, fostering both personal discipline and intellectual brilliance.
There are many other brilliant minds with, to say the least, unusual sleep routines. Leonardo da Vinci and Nikola Tesla, who blessed the world with incredible art and alternating current (AC) electricity, supposedly slept for a total of two hours per day, in which they took 20 minute naps roughly every 4 hours – something known as the Uberman polyphasic sleep cycle. On the other hand, there’s Albert Einstein, one of the most famous scientists ever to have lived. He allegedly slept the most out of all the celebrities in this article – a whopping 10 hours!. This just goes to show that the duration of sleep might not be the most determining factor when it comes to forming geniuses. Still, please do not neglect the importance of sleep because of a myriad of health reasons.
These historical figures' quirky sleep habits may seem eccentric, but they offer us a unique lens through which to explore the human experience of sleep. Whether it's polyphasic slumber, midnight walks, or dream-infused artistry, these peculiar sleep patterns remind us that, throughout history, sleep has been as much an art as it is a science — a canvas where creativity, genius, and individuality converge in the world of dreams.
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About the author
Alen Juginović is a medical doctor and postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School studying the effect of poor sleep quality on health. He is keynote speaker and teacher at Harvard College. He and his team also organize international award-winning projects such as Nobel Laureate conferences, congresses with leaders in medicine, charity concerts and other events. Feel free to contact Alen via LinkedIn for any inquiries.