Chapter 7-Page 123
From the difference, these thinkers estimated the size of the Earth, and they did all this way back in B.C. times. So in 1492, Columbus wasn't as brave as we thought, just slow.
A popular cartoon-series called "B.C.", about a group of cave people, ran for many years. My favorite story was one where the cosmologist of the group gave a lecture about our planet. In the first picture, he held up a flat rock and said, "We used to think the Earth was flat like this, and if we sail to the edge (he points), we fall off."
He then holds up a round rock and continues, "But I think the Earth is round. Now we can sail around to here."
"Then we fall off."
We have the related story about the old lady cornering the scientist. "The Earth is flat and standing on the back of a turtle," she told him. He asked, "Ah, but what is the turtle standing on?" She said, "You can't fool me. It's turtles all the way."
