How Cats Secretly Shaped Human History

Good night friend 🌚

Welcome to another day of Joy Hour, your dose of positivity and inspiration! Ever thought about the role of cats in world history? It turns out our feline friends have been around for thousands of years, not just as pets but as pivotal figures in our journey through time. In today’s Joy Hour, let’s dive into a furry history lesson with Eva-Maria Geigl’s fascinating TED talk, "The History of the World According to Cats.”

In partnership with

Exclusive alert! HubSpot's ChatGPT workday guide just dropped - with 100 AI prompts to supercharge your productivity. Download it free! More below.

You know that cat sitting on your couch right now? Well, their family story goes way back – like, thousands of years back! And it's actually pretty cool.

Here's the story: About 9,000 years ago, when people first started farming and storing food, they had a big problem. Mice were everywhere, eating all their grain. Not fun, right?

That's when wild cats started showing up. They weren't trying to be friends – they just wanted to catch those mice! But people quickly noticed how helpful these cats were. "Hey, these cats are getting rid of our mouse problem!" And just like that, a friendship began.

These clever cats didn't stop there. They started hopping onto ships (which also had lots of mice), and that's how they traveled the world. From Egypt to Europe, from Viking ships to Asian trade routes, cats became the original world travelers.

In Egypt, people loved cats so much they treated them like royalty. Hurting a cat was a huge no-no, and rich families even gave their cats jewelry to wear. Pretty fancy, right?

But here's the best part: unlike dogs or horses, cats weren't tamed by humans. They chose to hang out with us! Scientists like Eva-Maria Geigl found that cats pretty much domesticated themselves. Typical cat behavior, wouldn't you say? 😄

Fun Cat Facts That'll Blow Your Mind 🤯

Ever wondered what makes our feline friends so special? Here are some amazing facts that'll make you say "Wait, what?"

• Your cat is secretly an athlete! They can jump 6x their length (imagine you jumping across a whole house!)

• Like us, cats have unique nose prints - it's their version of a fingerprint

• These sleepy champions spend 70% of their lives snoozing (about 16 hours a day!)

• Don't share your candy - cats can't taste sweet things at all

• Speed demons: Cats can sprint at 30 mph, faster than Olympic champion Usain Bolt!

• Their whiskers are as wide as their body - nature's measuring tape for tight spaces

• There are over 500 million house cats living their best lives around the world

• That purring isn't just cute - it can actually help heal bones and muscles

• Fun word of the day: A group of cats is called a "clowder" (show off this new word to your friends!)

Which fact surprised you the most? Hit reply and let me know! 😺

Take a look at this bee-cat from @beehiiv. Isn’t Alice lovely? Thanks Em for the pic :)

If you have any cute pic you’d like to share please reply and I’ll feature it in an upcoming issue.

Ready to revolutionize your workday with AI?

Discover the key to unlocking unparalleled productivity with HubSpot’s free guide to using ChatGPT at work. You’ll find practical insights, useful integrations, and 100 prompt ideas to help you unleash the power of AI for a more efficient, impactful professional life.

Download the free guide and level up your AI game today!

“In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.” ― Terry Pratchett

💌 Have more to say? Reply to this email with your thoughts!

Enjoyed this issue of Joy Hour? Share it with your friends.

See you next time for more inspiring stories! 👋