[monochr]

This is the typical great man myth that gets promulgated by their publicists to make them seem more than human. As a rule they are either out right lies or greatly exaggerated, other myths of this type is Kennedy reading 1000 words per minute, Napoleon listening to reports, reading a letter and dictating laws all at the same time, or Stalin single handedly designing the first five year plan.

[juliangregorian]

It's almost certainly a myth in Edison's case. Seems like he considered it his brand in a way. Reports from his contemporaries are that he slept much more than he would have liked to admit.

http://www.supermemo.com/articles/polyphasic.htm#Thomas%20Al...

[j1o1h1n]

I've always like Prince Shotoku, able to follow ten conversations at the same time.

[Immortalin]

For speed readers, 1000 wpm is actually pretty standard.

[monochr]

Yeah, no: http://www.slate.com/articles/briefing/articles/2000/02/the_...

[bigtunacan]

1000 words per minute doesn't seem outlandish. My 10 year old already reads at over 300 wpm.

[monochr]

I got married yesterday. If the trend continues tomorrow I will be doubling the number of wives I have every day. I expect to be married to the whole human race by the end of the month.

Your childs increase in reading speed by contrast is highly unimpressive.

[aswanson]

Stalin designing the first 5 year plan doesnt sound impressive. It sounds like an idiotic idea resulting from an idiot, with predictably idiotic centrally planned results.

[monochr]

The first 5 year plan was the most successful piece of industrial policy by any country in the world until the Chinese opening of their market. What's even more impressive is that it happened in the middle of the great depression without outside help: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_five-year_plan_%28Soviet...