A childhood belief about history

Not a belief of mine, but something I got my son to believe when he was about 5.

We were watching the Wizard of Oz, and when we got to the part where the world changes from black&white (OK, sepia) to full glorious Technicolor, my son became a little confused by this.

Now, I'm a bit of a prankster (which is a bit like saying water is a bit wet) and I do so like a good story, so conditions were perfect for a wee spot of invention just then.

I told him what happened was the world used to be in black and white, but, right during the filming of the movie, the world changed to color.

My son was very interested in numbers, so he asked when the film was made. I told him "1938".

He thought for a second, and then said, "Didn't you say grandpa was born in 1933 ? That makes him the same age as me when the world changed to color."

After praising him for his awesome subtraction skills, I said "Yep. Grandpa was the one who told me all about it. You should ask him the next time we visit."

As luck would have it, my brother's daughter had a christening about a month or two later at which the entire extended family gathered.

Yes. Yes, he did.

"So, Grandpa, what was it like when the world changed from black and white to color when you were my age ?"

Needless to say, Grandpa was a tad confused, but #1 son forged on ahead, explaining how "well, Grandpa, when you were 5, that was 1938 because Dad says you were born in 1933, the world changed from black and white to color, and there's proof because the movie the Wizard of Oz was made in 1938, and you can see it happen right there. Dad explained it to me."

Oh, dear, I did have rather a time explaining that one away. #1 son thought it was pretty funny, but Dad was less amused.