Pirates wore eye patches because the inside of the s.h.i.+p was usually much darker. Therefore they used eyepatches to keep one eye adjusted to the dark. During raids, they could move the eyepatch to the other eye to drastically improve their night vision.

Back then, simple infections were a big problem. A small splinter could lead to a disabled eye or an amputated limb. And thus the terrifying image of a pirate was born.

While pa.s.sing the tropical islands, they naturally had to bring a few of the pretty colorful birds along. During the long sailing sessions, they would train these parrots as a way to combat boredom.

Most of the first pirates were sailors. They were always under a huge amount of stress and at some point decided they had enough. Thus they mutinied and started to live their lives like Robin Hoods, stealing from the rich to settle scores (not exactly giving to the poor).

The impression we have of pirates is completely outdated. Modern ones are very well equipped and organized. They now don night-vision goggles and carry AK-47s, heavy machine guns, and rocket launchers. They also navigate with GPS devices and use sophisticated speedboats mounted with heavy mortars to target s.h.i.+ps. Most of them are a part of organized crime gangs and target anything from cargo s.h.i.+ps to cruise s.h.i.+ps.