25 things you didn’t know about Wonder Woman

4. Her creator was an interesting guy

Really, that’s something of an understatement. William Moulton Marston was a free spirit sort of guy in early 20th century America, to the point where he was part of an apparently successful polyamorous relationship, earned a PhD in psychology, and helped to create the polygraph test.

No, I’m not kidding about any of that. In fact, the two women who were simultaneously involved with Marston, his wife Elizabeth Holloway Marston and partner Olive Byrne, actually influenced the creation of Wonder Woman. More on that in a minute, though.

William Moulton Marston also created the systolic blood pressure test, which became an important part of the polygraph still used (to varying effect) today. Elizabeth had suggested that there may be a connection between an individual’s blood pressure and their emotional state. William took it from there.

He wasn’t perfect, though. Moulston in general had some awkward ideas about gender, including notions about men being inherently violent and women who inherently want to submit to loving authority. At the same time, however, he also championed what he believed to be women’s superiority in given realms. Women, he claimed, were often more honest than men. He also said that they could work faster and more efficiently than men in certain situations.

It’s not a perfect worldview by our modern reckoning, but still a far sight better than many other men of his day. At the very least, you should consider inviting Marston (with Elizabeth and Olive, of course) to your next imaginary dinner party.