Dan Snow's History Hit
D.B. Cooper & the 70s Hijacking Craze
Mar 25, 2024
John Wigger, a History Professor, discusses the 1970s hijacking craze inspired by D.B. Cooper. Topics include the tactics of hijackers, the era of airline hijackings, daring intervention incidents, chaotic aftermaths of plane damage, and the evolution of airline security. The podcast explores the lasting impact of the DB Cooper case and the trend of skyjackings in the 70s.
41:40
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- DB Cooper's daring heist inspired a wave of copycat hijackings in the 70s.
- The 1970s hijacking craze led to the implementation of stricter security measures in aviation history.
Deep dives
The Hijacking Craze of the 1970s
In the 1970s, a wave of airline hijackings swept through America, with over 140 incidents occurring between 1968 and 1972. These hijackings were marked by the daring actions of individuals like DB Cooper, who inspired a series of copycat crimes involving ransom demands and parachute escapes. The period of hijacking coincided with a turbulent era of political, social, and cultural change, reflecting the unraveling of the national fabric. Despite the initial lack of security measures and public nonchalance towards hijackings, the escalating violence and frequency of incidents led to a shift in public opinion and the implementation of stricter security protocols.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
