The Constant: A History of Getting Things Wrong

The Airship (Redux)

Jan 28, 2025
Dive into the fascinating misadventures of Wallace Tillinghast, a steamfitting vice president torn between social expectations and dreams of flight. Discover the tragic story of the Wingfoot Express airship fire, where personal and historical narratives collide. Experience the chilling mystery of a winter night in 1909, as residents are entranced by a mysterious airship in the sky. Lastly, unravel humanity's long-standing obsession with flight, from ancient legends to eerie sightings that blur the line between reality and the supernatural.
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ANECDOTE

Worcester's Night Of The Airship

  • On December 22, 1909, thousands in Worcester watched a mysterious craft sweep overhead with a bright spotlight and humming engine.
  • Witnesses reported details like rigging and two men aloft, though views were inconsistent and blurred by darkness.
INSIGHT

Public Skepticism Lagged Behind Aviation Progress

  • Public belief in flight advanced unevenly: early flights existed but public conviction lagged behind real progress.
  • The Wrights' modest early flights looked unimpressive until subsequent demonstrations shifted public perception.
ANECDOTE

California's 1896 Airship Wave

  • In November 1896 a mysterious
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