Ridiculous History CLASSIC: Lawsonomy: How the Father of the Modern Airline Started His Own Religion
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May 10, 2025 Discover the fascinating life of Alfred Lawson, from his days as a mediocre baseball player to becoming the father of modern airlines. His passion for aviation sparked not only innovations in air travel but also led him to establish his own peculiar religion. Explore the intersection of economic theory and spirituality, and delve into his controversial philosophies like Lawsonomy. The hosts share light-hearted anecdotes while reflecting on Lawson's eccentricities and the lasting impact of his unconventional ideas.
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Lawson’s Early Baseball and Aviation Journey
- Alfred Lawson started as a mediocre professional baseball player who disliked the lifestyle.
- He then became an early aviation enthusiast and innovator, publishing magazines and designing airliners.
Inventor of the Modern Airliner
- Lawson envisioned planes as sky buses, pioneering the modern airliner concept.
- He convinced engineers to build it, debuting the largest U.S. non-military plane in 1920.
Ambition Leads to Aviation Failure
- Lawson kept pushing bigger aircraft despite failures, culminating in a crashed 100-seat plane.
- His backers lost confidence and funding dried up amid recession and technical setbacks.