The 1890s airship sightings were not a result of misidentifications or hoaxes

The 1890s airship sightings cannot be explained by misidentifications or hoaxes. People were familiar with the night sky and the proposed misidentifications, such as meteors or comets, do not match the characteristics of the reported airships. While some hoaxes likely occurred, they cannot account for the widespread and consistent nature of the reports. Railroad workers have been suggested as possible hoaxers, but their role doesn't explain the sightings that originated independently of the rail lines. Newspaper hoaxes also do not provide a viable explanation, as the airship stories were treated as real news, not identified as hoaxes, and there would be significant risks and repercussions for newspapers engaged in such activities.