The Apocryphal History of Flight

Episode 11 - They all float down here!

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Scientists are stymied when attempting to capture hydrogen until a Montgolfier brother stumbles across "Montgolfier gas" which triggers the race to First Manned Flight! Meanwhile, Jacques Charles and the Robert brothers do succeed in finally solving how to capture hydrogen. 1783 is a banner year with Charles's balloon being stabbed to death by farmers while the Montgolfier brothers get the royal treatment. This episode will see French royals, Ben Franklin, farm animals, and a scientist flying across the English channel throw his trousers into the ocean. There's more tales to boot as aerostats and aeronauts become legends!

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Episode 10 - Aerostats Assemble!

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 13:00:00 GMT

The history of aviation reaches a watershed period with new theories and technologies swirling to constitute the beginnings of lighter than air aircraft, or aerostats if you like the fancier term. The concept of the vacuum, barometer, gas, heat, rubber, and animal bladders all combine with shear intuition to form the newest branch of aviation. Also Mongolians terrify the Polish with Chinese sky lanterns!

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Episode 9 - Bogey Birdmen

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 20:49:16 GMT

We take a look at some of the lesser known aviation pioneers from the Age of the Enlightenment. Were some completely made up? How many were persecuted? Why were clergy so willing to fly? Did whales play a key role in the development of aviation? Listen in to find out the answers to these questions as we look at the forerunners in the advancement of flight.

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Episode 8 - The Tower Jumpers, Part III

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:44:55 GMT

On this last installment of the tower jumpers, we look at a pair of brothers from Istanbul. One who glides over the Bosporus and is exiled and the other who uses a rocket powered glider to splash down into the sea and was exiled. We finish with an eccentric French nobleman who half-succeeded and ended up with a broken leg.

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Episode 7 - Christmas Flight Special!

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

On this very special holiday episode, we examine not only Santa's Sleigh and flying reindeer, but some of the quirky and lesser-known holiday personalities and animals who also fly to deliver yuletide joy, and also maybe dread. Listen in as we look at just who they are and how they do it! Happy Holidays from The Apocryphal History of Flight!

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Episode 6 - The Tower Jumpers, Part II

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 14:00:00 GMT

In Tower Jumpers Part II we start with someone who tried using an oversized robe in Constantinople. The next subject is a Portuguese schoolteacher with a biplane style design. Our last jumper for this episode was an Abbot who leapt from Stirling Castle in Scotland. Which of these were the most successful is subjective. Listen in and pick your favorite!

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Episode 5 - The Tower Jumpers, Part I

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 15:00:00 GMT

In The Tower Jumpers, Part I, we start with a British King who takes flight instruction from the dead. We then see a magician come to a sticky end in Rome. After that a Muslim intellectual ends up with a sore back for his efforts in Spain. One honorable mention from a dictionary producer who may have thought he was a bird. Then we end with a flying Monk back on the British Isles.

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Episode 4 - Wooden Doves to Paper Airplanes

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 14:00:00 GMT

In this episode we take a look at the smaller scale advancements and oddities from antiquity. Did the Greeks have steam-powered wooden footballs? Did the Egyptians have large load carrying gliders? Were helicopters zooming around Renaissance Italy? And did the Chinese throw paper airplanes just to annoy others? Listen in and find out!

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Episode 3 - Flying Chairs

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 12:38:46 GMT

On this episode, flying chairs are discussed and dissected. Could eagles (or gryphons) lift kings to survey their lands? And were rocket chairs ahead of their time? The show ends on a real-life legend of aviation infamy.

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Episode 2 - Kites, Manned vs Carrying vs Lifting

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 14:00:00 GMT

Kites were not always the innocent fun activity that brings back nostalgic memories of childhood. From the early beginnings, kites had a fundamental role in warfare. Also, why aren't they considered the "first manned-flight vehicle"? Listen in and find out this and more hidden historical facts about kites!

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Episode 1 - Icarus and Daedalus

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 18:39:57 GMT

We explore the mythical Icarus and Daedalus. Could it have been possible to make a set of wings and escape a prison/maze with a monster on their heals? Listen in and find out!

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Episode 0

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 16:32:04 GMT

In this episode, Dr. Trunkhill explains who he is, why this show, and what this show is all about. This is the primer for the series.

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