Lore 249: Return Trip
Explore the sky-high history of human flight with "Lore," as Aaron Mahnke takes you through the audacious origins and evolution of aviation. From early kites lifting humans off the ground in ancient China to Leonardo da Vinci's mysterious and revolutionary designs, learn how humanity's dream of soaring high became a reality. This episode delves into the stories of daredevils like George Cayley, whose glider experiments laid the groundwork for the Wright Brothers' influential leap towards the skies, unlocking a new era of transport and military strategy.
Mahnke then guides through the shadowy junction of aviation and the supernatural, where tales of psychic predictions and haunted airfields stir the pot of historical fact with a dash of the otherworldly. Uncover the mysterious foresight of Irish psychic Eileen Garrett regarding the tragic R-101 airship, and consider the lingering spirit of Lt. Desmond Arthur as consequence and redemption unfold beyond the grave. The episode poses as much a historical inquiry as a spectral one, where the supernatural brushes against the metal and might of early airplanes, leaving listeners to wonder at the intersections of science, history, and mysticism.
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1-Page Summary
Early attempts at human flight
Human flight began with the invention of kites in China, where they were used for military purposes and in one case even for execution around 1000 BC. By 500 AD, kites capable of carrying a human were recorded. Centuries later, Leonardo da Vinci produced extensive drawings of flying machines, though his cryptic method of writing hid these ideas from his contemporaries. The 19th century saw George Cayley create successful human-carrying gliders in Europe, putting a boy and later an adult in flight. In France, a glider piloted by Henri Giffard flew over 17 miles. The breakthrough in powered flight came from the Wright Brothers in 1903, achieving controlled flight and within five years selling an airplane to the U.S. government, revolutionizing transportation.
Aviation advancements and risks
Post-Wright Brothers, aviation saw rapid military integration leading up to World War I with establishment of flying corps like Britain's Royal Flying Corps and airfields, like the first at Montrose, Scotland. The era was not without its tragedies. Lt. Desmond Arthur died when his BE-2 biplane broke mid-flight in 1913 due to either a flawed repair or pilot error. World War I also introduced combat functions for aircraft with manned machine guns and bombers fundamentally changing war. These early developments came with high risks as exemplified by the numerous aviator deaths during this experimental period of aviation history.
Psychic and supernatural aspects of aviation deaths
Aviation not only brings tales of technological feats and failures but also stories of psychic foresight and apparitions. Irish psychic Eileen Garrett had visions of the R-101 airship's 1930 doomed flight, which she tried to prevent. Her warnings went unheeded, and the airship crashed as she had foreseen. The spirit world seemingly revealed technical failures of the R-101 which were later substantiated by a journal found in 1967. The ghost of Lt. Desmond Arthur haunted Montrose airfield after being blamed for the crash that led to his death, only stopping when the erroneous report was retracted. In a contemporary case, James Leninger at two years old had vivid nightmares and gave detailed accounts resembling the wartime experiences of a deceased pilot, James Houston Jr. This raised questions as belief in reincarnation and psychic phenomena intertwined with recounted historical and technical accuracy regarding his supposed past life.
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Clarifications
- Leonardo da Vinci's cryptic method of writing involved using a form of mirror writing, where he wrote from right to left with reversed letters. This technique made his notes difficult to read for others but allowed him to keep his ideas private and protected. It is believed that da Vinci used this method to prevent his groundbreaking ideas and inventions from being easily understood or stolen by those who might come across his writings. Mirror writing was a common practice for da Vinci in his notebooks, which contained a wealth of sketches, scientific diagrams, and observations.
- The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was a branch of the British Army formed in 1912. It was the first organization in the world dedicated to military aviation. The RFC played a crucial role in the early development of military aviation and aerial warfare. In 1918, the RFC merged with the Royal Naval Air Service to form the Royal Air Force (RAF).
- During World War I, aircraft were equipped with manned machine guns, allowing pilots to engage in aerial combat. Bombers were also developed during this time, which were aircraft designed to carry and drop bombs on enemy targets. These advancements in aviation technology transformed the nature of warfare by introducing aerial warfare tactics and strategies.
- Psychic foresight and apparitions related to aviation deaths involve instances where individuals claim to have foreseen or experienced supernatural phenomena connected to aviation accidents. This can include premonitions, visions, or encounters with spirits of deceased aviators haunting locations associated with their deaths. Such stories often intertwine beliefs in psychic abilities, reincarnation, and the paranormal with historical events in aviation history.
- Eileen Garrett, an Irish psychic, claimed to have had visions foreseeing the tragic fate of the R-101 airship in 1930. She believed she saw the impending disaster and tried to warn others to prevent the crash. Despite her efforts, the airship met its doom as she had foreseen, leading to speculation about the supernatural aspects surrounding her visions. Garrett's alleged psychic abilities and the accuracy of her premonitions added a mysterious and intriguing dimension to the historical event.
- Lt. Desmond Arthur's ghost haunting Montrose airfield is a reference to a reported supernatural occurrence where it was believed that the spirit of Lt. Desmond Arthur lingered at the airfield after his death in a plane crash. This haunting was associated with the idea that Arthur's ghost was restless or seeking resolution due to being wrongly blamed for the crash. The mention of the ghost haunting Montrose airfield adds a supernatural element to the historical account of early aviation and the risks faced by aviators during that time. It highlights how folklore and paranormal beliefs sometimes intersect with real-life events, creating intriguing narratives around aviation history.
- James Leninger, as a young child, exhibited detailed knowledge and memories that closely matched the experiences of a World War II pilot named James Huston Jr. This phenomenon led to speculation about reincarnation and psychic connections, as James Leninger's accounts included specific details about aircraft carriers, battles, and other aspects of James Huston Jr.'s life. The case gained attention for the remarkable similarities between the two individuals' experiences, sparking discussions about the nature of consciousness and the possibility of past lives. James Leninger's story remains a subject of interest and debate in the realms of paranormal research and reincarnation studies.
Counterarguments
- The assertion that kites were used for execution around 1000 BC in China may require more historical evidence or context to be considered a widely accepted fact.
- While Leonardo da Vinci's drawings of flying machines were extensive, there is debate about whether they were practically feasible or intended as real designs for flight.
- The claim that George Cayley put a boy and later an adult in flight with his gliders might be challenged by emphasizing the lack of detailed records or eyewitness accounts to corroborate the flights' success.
- The statement that Henri Giffard flew a glider over 17 miles could be contested by noting the lack of contemporary documentation or by questioning the criteria used to measure the flight distance.
- The Wright Brothers' achievement in powered flight is sometimes contested by those who argue that other inventors, such as Gustave Whitehead or Alberto Santos-Dumont, achieved powered flight before or around the same time as the Wright Brothers.
- The role of aviation in World War I and its rapid military integration could be nuanced by discussing the concurrent development of aviation in other countries and the complex interplay of technological, strategic, and political factors.
- The cause of Lt. Desmond Arthur's death might be further debated, with some arguing for a more thorough examination of historical records to determine the exact cause.
- The stories of psychic foresight and apparitions, such as those involving Eileen Garrett and the ghost of Lt. Desmond Arthur, are often met with skepticism from those who require empirical evidence to support claims of the supernatural.
- The case of James Leninger's supposed past-life memories could be challenged by those who question the reliability of memories, especially in very young children, and the influence of suggestion or external information on such accounts.
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Early attempts at human flight
Humanity's quest to take to the skies has a history as inventive as it is daring. Early attempts at human flight sparked creativity and engineering prowess, leading to one of the greatest achievements in human history: powered, controlled flight.
Invention and use of kites for flight in China
Kites, one of the earliest forms of human flight, were utilized in China as far back as 1000 BC for military operations. By 500 AD, kites had evolved to be large enough to carry human weight, sometimes used for execution. One instance saw a Chinese emperor strapping prisoners to kites and pushing them from buildings, with at least one prisoner reportedly surviving after a safe landing. Even Marco Polo observed individuals lifted into the air by kites during his travels in China.
Leonardo da Vinci's drawings and ideas for mechanical flight
Decades later, Leonardo da Vinci's fascination with flight resulted in detailed technical drawings of flying machines. However, da Vinci's secretive writing style, penning his ideas in backward script, meant that his concepts of mechanical flight remained largely undiscovered for centuries, diminishing their immediate impact on the field of aviation.
Glider designs and early manned flights in 1800s Europe
The 19th century in Europe saw significant advancements in human attempts to fly. George Cayley, often referred to as the "Father of Aerodynamics," designed the first successful human-carrying glider. His early designs were tested with a 10-year-old boy, and later an adult flight reached about 900 feet. Additionally, in 1852, French engineer Henri Giffard managed to fly his glider over 17 miles, sto ...
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Early attempts at human flight
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Clarifications
- Kites were used in ancient China for various purposes, including military operations and entertainment. In some instances, prisoners were strapped to kites and launched from high places as a form of execution. This practice was a historical method of punishment that involved using kites to carry individuals through the air, often resulting in fatal falls. The use of kites for execution was a unique and unconventional method of punishment in ancient China, showcasing the diverse ways kites were utilized in different aspects of society.
- Leonardo da Vinci's secretive writing style involved using a form of mirror writing, where he wrote his notes in reverse script that could only be read by holding them up to a mirror. This technique was a way for da Vinci to protect his ideas and writings from being easily understood by others. It was a method of keeping his work private and secure, allowing him to explore his thoughts without immediate scrutiny.
- George Cayley, known as the "Father of Aerodynamics," tested his early glider designs with a 10-year-old ...
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Aviation advancements and risks
The early 20th century witnessed rapid advancements in aviation that brought both progress in air travel and military applications, as well as risks and significant early aviators' deaths.
Establishment of military flying corps and airfields in early 1900s
Following the achievements of the Wright Brothers in 1903, aviation technology significantly advanced, which led to the establishment of military flying corps and airfields in anticipation of World War I. In 1912, the British Army set up the Royal Flying Corps, which eventually evolved into the Royal Air Force. The first official military airfield was built in Montrose, Scotland.
Story of Lt. Desmond Arthur's fatal biplane crash in 1913
Lt. Desmond Arthur, a pilot with the No. 2 Squadron at Montrose, suffered a fatal accident in May 1913. While flying a BE-2 biplane at approximately 4,000 feet, the aircraft’s wing broke off, which caused the plane to disintegrate in the air and led to the subsequent crash. Eyewitness Macefield reported seeing the biplane descending from a higher altitude when suddenly part of the wing detached, the structure buckled and bent, and then the plane plummeted silently from the sky.
Investigations into Lt. Arthur’s crash yielded different attributions, ranging from a faulty repair to pilot error. Later, a report placed the blame on the mechanic who had worked on the aircraft.
Advent of manned machine guns and bombers during World War I
Initially, airplanes were primarily employed as reconnaissance tools during World War I to scout enemy positions from above. As the war progressed, the integration of firearms evolved, and by 1915, the first manned machine guns wer ...
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Aviation advancements and risks
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Clarifications
- A BE-2 biplane is a type of aircraft with two main wings stacked one above the other. Biplanes were common in early aviation due to their structural advantages but fell out of favor by the late 1930s due to increased drag. The BE-2 biplane was involved in a fatal accident in 1913, highlighting the risks early aviators faced. The design of biplanes allowed for lighter wing structures but required extensive bracing, leading to additional drag.
- During World War I, the integration of firearms on airplanes involved mounting machine guns on aircraft to engage in aerial combat. This advancement allowed pilots to shoot at enemy planes and targets from the air. The development of synchronized machine guns, which fired through the propeller arc without hitting the blades, was a crucial innovation. This integration marked a significant shift in the role of airplanes from reconnaissance to offensive warfare during the conflict.
- During World War I, manned machine guns were mounted on aircraft to allow pilots to fire at enemy planes and ground targets. This innovation enabled aerial combat and marked a significant advancement in military tactics. Pilots operated these machine guns manually, firing at targets while flying their aircraft. The integration of firearms on airplanes changed the nature of warfare during the conflict.
- During World War I, bombers were aircraft specifically designed to carry and drop explosives on enemy targets. They played an offensive role by conducting strategic bombing missions to inflict damage on enemy infrastructure, troops, and resources. This marked a significant evolution in warfare tactics, as it ...
Counterarguments
- The advancements in aviation during the early 20th century were not solely beneficial for air travel and military applications; they also contributed to the escalation of warfare capabilities and the intensification of conflicts.
- While the establishment of military flying corps and airfields was a significant development, it also led to the militarization of aviation technology, which could be viewed as a step towards more destructive forms of combat.
- The narrative of Lt. Desmond Arthur's crash may oversimplify the complexities of early aviation accidents, which were often the result of a combination of factors including design flaws, lack of understanding of aerodynamics, and inadequate pilot training, rather than solely faulty repairs or pilot error.
- The advent of manned machine guns and bombers did mark a significant evolution in warfare, but it also raised ethical questions about the impact of aerial warfare on civilian populations and the conduct of war.
- The characterization of the early eras of aviation as being marked by high stakes and hazards could overshadow the contributions and bravery of early aviators who pushed the boundaries of what was possible, despite the risks.
- The trial ...
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Psychic and supernatural aspects of aviation deaths
The world of aviation is not only filled with the tales of technological triumphs and tragedies but also with stories that teeter on the boundaries between the physical world and the supernatural. From premonitions to ghostly apparitions, some incidents seem to defy rational explanations.
Eileen Garrett's multiple visions foreseeing the doomed 1930 R-101 airship flight
Eileen Garrett, an Irish medium known for her psychic abilities, had a series of premonitions and visions about the R-101 airship that later proved tragically prescient. Garrett witnessed visions of a large, silver dirigible shrouded in smoke and making erratic movements. She received these visions both spontaneously and during seances, one of which was requested by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, where spirits warned of the airship being doomed.
Despite her attempts to warn authorities, she was dismissed, and her pleas went unheeded. On October 4, 1930, the R-101 crashed in France, killing 48 people, in conditions remarkably similar to those Garrett predicted. Garrett's premonitions spanned years, and after the crash, she reportedly conducted seances communicating with the deceased crew who provided technical details about the airship's flaws. Some suggested a government cover-up when personal journals, which documented the airship's problems and were mentioned by the spirits, were not found—but in 1967, one such journal was indeed discovered.
Ghostly sightings of Lt. Desmond Arthur after his 1913 crash
The tale of Lt. Desmond Arthur, who died in 1913 after his biplane crashed due to shoddy repair work, is surrounded by whispers of paranormal activity. Following an erroneous report blaming Arthur for the crash, his apparition began to appear regularly at the aerodrome where he was stationed. Reports of his ghostly sightings—walking towards the officer's mess or sitting at the foot of a bed—haunted the airbase. These occurrences persisted until the retraction of the report that faulted Arthur, after which the sightings ceased.
In 1963, on the 50th anniversary of Arthur's death, a remarkable encounter occurred. Sir Peter Macefield reported a flight with a man resembling Lt. Arthur, who vanished into thin air along with the biplane he was observed in during the flight.
The unusual repeated nightmare and memories of James Leninger/Houston
In more recent years, the case of James Leninger has captured the imagination of many. At two years old, he experienced recurri ...
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Psychic and supernatural aspects of aviation deaths
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Clarifications
- A seance is a gathering where individuals attempt to communicate with spirits or the deceased through a medium. Participants often sit in a circle, focusing on contacting spirits using various methods like meditation, prayer, or rituals. The purpose is to receive messages, guidance, or insights from the spiritual realm. Seances have been a part of spiritual and paranormal practices for centuries, aiming to bridge the gap between the living and the dead.
- Paranormal activity surrounding aviation incidents often involves reports of ghostly sightings or premonitions related to air disasters. These phenomena suggest a connection between the supernatural and aviation tragedies, challenging conventional explanations. Stories of ghostly apparitions, premonitions, and unexplained encounters contribute to the mystique surrounding these events. Such occurrences blur the lines between the physical world and the unknown, prompting contemplation on the mysteries beyond our current understanding.
- Eileen Garrett, a psychic medium, had visions of the doomed R-101 airship before its crash in 1930. Despite her attempts to warn authorities, her predictions were not heeded. After the crash, she reportedly communicated with the deceased crew through seances, uncovering technical details about the airship's flaws. Garrett's premonitions and the subsequent events raised questions about a potential government cover-up.
- Lt. Desmond Arthur's crash is significant due to the paranormal sightings of his ghost after his death in 1913. His apparition appearing at the aerodrome and the subsequent reports of ghostly sight ...
Counterarguments
- Skepticism about psychic abilities and premonitions, suggesting that Eileen Garrett's predictions could be coincidental or a result of retrofitting details after the event.
- The possibility that the technical details provided by the deceased crew in Garrett's seances were already known or guessed based on common knowledge of airship engineering at the time.
- The ghostly sightings of Lt. Desmond Arthur could be attributed to psychological phenomena such as pareidolia or the power of suggestion among the aerodrome personnel.
- The story of Sir Peter Macefield's encounter with a man resembling Lt. Arthur could be a fabricated or embellished tale, as there is no tangible evidence to support the claim.
- James Leninger's detailed knowledge of World War II aviation could be explained by exposure to documentaries, books, or conversations rather than reincarnation or supernatural memory.
- The recognition of a veteran by voice at the USS Natoma Bay reunion by James Leninger could be a coincidence or a result of coaching by his parents, consciously or unconsciously.
- The cessation of James Leninger's nightmares after visiting Chichijima could be a psychological ...
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