Welcome to the Apocryphal History of Flight! Hosted by Dr. Cory Trunkhill (PhD), this show will discuss the myths, legends, and early pioneers of flight from before the Wright Brothers. We will also explore technological advances such as the kite, balloons, and gliders. This history will attempt to maintain a narrative chronological format, though there will be some deviations for interest. You can contact the host via Facebook, X, or at apocflight@gmail.com.
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We arrive at the split between balloons and dirigibles, to include blimps and Zeppelins. This episode examines all the constituent parts of dirigibles before we look at the life of Henri Giffard, the first man to construct a practical dirigible and initiate powered flight! Also, it’s this podcast’s first anniversary!
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18 Aug 2026
Episode 13 - Legends and Cryptids
Welcome back! This episode includes: Flying Carpets, Witches’ Broomstick, Mothman, Vampires, Dragons, and Foo Fighters! This legends and cryptids episode is a fun look at the stories that influenced flight and remain mysteries for the ages.
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20 May 2026
Update 1 - May 2026
Just a quick update on me taking some time for professional development. The next episode on legends and cryptids is on the way.
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27 Apr 2026
Episode 12 - Balloon Mania
This episode covers the exciting developments in ballooning from the 1780’s to the 1900’s. There will be firsts, records, women aeronauts, war balloons, balloon bombs, the premier aircraft carrier, and the first and only aerial ballooning duel for the honor of an opera dancer!
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3 Apr 2026
Episode 11 - They all float down here!
Scientists are stymied trying 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 succeed in capturing gas. 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 flies across the English Channel without his trousers. There's more tales to boot as aerostats and aeronauts become legends!
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6 Mar 2026
Episode 10 - Aerostats Assemble!
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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17 Feb 2026
Episode 9 - Bogey Birdmen
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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22 Jan 2026
Episode 8 - The Tower Jumpers, Part III
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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17 Dec 2025
Episode 7 - Christmas Flight Special!
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!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
21 Nov 2025
Episode 6 - The Tower Jumpers, Part II
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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7 Nov 2025
Episode 5 - The Tower Jumpers, Part I
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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24 Oct 2025
Episode 4 - Wooden Doves to Paper Airplanes
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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10 Oct 2025
Episode 3 - Flying Chairs
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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26 Sept 2025
Episode 2 - Kites, Manned vs Carrying vs Lifting
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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11 Sept 2025
Episode 1 - Icarus and Daedalus
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!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
8 Sept 2025
Episode 0
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
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