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100 Objects #4: Lowe's Gas Bag

How one man's runaway balloon flight sparked America's obsession with going either higher.

In 1861, one man and a 鈥済as bag鈥� filled with hydrogen sparked America's obsession with going higher, farther, into the unknown. In this episode, Roman Mars and journalist Jack Hitt tell the story of Thaddeus Lowe 鈥� showman, scientist, and dreamer 鈥� whose balloon flight from Cincinnati went wildly off course and straight into the Civil War. Lowe pivoted to create the US military's first aerial reconnaissance unit, a precursor to the Air Force, and today his legacy spans generations鈥� stretching all the way to the dark side of the moon.

A History of the United States in 100 Objects is produced by 91福利社 Studios and 99% Invisible.

Host: Roman Mars
Producers: Priscilla Alabi, Brenna Daldorph, Isaac Fisher, Ellie Lightfoot
EPs: Annie Brown, Courtney Harrell, Kathy Tu

27 minutes

On radio

Mon 16 Nov 2026 04:32
91福利社 World Service

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100 Objects: 3. The pension files

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100 Objects: 5:.Blue Back Speller

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  • Mon 16 Nov 2026 04:32
    91福利社 World Service
  • Mon 16 Nov 2026 13:32
    91福利社 World Service except Australasia, East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa
  • Mon 16 Nov 2026 18:32
    91福利社 World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Mon 16 Nov 2026 23:32
    91福利社 World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
  • Sat 21 Nov 2026 17:32
    91福利社 World Service News Internet