Building the First Zeppelin (Premium)
00:00 Hi, Thomas here. You're listening to a preview episode. You can enjoy the entire story tonight by subscribing to our supporters' feed. There you'll get access to the entire back catalogue, bonus episodes, and more, and it's all completely ad-free. Click the link below to learn more. And thank you so so much. Me and the team really appreciate your support. Ferdinand von Zeppelin stood at the entrance to his long, lush garden and looked up at the blue sky above. The year was 1890. At the age of 52, Ferdinand had already lived a full and exciting life. As he watched the white clouds drift slowly by, Ferdinand thought about all he had achieved in his career.
01:12 He'd spent much of it working with the German military, which had afforded him many opportunities. Like the clouds that passed overhead, he had travelled all over the world. He'd even made it across the ocean to America, where he served as an official observer with the Union Army during the Civil War. But now, in early retirement, Ferdinand felt as if there was still so much more to do, as if he had yet to fulfil his life's true potential. The sound of laughter brought Ferdinand out of his daydream and back to where he stood in the garden. He turned to see his 11-year-old daughter, Helena, or hella for short, running gleefully
02:14 through the hall toward him. In her hands, she held a bright yellow kite. It was a gift from her uncle, given to her during a recent trip to Berlin. She was excited as she told her father that finally the weather was perfect for flying a kite. Ferdinand smiled at her, agreeing that it certainly seemed like a good day for it. With that, heller took her father's hand. As they walked across the neatly cropped grass, Ferdinand thought of his own childhood, here at the mana house, that was his ancestral home. The ground house was located high on a hill surrounded by open fields that stretched as far as the eye could see. In the distance was a large
03:19 forest where he would often go to play with his brother and sister. And just beyond the trees, shimmed the blue expanse of lake constants. In the summer, the local children would often gather there to swim in the crisp, cool water, which provided a little respite from the hot sun overhead. Ferdinand had loved the freedom that life here afforded him and his siblings. His memories of running through the fields and swimming in the lake were some of his most treasured. And now, in retirement, he had the chance to witness his daughter's love of the place. Ferdinand watched hella place the kite gently on the grass and take the wood in hand when her fingers. She stepped back across the lawn, carefully
04:28 unspooling the string that connected the fabric and the wood. When it was completely unfound, she started to run. Faster and faster, she darted across the grass. Behind her, the yellow kite lifted into the air. As the kite caught the wind, it flapped and fluttered like a bird, dancing on the current. Ferdinand encouraged his daughter to keep a firm grip, telling her that it needed to be guided. For the rest of the afternoon, Ferdinand and Heller played with the kite. Together, they watched with delight as it sawed high above the manor grounds. They marveled as it flew and wondered if it might be spotted by people bathing in the
05:34 waters of Lake Constance. What would those distant viewers think it was. A large yellow bird perhaps, or maybe a trick of the light against the blue sky. Later that night, Ferdinand told his wife Isabella about the fun they had in the garden. Isabella enjoyed hearing how quickly her daughter had mastered the kite. Ferdinand told Isabella it reminded him of his time in America. There he watched as Union Army soldiers took to the skies to look for movement on the ground. They floated in baskets which were attached to massive balloons. From such great heights, Ferdinand explained, the soldiers could survey the landscape for
06:36 miles in all directions. But it would be even better if a ship could fly freely. Its passengers going wherever they pleased. He imagined them soaring over the green fields around the manner and floating above the calm blue water of Lake Constance. It was this picture he followed into his dreams as he drifted off to sleep. you
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