When I was in Washington, DC, a few weeks ago, I stopped at the International Spy Museum before leaving. I could have stayed in there for hours, and it was incredible to see these gadgets and spy equipment that we normally only see in movies. But a set of pictures intrigued me. They were of both Union and Confederate soldiers using the topic of today’s episode to spy on one another.
Not only would they use this to observe the enemy, but they were also able to learn the terrain of the battlefield, take inventory, and even aim accordingly in the direction of the oncoming enemy. Oh, and this “spy vehicle” wasn’t concealed at all.
You’re listening to The Story Behind: The Extraordinary History of the Ordinary. I’m your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind Balloons.
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Music for MakersSources:
Balloon - Etymonline.com This Party’s Blowin’ Up - Slate Frequently Asked Questions - The Balloon Council The Physics Of The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons - Wired Early Balloons Were Made From Animal Intestines - Mental Floss History of Toy Balloon - Who Invented the Rubber Balloon? - History of Balloons Why We Are Running Out of Helium And What We Can Do About It - Forbes That Dire Helium Shortage? Vastly Inflated - Wired We Discovered Helium 150 Years Ago. Are We Running Out? - National Geographic It's The Dixville Notch Chamber Pot Mystery: Who'll Be First To Vote In First Primary This Year? - Hartford Courant Explainer: Why Dixville Notch Votes at Midnight - WNYC Neil Tillotson, 102, First Presidential Voter - The New York Times Why Does Helium Change the Sound of Your Voice? - WonderopolisCotton Swabs
Sunglasses
Glitter
Mouthwash
Son of a Gun - Operation Switcharoo
Muses
Conversation Hearts
The Trampoline
Groundhog Day
Pantyhose
Bottled Water
Toilet Paper
Re-Release of The Story Behind Christmas Traditions (Part 1)
Christmas Traditions (Part 2)
Tipping
Cranberry Sauce | From Controversy to Canned Creation (TSB132)
Sick Sayings | Bless You, Frog In Your Throat, Sick as a Dog (TSB131)
Boston Baked Beans | Traditional New England Fare (TSB130)
'Africa' by Toto | Two-Year Anniversary Episode (TSB129)
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