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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Media:

• Music for Makers

Sources:

• 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? - Wonderopolis