Sam Gwynne On Progress, War, And Zeppelins

Jun 24, 2023

Sam Gwynne, a celebrated writer and historian, dives into the fascinating world of zeppelins in his latest book. He explores the absurdities of airship engineering, the tragic saga of the R101, and the interplay of ambition and innovation during a tumultuous era. Gwynne draws parallels between Gatsby's dreams and the allure of air travel, while reflecting on the risks involved in aviation history, such as the Hindenburg disaster. The discussion also touches on the creative struggles of writing and the emotional journey of success in the literary world.

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INSIGHT

Triumph of Hope

Despite numerous crashes, airships persisted due to nationalism and pride.
They represented not just engineering, but also ideology, showcasing a human tendency to ignore evidence of bad ideas.

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INSIGHT

Irrationality and Progress

Progress often depends on irrational individuals who challenge conventional wisdom.
Pioneering industries attract those who ignore warnings, leading to both breakthroughs and blind alleys.

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ANECDOTE

R101 and Risk Tolerance

Lord Thompson's R101 airship, designed to connect the British Empire, crashed disastrously.
This highlighted a higher risk tolerance in the early 20th century compared to today.

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Ryan speaks with Sam Gwynne about his new book His Majesty’s Airship: The Life and Tragic Death of the World's Largest Flying Machine, the triumph of hope over experience, why progress is based in irrationality, the fascinating history of the zeppelin, and more.

Sam Gwynne is a writer, journalist, and historian. After earning a bachelor’s degree in history from Princeton University and a master’s degree in writing from Johns Hopkins University, Sam worked for Time magazine as a correspondent, bureau chief, and senior editor. His journalism has appeared in the New York Times, Harper's, Los Angeles Times, Outside Magazine, Dallas Morning News, California Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal. He has written seven non-fiction books, including the New York Times Bestsellers Empire of the Summer Moon and Rebel Yell, the former of which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in the General Nonfiction category. Sam’s work can be found on his website scgwynne.com and on Twitter @scgwynne.

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