Podcast Summary
Capital One Venture X Card benefits and Easter savings at CVS: The Capital One Venture X Card provides 2X miles on all purchases and premium travel perks, while CVS offers a 20% discount on pickup orders with the 'spring20' code for Easter savings
The Capital One Venture X Card offers cardholders unlimited 2X miles on all purchases and premium travel benefits, including airport lounge access and a $300 annual travel credit. Meanwhile, Easter is coming up, and CVS is offering a 20% discount on pickup orders using the promo code "spring20." In other news, Jules Verne's "Around the World in 80 Days" was not originally intended to be a hot air balloon journey, but the movie adaptation popularized that idea. Hot air ballooning is an experience some people enjoy, but it's not on Josh's bucket list. Instead, he finds joy in looking at pictures of hot air balloons. The Capital One Venture X Card can help fund those armchair adventures and more, while Easter savings at CVS can help make the holiday season extra special.
First hot air balloon flight with animals: The Montgolfier brothers launched the first hot air balloon flight with a sheep, duck, and rooster to test if living beings could survive in the air, marking a milestone in human aviation history.
The Montgolfier brothers, in the late 1700s, made history by successfully launching the first hot air balloon flight, which proved that living beings could breathe in the atmosphere. They conducted this experiment with a sheep, a duck, and a rooster, each chosen for specific reasons. The sheep, as a mammal similar to humans, was used to test if living beings could survive in the air. The duck and rooster, both capable of flying at different altitudes, served as controls. This groundbreaking event took place in France and marked a significant milestone in human aviation history. Despite the confusion at the beginning of our discussion, we were able to agree on this fascinating piece of history.
Montgolfier Brothers' Early Ballooning Attempts: The Montgolfier brothers pioneered manned hot air balloon flights using light wood, cotton, and silk, but initially believed smoke was the source of lift. They chose a major and a physics professor for their first manned flight, but later attempts resulted in the death of the physics professor.
The history of hot air ballooning began with the Montgolfier brothers, who initially believed that smoke was the source of lift. They used various materials to fuel their rigid frame balloons, which were made of light wood and cotton or silk. The Montgolfiers were celebrated by King Louis XVI, and two months later, they attempted human flights, initially considering using convicted criminals as pilots. However, they eventually chose a major in the infantry and a physics professor for the first manned flight. Unfortunately, the physics professor, Pilatre de Rosier, later died during an attempt to fly across the English Channel with a hydrogen balloon inside a hot air balloon. The Montgolfiers are often credited as the first to fly manned and powered flights, although there may have been earlier attempts in ancient China. Balloons fell out of fashion due to the popularity of dirigibles, but smoke balloons were used in circuses for entertainment in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
From daring acts to civilian use: The evolution of hot air balloons: Hot air balloons went from being used for daring acts in the late 1800s to being abandoned, then revived for civilian use in the 1950s, and now offer unique experiences through modern platforms like Zigazoo.
Hot air balloons have an interesting history. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they were popular for daring acts like trapeze work under smoke-filled balloons. However, they were eventually abandoned in favor of dirige balloons. It wasn't until the 1950s that hot air balloons experienced a revival, this time for civilian use. Ed Yoast, founder of Raven Industries, designed the light bulb shape that is now iconic of hot air balloons. Fast forward to today, and we have platforms like Zigazoo, which provide a safe space for kids to share videos and connect with each other. Despite initial reservations, I've come to appreciate Zigazoo's focus on data safety for kids. Hot air balloons and Zigazoo may seem unrelated, but they both offer unique experiences that have stood the test of time.
Renting out homes on Airbnb or flying hot air balloons: Making the most of resources: Airbnb offers a simple way to earn extra income by renting out homes or spare rooms. Hot air balloons use heated air and nylon envelopes to lift substantial weights, making for unique experiences or income opportunities.
People can make extra money by renting out their homes or spare rooms on Airbnb. The process is simple and can provide significant income, whether it's to cover bills or for personal enjoyment. The science behind hot air balloons may seem complex, but essentially, hot air is lighter than cool air and lifting a large volume of heated air can lift a substantial weight. Hot air balloons have large envelopes made of nylon triangles called gores, which are made up of smaller panels. Nylon is used because it's light and not flammable. The fuel for hot air balloons is compressed liquid propane, which takes up less space and is more efficient when burned. Overall, whether it's renting out a home or soaring in a hot air balloon, there are opportunities to make the most of resources and turn them into valuable experiences or income.
Efficient Burning with Hot Air Balloons: Turning Liquid Propane to Gas Propane: Hot air balloons convert liquid propane to gas propane for efficient burns, utilizing wicker baskets to absorb landing impacts and maintain weight, reaching altitude limits due to thinning air.
Hot air balloons convert liquid propane to gas propane at the burner for a more efficient burn. The burners are connected to propane canisters and have a coil that heats the propane, turning it into gas propane. This process creates hot air, which lifts the balloon. The skirt, traditionally made of wicker, absorbs landing impact and distributes it across the basket. Balloons have an upper altitude limit due to thinning air, making it impossible to lift further. The wicker basket plays a crucial role in absorbing impact and maintaining the balloon's weight. Despite its seemingly outdated design, it effectively serves its purpose.
Gravity is strongest at sea level due to high air pressure and density: Gravity acts strongest at sea level due to high air pressure and density, allowing buoyancy to lift objects, like hot air in balloons or a cork in water.
Gravity acts strongest at sea level due to the high concentration of air molecules, which results in greater air pressure and density. Warmer air, being less dense, floats above cooler air, as demonstrated by hot air balloons. This principle, known as buoyancy, applies to both air and water. If captured, warm air can lift an object, just as a cork floats in water. Zigazoo is a safe social media platform for kids, allowing them to share content and engage with friends without the risks associated with traditional social media. Meanwhile, hosting on Airbnb can provide additional income by renting out spare rooms or entire homes during events or travel seasons.
Navigating horizontally using wind patterns: Hot air balloon pilots control direction by adjusting altitude and quickly responding to wind patterns to avoid accidents.
While hot air ballooning may seem simple with just the ability to go up and down, the skill and experience required to navigate horizontally based on wind patterns is a crucial aspect of the job. Hot air balloon pilots control their direction by adjusting altitude, rising to areas where winds blow in the desired direction. The response time for the balloon is around thirty seconds, so quick decision-making and anticipation are essential. Despite the apparent simplicity, accidents like collisions with power lines are common and highlight the importance of a pilot's expertise.
Hot air ballooning: careful planning and teamwork: Hot air ballooning requires careful planning, ideal weather, and a ground team's assistance for safe landings. Pilots check conditions before takeoff and constantly scan for emergency sites during flight.
Hot air ballooning involves careful planning and ideal weather conditions, but even with these factors, unexpected landings can occur. The ground team plays a crucial role in following and guiding the balloonist to a safe landing location. Before takeoff, pilots check weather conditions and send up pilot balloons to determine the balloon's direction. During the flight, they constantly scan for emergency landing sites. The ground crew not only follows the balloon but also helps set it up and provides a ride back home after the landing. Hot air balloons are portable and come in a large stuff sack, requiring around 10-15 minutes to inflate with a fan and hot air. Safety is a top priority, with pilots avoiding thunderstorms and high winds aloft.
A peaceful tradition with a champagne toast: Hot air ballooning offers a serene experience with a champagne toast upon landing, but comes with safety concerns and a hefty price tag.
Hot air ballooning is a serene and traditional experience involving a champagne toast upon landing, which originated from farmers offering champagne to pilots to ease their fears about landing on their land. The experience is described as peaceful and floating through the air, despite some safety concerns and occasional accidents. Hot air ballooning requires experienced pilots to ensure smooth landings and can be relatively expensive, starting at around $22,000 for a two-person balloon. Despite some risks, the tradition and unique experience continue to draw people to hot air ballooning.
Hot air balloons: A rich history of love triangles and military reconnaissance: Hot air balloons have a long history, from romantic rivalries to military use, making them a fascinating subject to explore
Hot air balloons have a rich history with various fascinating facts. For instance, there was a balloon duel in 1808 between two Frenchmen in a love triangle, resulting in one man's death. Hot air balloons have also been used for military reconnaissance since the 1700s, with the Union Army in the US having a balloon corps during the Civil War. Additionally, being left-handed can be an advantage in sports, as tennis player Raphael Nadal, who was born right-handed but trained to play left-handed, demonstrates. The podcast "Stuff You Should Know" covers these topics and many more. If you're intrigued by hot air balloons or want to learn something new, give it a listen.
A kid-friendly social media platform with safety measures: Zigazoo allows kids to create, share videos safely and enjoy activities like dance challenges with built-in privacy protections
Zigazoo is a social media platform designed specifically for kids where they can create and share videos in a safe and moderated environment. The platform, which features dance challenges among other activities, prioritizes content safety with built-in privacy protections. Antonio Blyde, the interviewer, shares a fond memory with guest Alison Brie about their second place finish in a seventh grade lip sync contest. The conversation also touches upon the slow tempo of the song they performed. The overall discussion emphasizes the importance of a kid-friendly social media experience with robust safety measures.
