An extraordinary ballooning story that demonstrates the truly amazing power of hot air.
On April 13, 1844, the New York Sun announced the first transatlantic balloon flight. Seems a Mr. Monck Mason, and his crew in Wales, tried to cross the English Channel, got caught in a strong wind, and landed in South Carolina. The story described the pioneering balloon in great detail, including a discussion of the use of ballast and even data on the amount of gas used.
THE SUN WAS HOT
When the balloon story appeared, a now very famous Gothic author (yes, Poe) was anxious to buy a copy of the Sun, but he couldn't even get near the building where the paper was published because the crowds were so thick. People paid outrageous prices for copy of the paper, and crooked newsboys made huge profits. Edgar Allan Poe couldn't get his hands on a single copy.
THE BALLOON BURSTS
On April 15, the Sun had to admit that the story was all hot air. Their mail came in without a single mention of the landing of a balloon. In fact, there would be no successful such balloon flight until 1919. Interesting: the Sun got a lot of details right. Mr. Monck Mason crossed the English Channel in 1837 using a balloon like the one described in the story. More interesting: when someone did cross the Atlantic in 1919, it took exactly 75 hours--exactly what they had described.
WHODUNNIT?
The author of the hoax knew newspapers like the Sun wanted to be the first with a story. There was no telegraph, so they couldn't confirm facts. The author was also someone who knew a lot about science and knew how to tell a convincing tale. The author was none other than Edgar Allan Poe.
WHY-DUNNIT?
Poe's total wealth announced to less than $5 at the time (roughly $200 in today's money). Poe loved literary pranks (despite his infamous gloom) and he also had a sick wife and her mother to support after they just moved to New York. It wasn't his last joke like this.
So, yes, the guy famous for writing about premature burials and noblemen walled up alive really loved a good laugh. The original best author of fake news; indeed.
Bonus:
It was Samuel Prescott, not Paul Revere, who finished the midnight ride.
Source: BR Hysterical Institute
