Episode 097—Balloon Poppin’ Daddies

We’re starting this season off with a bang…or at least Natalie is, as she traumatizes Cass with a harrowing tale from Chicago history: The Wingfoot Air Express Disaster before Cass shares the fashion and racism behind the Zoot Suit Riots.

Wingfoot Express Leaving Grant Park
Inside bank after crash
Diagram of crash
Composite illustration of wingfoot explosion
City of Scoundrels by Gary Krist (Nat's book rec)⁠
Pachuco Style⁠
Zoot Suits⁠
Service members acting as a self-appointed zoot suit patrol⁠
Men arrested for rioting in LA county (aka being attacked for wearing zoot suits)⁠
Defendants in the Sleepy Lagoon murder case upon acquittal

SOURCES:
Pomrenke, Jacob. “ July 21, 1919: Horrified White Sox Fans Witness Wingfoot Express Blimp Disaster in Chicago.” Society for American Baseball Research, 17 Apr. 2020, sabr.org/gamesproj/game/july-21-1919-horrified-white-sox-fans-witness-wingfoot-express-blimp-disaster-in-chicago/.

“Wingfoot Air Express Crash.” Wikipedia, 21 Apr. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wingfoot_Air_Express_crash.

“Wingfoot Express Airship Disaster.” Obscure Histories, www.obscurehistories.com/wingfoot-express-airship-disaster. Accessed 12 May 2023.

“Wingfoot Express.” Chicagology, chicagology.com/notorious-chicago/wingfootexpress/. Accessed 12 May 2023.

CREDITS: Original Theme: Garreth Spinn
Original Art: Sarah Cruz
Animations: The Banditry Co.

SPONSORS: This season of Shared History is sponsored by The Banditry Co.