While taking a look at the pros, cons, and possible long-term consequences of news and information censorship during times of war, Liam Callanan presents this fascinating historical tidbit:
Improbable though it may sound, from late 1944 through the spring of 1945, the Japanese launched more than 9,000 balloons from their nation’s eastern shores. Filled not with mild-mannered hot air but extremely flammable hydrogen and armed with incendiary and antipersonnel bombs, the balloons rode the jet stream across the Pacific Ocean for several days before landing throughout North America.
No, really. Throughout North America. From Alaska to Mexico and as far east as suburban Detroit. Perhaps even more incredible, the balloons themselves were not made of any high-tech, weather-hardened fabric but simple paper panels held together with potato glue.
The entire article is worth reading, both for the historical information and the look at the potential ramifications news censorship can bring about.
(via Danelope)
iTunes: “Macho Man” by Transmutator from the album Saturday Night Fetish (1997, 5:00).