If Mosquito Hawks Can Fly
Summary
This episode of *Family Lore*, hosted by Lloyd Lockridge, investigates the story of Charles Frederick Page, an enslaved-born Louisiana man who patented an airship design before the Wright Brothers. Historian Michael Wynn and inventor James Howard help uncover evidence that Page’s full-scale airship was likely stolen or suppressed due to racial prejudice before its 1904 World’s Fair debut. The narrative highlights how systemic barriers prevented Page from commercial success, while modern efforts aim to honor his legacy through a planned museum exhibit and a functional replica of his invention.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and intro
Family lore and the Wright Brothers myth
Joseph Page's childhood and family history
Charles Page's airship invention and disappearance
Michael Wynn's discovery of local history
The 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition context
The airship race and Santos Dumont
Investigating the lost patent and letters
Sponsors and ads
James L. Williams and the Black Inventors Hall of Fame
Uncovering the swindler who took Page's deposit
Building a replica of Page's airship
Conclusion and credits
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