Synopsis

Few endeavors better embody humanity’s ambition to control technology than the space shuttle program. Yet, the devastating losses of the Challenger and Columbia have exposed tragic flaws within it. Drawing on James Chiles's book *Inviting Disaster*, we examine the 1930 crash of the R-101 airship—a vessel, like Challenger, prematurely pressed into service and destined for catastrophe—and the Hindenburg, whose fiery explosion in 1937 extinguished hopes of commercial air travel for an entire indust