#28: The Inventive Genius and Salesmanship Missteps of Thaddeus Lowe
Thaddeus Lowe’s invention, the Intrepid balloon filled with Hydrogen, was a novelty in the American Civil War. Aimed for military reconnaissance, his daring plot to showcase it by landing on the White House lawn sadly lacked prior testing.

Unexpectedly blown into Confederate territory, Lowe was imprisoned but escaped death, showcasing his resilience. Despite his earlier setback, he eventually presented Intrepid’s value to the Union Army, proving his invention’s merit, albeit through a precarious journey.