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The 1920s were the heyday for clandestine travelers, otherwise known as Stowaways.

It was one of the new crazy fads of the era.

Sure, people had been hiding away to secure a free trip as far back as anyone can remember,

but the roaring 20s were all about being bold.

It was a time when people were heading off to strange new lands, and some were inspired to tag along for free. The era was defined by crazy stunts, as the beginning of the so-called 15 minutes of

fame became a popular pursuit. Many of the stowaway stunts of the time

were doing just that. With the evolution of mass media during the 20s, dramatic articles

celebrating these achievements inspired more and more to try it. Whether for thrills and adventure,

or the need to get from point A to point B, the fad hit a peak

in 1928. That year, over 500 stowaways were caught at Ellis Island, trying to hop a ship

or perhaps capture some of the limelight for themselves. However, in a crowd that size,

if you want to stand out, you need to do something different.

19-year-old Clarence Turhune did just that when he became the first airborne stowaway.

The Graf Zeppelin airship had just made its first flight across the Atlantic.

It left Germany on October 11, 1928, and touched down in New Jersey four days later.

It's a beautiful morning down here, and it's the day of the greatest aerial adventure in history.

Crowds are gathering here at Lakehurst, New York, to take a last-minute glimpse of the beautiful Graf Zeppelin.

And they're here to watch the departure of her...

At the time, Terhune was working as a golf caddy

at a country club in Rye, New York.

...