The phrase “when pigs fly” dates all the way back to the 1600s. It’s a sarcastic remark used to say something is impossible. For example, if someone had a goal that seems they could never reach, a person might comment that they’ll accomplish it “when pigs fly” – Meaning they won’t.
But countless achievements throughout humanity have flown in the face of impossibility to become an inspiration for future generations. There was one such pig whose achievement now stands as an inspiration for both human and piggy dreamers.
After 300 years of pessimists trying to shoot down dreams by saying “when pigs fly”, a young pig in England became the first pig to take flight, when only a handful of humans had done the same.
It was May 2, 1909, and 24-year-old aviation pioneer (inhale) John Theodore Cuthbert Moore-Brabazon (exhale) became the first English person to officially fly in an aeroplane. After a couple more historic flights, he decided to bring along a porcine copilot.
On November 4, 1909, Brabazon strapped his tiny copilot into a waste basket next to him. This became the first time a pig flew, as well as the first live cargo flight. And while his copilot’s name is lost to history, his brave smile and steely gaze remain an inspiration to any person or pet who dares to dream big!
For another pig who bravely rose above expectations, you need to know the story of Lulu the pig, who “played dead” to save their owner’s life.