On todays episode of Modern Notion Daily, our guest is Brian Murphy, author of 81 Days Below Zero: The Incredible Survival Story of a World War II Pilot in Alaskas Frozen Wilderness (Da Capo Press, June 2015). Leon Crane was a test pilot in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, stationed at Ladd Field outside of Fairbanks, Alaska. On a cold winter morning, Crane went up on a B-24 heavy bomber airplane to do a prop feathering test. But in Alaska, no flight is routine: the plane started in a downward spiral many thousands of feet in the air. Crane managed to eject himself, but his journey to safety was far from over. Later in the hour, contributing editor Erin Blakemore brings us the origin story of the humble TV dinner.

Music this hour:

“Soldiertype (militarised)” by Ketsa, from the album What’s Without’s Within

“Theme M” by Steve Combs andamp; Delta Is, from the album Themes (Vol. 1)

“Theme E” by Steve Combs andamp; Delta Is, from the album Themes (Vol. 1)