With the fourth installment of the Indiana Jones series set to release this Thursday, there has been much hype and anticipation surrounding the movie. Will it be good? Will it be bad? Well I don’t know, you’ll have to watch it and let me know. However, recently I heard that Indiana Jones could have been inspired by an actual person in history. Furthermore, his name was Hiram Bingham III. So I did a little research and found out that Hiram Bingham was the guy that discovered the Peruvian “Lost City” Machu Picchu.
Hiram Bingham discovered Machu Picchu in 1911 after the city had been entirely forgotten about for years. He authored a best-selling book, the Lost City of the Incas in 1948, chronicling his adventure. After his return to the United States, he attained the rank of Captain in the Connecticut National Guard. He eventually became an aviator and organized the United States Schools of Military Aeronautics, as well as commanded an aviator school in France. When he wasn’t exploring lost cities and flying planes, he was a professor at Harvard University and Yale University. He served as a preceptor at Princeton University under Woodrow Wilson. Bingham was heavily involved in politics and was the elected governor of Connecticut in 1924. His educational resume was most impressive as he received degrees from Harvard, Yale, and University of California (Berkeley).
While Bingham seems like the inspiration for the character Indiana Jones, both Spielberg and Lucas do not confirm that Indiana was inspired by anyone in particular. However, after learning about Hiram Bingham, I am convinced that this guy was the Indiana Jones of the early 20th century.
Image Used in this Post
Machu Picchu image courtesy of Flickr user Michael McDonough published under the CC license.
9 Comments
I don’t know if it will be good or bad. However, I have an ominous feeling in the pit of my stomach from the trailers. They make Indiana Jones look like a slapstick comedy, which makes my inner child feel sad.
And by the way, that guy must have one of the most badass jobs in the world.
Well Jake, Temple of Doom was a pretty campy movie.
More importantly, I wonder if this Bingham chap had trouble landing just like Henry “Indiana” Jones Jr. Remember that is another similarity … Indy’s name is Henry.
I heard from pre reviews that it is actually a good film “But will not please the die hard indy fans”. I have to say though…how many film ideas come from sitting down having a beer. It had to come from somewhere, and this bloke seems as close as you are going to get!
I wonder why they wouldnt admit it. Maybe they would have to pay him…
Apparently Lucas has said in the past that a major inspiration for Indiana Jones came from Sean Connery’s portrayal of James Bond. Hence, why they chose him to be Indiana’s father in Last Crusade.
Not sure how much I really buy that.
There are die hard Indy fans who already have their mind made up on this movie without seeing it. I am going to make my own mind up after I have experienced it with my own senses.
Reviews are cool for consumer electronics, but when it comes to video games, music, and especially movies by the gods of the film school generation…well you get the picture
Then again, I thought episode I and II were good movies while the majority of Star Wars fans cringe when you mention them.
As far as Indiana Jones being based on a real person like Hiram Bingham… well there are a lot of things Spielberg and Lucas wont confirm. Given what you have researched and presented, its very possible.
Great post. I actually was involved in radio show about this a week or so ago. The conversation’s right here: http://www.onpointradio.org/shows/2008/05/20080509_b_main.asp
The Bingham – Indy connections only get tighter: looks like the new one’s set in the Peruvian jungle!
Thanks for stopping by Chris. How’s your book coming along?
Wow Chris, congrats! Your book sounds like it will be great.