Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • Silicone
    • Online Exclusive
    • Latex
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Opinion
    • Rubber Division IEC
    • ITEC
    • Blogs
    • Sustainability
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
  • War in Ukraine
  • Custom
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
  • Resources
    • Directory
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
  • Data
  • Events
    • RN Events
    • RN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • Rubber News M&A Live
    • 2022 Hose & Belt Manufacturers Conference
    • 2022 International Silicone Conference
    • 2022 International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
April 18, 2014 02:00 AM

Column: A look at blimps through the years

Edward Noga
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    RPN photo by Jennifer Karpus
    The new Goodyear blimp.

    I was researching blimp disasters and came across an interesting one of which I'd never heard. You might be wondering what is wrong with me to be studying blimp disasters. It happened in the usual manner: reading about Goodyear's newest blimp, I opened another tab to review the difference between a dirigible and a blimp (answer: rigid frame, a dirigible; non-rigid, a blimp). The next thing you know, I've been clicking on links for 45 minutes—the domino effect of using the web.

    There have been plenty of disasters involving such airships, most in the earlier days. The Hindenberg, of course, is the most noted event, largely because of the amazing radio coverage—”Oh, the humanity”—and the graphic newsreel film. The vast majority of airship accidents occurred between 1910 and 1947, with many happening during World War II.

    My tenure as a blimp watcher began when I moved to Akron in 1979 and learned that distinctive sound was a blimp sneaking up on me. There have been few blimp accidents since then, since the airships, navigation and weather forecasting are far advanced from the early days.

    I knew about the tragedies of the Akron in 1933 (73 died when it crashed at sea off New Jersey) and its sister ship the Macon (two dead when it went down in the Pacific off Monterey, Calif.). The demise of the Wingfoot Air Express over Chicago on July 1, 1919, was new to me.

    The Wingfoot Air Express was flying from White City Amusement Park—where the famous Chicago's World's Fair had occurred—over the Loop. Blimps were a new attraction, and cars pulled off the roads, people came out of buildings, fans and ballplayers at Comiskey Park looked up to the sky to see the 158-ft. long, 34-ft. wide behemoth sail by.

    They all had first-class seats to the tragedy. Flying at 1,200 feet, the airship—held aloft by 10,000 cubic feet of highly flammable hydrogen—began to burn. The pilot, two mechanics, a passenger and photographer all donned parachutes and bailed out, and all their chutes caught fire. The pilot, who landed on top of a building, and a mechanic survived. They are presumed to be the first people to save their lives by jumping from an aircraft while wearing a parachute.

    The flaming blimp crashed on the skylight of the Illinois Trust and Savings Bank, causing 10 more deaths.

    Ninety-five years later, blimps are much safer. For one thing, they are filled with helium, which doesn't burn. Goodyear's newest blimp is billed as being larger, faster and more maneuverable than its predecessors. It's huge—256 feet long—and has a semi-rigid internal structure, a departure from other Goodyear blimps.

    Goodyear held a naming contest, with lots of nice prizes for the winner and runners-up. My guess is Wingfoot Express II won't be the selected.

    Noga is a contributing editor to RPN and its former editor. He can be reached at [email protected]

    Related Articles
    Exiting on a high note: "Spirit of Goodyear' retires; new, advanced airship wai…
    Goodyear unveils blimp, kicks off naming contest
    Video: A talk with pilot of new Goodyear blimp
    Video: A look at changes to the new Goodyear blimp
    Video: Details about Name the Blimp contest
    Video: A look at the truck that transports new blimp
    Goodyear names 10 finalists for new blimp name
    A role model for the obsessive
    A ripple effect on NR prices
    An unusual rubber tale
    Hey Goodyear, build it in Akron
    Goodyear names new blimp Wingfoot One
    In need of mentors
    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Michelin worker dies at Nova Scotia tire plant
    2
    Triangle Tire scraps plans for North Carolina tire plant
    3
    Mitsubishi Chemical closes compounding plant in Michigan
    4
    Morgan Polymer Seals adds MAGIC to gasket manufacturing
    5
    Shell Polymers' PE facility in Pa. nearly complete
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • Silicone
      • Online Exclusive
      • Latex
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • Opinion
      • Rubber Division IEC
      • ITEC
      • Blogs
        • Products
        • Wacky World of Rubber
      • Sustainability
    • War in Ukraine
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Resources
      • Directory
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Data
    • Events
      • RN Events
        • 2022 Hose & Belt Manufacturers Conference
        • 2022 International Silicone Conference
        • 2022 International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
      • RN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • Rubber News M&A Live
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION