Airships, also known as dirigible balloons, are lighter-than-air vehicles that stay airborne by running on a lifting gas that is less dense than the air around them. Rigid, semi-rigid, and non-rigid airships are the three primary varieties. Blimps are the usual term for non-rigid airships. Internal pressure is what keeps blimps in shape. In addition to relying on internal pressure to keep their shape, semi-rigid airships also have a metal keel at the bottom to support the structure.
The biggest flaw in the blimp was its inefficiency. There isn’t much room for freight or people because helium takes up much of its weight. Additionally, the speed at which it moves its contents is somewhat slow. The rigid zeppelins that the United States and Germany produced in the 1930s were capable of reaching high speeds of 87 mph, according to Guinness World Records. In contrast, by this point jets had already surpassed 200 mph. The Situation of Blimps Right Now There are now only roughly 25 blimps in use.
Which historical blimps are the most well-known?
Numerous how many blimps are there have been well-known throughout history as a result of their size, appearance, or the events they were a part of.
Below are a handful of the most noteworthy ones:
- The Hindenburg
- Perhaps the most well-known balloon in history is the Hindenburg.
- On May 6, 1937, this German airship, which was carrying highly flammable hydrogen gas, tragically burst near New Jersey.
- The incident brought an end to the era of passenger airship transport and claimed 36 lives.
Graf Zeppelin
Another well-known German airship was the Graf Zeppelin. When it was finished in September 1928, its size and design were well known.
The US Navy Ship Akron
A tragic end befell the USS Akron, an airship of the United States Navy. Of the 76 men on board, 73 died when it crashed on April 4, 1933, off the shore of New Jersey. The airship crash was the worst in recorded history.
The Blimps from Goodyear
The Goodyear Blimps are a fleet of non-rigid airships used for advertising that are operated by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.
- These are some of the few blimps that are still in use today.
- These are but a handful of the numerous blimps that have flown over our skies.
- Every single one has a distinct backstory and has added to the lengthy chronicle of flying.
The Drop in Blimps
When they first appeared in 1852, people heralded them as the future of transportation. However, throughout time, their use has significantly decreased.
- Inefficiency is the main cause of this deterioration.
- A blimp’s bulk is mostly reserved by helium, leaving little room for people and goods.
- Additionally, they move their contents somewhat slowly.
Safety Issues
Another issue that contributed to the blimp’s demise was safety. Several airships were loaded with highly flammable hydrogen gas rather than helium at the beginning of the 20th century, making any mishap potentially catastrophic. This was seen to the world on May 6, 1937, when the Hindenburg crashed and detonated in New Jersey.
In summary
In summary, How many blimps are there have played a vital role in our history and still have a few uses now, although their population is declining.
