The Goodyear Blimp is still around, still hovering over major sporting events to provide an aerial view, long after other airships and zeppelins have gone the way of the dodo. The blimp debuted in 1925, and although the official date is in the summer, Goodyear is taking the blimp on a year-long tour in celebration of the milestone, and even giving people a chance to ride in it.
But this is no 100-year-old dirigible. Goodyear has gone through a series of blimps and has four official Goodyear Blimps in service now. But at some time, you may have wondered how a tire company came to be known for its blimp. See, Goodyear is a rubber company, and in 1910 it began manufacturing rubber-coated fabric for aircraft, including airships. During World War I, the company started making blimps for the US Navy. In 1925, they built one for themselves and soon realized its promotional value. In honor of the Goodyear Blimp's 100th anniversary tour, Smithsonian tells us its history, and the history of airships in general.
(Image credit: Erik Drost)
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