The Hindenburg Catastrophe Group 5 Jon Neuendorf Sean Monahan Brandon Charbonneau Nicholas Orlando

Purpose Due to the continuing fascination with the Hindenburg disaster, this report investigates how the Hindenburg disaster influenced the aeronautical transportation industry today.

Topics Investigated History Theories behind the disaster Past, present, and future zeppelins Today's airships and airplanes

Hindenburg – Boeing Titanic

Brief Background The Germans created the Hindenburg during World War II to signify their air dominance to the world. However, the Hindenburg had a disaster of epic proportions when it mysteriously caught aflame and was incinerated

History Pre-Hindenburg Hydrogen Lifting Power Smaller shed to build in British Airship R-101

History Original Design 761 Feet Long 5,307,000 cubic feet of hydrogen New Design 7,000,000 cubic feet of Helium

History Hindenburg Overall Design 15 rings 36 girders

History Hindenburg Overall Design Triangular keel Cruciform Tail

History Nazi Connection Money Symbolism  Max Schmeling  Nuremburg  1936 Olympic Games  Pamphlets

History Early Troubles U.S. Embargo Finance Nazi expectations

History Transatlantic Flight 50 Passengers – Extra Cabins 2.5 day crossing  Half the speed of any boats of the day

Theories Hydrogen Explosion Coated with Thermite Static Spark Sabotage Our Idea

Hydrogen Explosion Sharp turn caused puncture Puncture caused hole in hydrogen tank Hydrogen extremely flammable Fire burned red not clear

Thermite Thermite is 1 part aluminum and 3 part iron oxide Hindenburg was coated with 5 parts aluminum and 1 part iron oxide Thermite was to heavy to use Myth Busters did experiment Theory proven wrong

Static Spark Static discharge built up Outer hull caught fire Frame caught fire Hydrogen caught fire Chain reaction

Sabotage Most unlikely Many still believe it Sabotage done by Joseph Spehl and Eric Spehl Had anti Nazi up bringing

What We Think Static Spark Theory Engineering Perspective Caused by hydrogen, extremely flammable Makes sense from data

Zeppelins Past, Present, and Future

The Past Zeppelins Rigid Engines troubles Second Zeppelin crashed in a storm Hindenburg burst into flame Were created mostly by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin and Hugo Eckener. Ferdinand died in 1917, before the Hindenburg and Eckener took over Eckener died shortly after the World Wars

Airships of the Past

Present The latest model of Zeppelins Advanced New body styles New engines Smaller designs No more hydrogen gas used to lift the Zeppelins Zeppelin tourism vs Zeppelin marketing Past Present

The Zeppelin NT

Future Zeppelins are going to be very useful for many things in the near and far future. Afghanistan testing Unmanned Long Endurance Multi-INT Vehicle Specialties Zeppelins also are going to be financially used Marketing Short rides

Airships vs. Airplanes

Transportation SkyCat-220 cruises at 92mph Range of 3,225 nautical miles Transports up to 220 tons in STOL mode Transports up to 160 tons in VTOL mode Solar panels

SkyFreight

Advertising The Goodyear Blimp Airplane altitude restrictions Read times of clients Airships can stay in position Most people notice an airship advertisement Consumers enjoy blimp advertising

SkyScreen

Research and Exploration Planes need good landing conditions The SkyCat can land within it’s own length Capable of landing on unfriendly terrain 10 tons of equipment can be used Tolerant of physical damage

Conclusions & Recommendations Conclusion Today’s airships are highly effective due to the extensive research to find and fix all the flaws to avoid future tragedies like the Hindenburg Recommendation Use the most efficient technology to ensure safety of all passengers to increase travel by air.

Conclusion The Hindenburg’s destruction decreased the use of air transportation in the time period. Recommendation Zeppelins and airships of any type should be built to a smaller scale which could help maintain safety for all passengers.

Conclusion This disaster directly influenced the creation of today’s airships and their structures. Recommendation All disasters need to be completely assessed and any potential problems be reported to ensure safety of all airships of the type.

Conclusion Knowledge of the history of the Hindenburg and its technological developments helps us to understand the death of the industry caused by the destruction of the airship. Recommendation Investigating the history may lead to increased knowledge of the legacy of the Hindenburg.

References Aston A, The return of airships… again. January 2007, Retrieved Sept 7 th from /01/the_return_of_a.html McNamee, G. (2009, Aug 8). Zeppelins, Past and Present. Retrieved Aug 27, 2009, from Brittanica.com: /balloon-accidents-and-the-weather/ Wutz H, Early zeppelin litho postcard flying over Germany. N.p.d.. Retrieved Spet 7 th from Grossman D, Airships: A Hindenburg and zeppelin history site, Last updated Sept 7 th Retrieved September 7 th, 2009, from Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH, First flight of the Zeppelin NT #3 D-LZZF, Last updated November 7 th 2004, Retrieved Sept 7 th from Smith D, Dread Zeppelin, the Army’s new surveillance blimp, Posted June 8 th 2009, retrieved Sept 7 th from