inflating lz 127 graf zeppelin in hangar

The Henry Cord Meyer LTA Collection contains Professor Meyer’s research on the political, military, and commercial development of airships in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Studying social and economic issues in addition to the political and military implications of airships, he compared the operations of the Schütte-Lanz and Luftschiffbau Zeppelin (LBZ; Zeppelin Airship Construction Company) companies at Friedrichshafen, Germany, the British Air Ministry at Cardington, England, and the Goodyear Zeppelin Corporation at Akron, Ohio. Among the airships researched are the LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin, LZ 129 Hindenburg, and LZ 130 Graf Zeppelin II; the British dirigibles R-100 and R-101; and the U.S. Navy's airships USS Shenandoah (ZR-1), USS Los Angeles (ZRS-3), USS Akron (ZRS-4), and USS Macon (ZRS-5).

The LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin was a German passenger airship that was built in the late 1920s. It was the first of its kind to be built and was used for transatlantic flights and other long-distance journeys. The airship was named after Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, the German pioneer of airship technology, and was often referred to simply as the "Zeppelin." It was in service from 1928 to 1937 and made over 500 flights, carrying thousands of passengers across the globe. It was eventually retired due to the increasing popularity of airplanes and the onset of World War II. Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH best known for its leading role in the design and manufacture of rigid airships, commonly referred to as Zeppelins, was founded by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin in 1908. Luftschiffbau Zeppelin became the leading manufacturer of large lighter-than-air vehicles. During the First World War, Zeppelins were employed as the first long-distance strategic bombers. After World War One all remaining zeppelins were claimed by the Allies as war reparations. Following Count von Zeppelin's death in 1917, control of Luftschiffbau Zeppelin fell to Dr. Hugo Eckener, an enthusiastic proponent of the civil value of airships who led the construction of the largest rigid airships in history, including the LZ 129 Hindenburg. The LZ Group's capital contribution came primarily from its two airships LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin and LZ 129 Hindenburg. A transatlantic airline Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei (German Zeppelin Transport Company) was incorporated on 22 March 1935 as a joint venture between Zeppelin Luftschiffbau, the Ministry of Aviation, and Deutsche Luft Hansa. In the mid-1930s it operated commercial passenger zeppelin flights including regular transatlantic service to South and North America. Hugo Eckener intended to run against Hitler in the 1932 presidential election and after the Nazis won, Reich Minister of Aviation Hermann Göring created a special agency to extend Party control over LZ Group. On 6 May 1937, the LZ 129 Hindenburg caught fire and exploded while mooring in Lakehurst, New Jersey, killing 35 people as well as Ernst Lehmann, the Company director. Hindenburg was covered by insurance of 6 million RM, which was paid in full, but the loss of future passenger revenue was not. Public confidence in Zeppelin travel had also been shattered and the LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin was immediately grounded on its return flight from Brazil on 8 May 1937. The last pre-war german airship LZ 130 Graf Zeppelin II was launched in September 1938. Over the next 11 months, Graf Zeppelin II made 30 test, promotional, and propaganda tours around Europe. With the advent of World War II, it flew for the last time on 20 August 1939 and never entered the transatlantic passenger service for which it was built. All airships were scrapped in 1940 to produce combat aircraft. On 6 May 1940, a Wehrmacht demolition team destroyed the hangar complexes at Frankfurt Airport. During the Second World War, the company facilities were hit by Allied bombing raids.

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