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 On this day in engineering history, the LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin left Lakehurst, New Jersey
to begin or resume (depending on your perspective) its round-the-world flight. Named
after Germany's
Ferdinand von Zeppelin, founder of the Zeppelin Airship Company, the 776-ft.
long dirigible was powered by 5 Maybach 550-hp engines that ran on Blau gas
(Blue gas), a propane-like fuel that was liquefied for transportation and re-pressurized
for use. During a trial flight in October of 1928, the "silver giant" had
become the first aircraft to use a gas as fuel. "Our passengers", proudly reported commander
Dr. Hugo Eckener, "did not even know that we had been running on gas until I
told them."
With a total volume of 3,708,040 square ft., the Graf Zeppelin was a long, cylindrical dirigible
with an internal framework that contained compartments or cells filled with lighter-than-air
hydrogen gas. Because Germany's rigid airship was designed for trans-Atlantic service,
speed and comfort were important considerations. Much faster than a steamship,
the Graf Zeppelin could fly at 70 mph
under favorable wind and weather conditions. Passengers traveling in a 98 ft.-long
by 20 ft.-wide gondola enjoyed small but comfortable staterooms, a separate dining hall,
and meals prepared in an electric galley. White china, expensive silverware,
and linen tablecloths were all part of the flying experience.
On August 1, 1929, the Graf Zeppelin left Friedrichshafen, Germany for the Lakeland Naval Air Station (NAS). William Randolph Hearst, a wealthy newspaper publisher whose periodicals were filled with sensational stories, had paid $100,000 (USD) to finance the round-the world trip, on the condition that the Statue of Liberty serve as the official point-of-origin. Consequently, although some historians date the start of the voyage as August 1, 1929, others use a date of August 8, 1929.
Whether from Friedrichshafen to Friedrichshafen or from Lakehurst to Lakehurst, the Graf Zeppelin flew around the world in 12 days, 11 hours. This feat went unchallenged until March 1957, when a helium-filled airship named "Whitey the Snowbird" made the longest and farthest
non-refueled, continuous voyage since the Graf Zeppelin. Sadly, airships such as the USS Akron (ZRS-4) were not so lucky.
Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LZ_127_Graf_Zeppelin
http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventors/zeppelin.htm
http://www.generalaviationnews.com/editorial/articledetail.lasso?-token.key=11408&-token.src=column&-nothing
http://www.wingnet.org/rtw/rtw001j.htm
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,731990,00.html?iid=chix-sphere
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