Look up, wayyyyy up…and you just might see the iconic Goodyear blimp.
This year, the airship celebrated its 100th anniversary and it has no plans to stop flying over major events. The first blimp was named “Pilgrim,” and it took flight on June 3rd, 1925 near Akron, Ohio. As a nod to its hometown, pilots flew the ship over the city to the delight of visitors from everywhere. In the early years, Goodyear created its own aeronautics department to see if they could build lighter than air airships and by 1912 they had their own balloon manufactured. In 1917 the company was making airships for the US Navy and by 1925 the company had their own airship, becoming a groundbreaking advertising promotion.
Today, there are four Goodyear blimps – three in North America and one in Germany. Each blimp is 18 meters high, 75 meters long, and holds enough helium to fill three Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Over the years the blimp has flown over 2,500 events and has welcomed half a million visitors into its cabin. 10 pilots command the ships and they fly anywhere between one thousand feet and 1,500 feet up. Each blimp mission has approximately 20 workers accompanying the ship to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Are the blimps slow? Surprisingly no. Each blimp can travel up to 117km/h.
Happy 100th birthday to Goodyear Blimp.
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