HUGO ECKENER
(Dr. Hugo Eckener)
Eckner’s team had known that the hydrogen gas they used in all the Zeppelins of the day was very explosive. They also knew about helium which while non-flammable, was heavier and more expensive. They had developed procedures that they thought were safe for using the hydrogen, and with no problems with hydrogen they dreamed of having airships all over the world, replacing ocean liners for passenger travel. The fundamental science however was clear that any kind of spark or minor explosion could cause the entire airship to ignite. That is what happened with the Hindenburg in Lakehurst, New Jersey where 36 people died. Dr. Eckner, an anti-Nazi, wanted to partner with America to invest in the helium technology, but Hitler’s regime would not hear of it as it would make the United States the world headquarters and maintenance center for the world’s airships. That destroyed confidence in airships and the very promising technique died despite the fact that had they followed the scientists and used helium, airships would probably be in use today.
Hugo Eckener was the manager of the Luftschiffbau Zeppelin during the inter-war years, and also the commander of the famous Graf Zeppelin for most of its record-setting flights, including the first airship flight around the world, making him the most successful airship commander in history. He was also responsible for the construction of the most successful type of airships of all time. An anti-Nazi who was invited to campaign as a moderate in the German presidential elections, he was blacklisted by that regime and eventually sidelined.
