What is a zeppelin?

   The early dirigibles were non rigid; that is, they were long gas filled bags. A gondola and powered propeller were attached. When longitudinal framing, running the lenght of the bag, was used as reinforcement, the semi-rigid dirigible was created.
   The rigid dirigible, or zeppelin (zep-pe-lin), was first built by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin of Germany in 1899. This type, as contrasted with the non-rigid and semi-rigid, had a complete rigid framework covered with fabric. Inside the frame were several gas-filled balloons, and below the frame was a cabin for the crew. It was 155 feet long and 40 feet in diameter.
   During World War I, the Germans used zeppelins to drop bombs from the sky. After the war, other countries, including the United States, began to build zeppelin-type airships. In 1919, the British R-34 made the first trans-atlantic airship flight between England and the United States.
   In 1929, the Graf Zeppelin took about ten days (flying time), traveling almost 22,000 miles, to go completely around the Earth. Bigger and faster zeppelins were built, and they carried passengers, freight and mail to many sections of the world. The largest of these was the Hindenburg which was 830 feet long and 135 feet in diameter.