For nearly 70 years, Goodyear blimps
have plied the skies as very visible corporate symbols of
the tire and rubber company that began operations in
1898. Today, these
graceful giants log nearly 200,000 air miles per year
traveling across the United States as Goodyear's
"Aerial Ambassadors."
t
r a d i t i o n
The blimp
tradition began in 1925 when Goodyear built its first
helium-filled public relations airship, the Pilgrim.
Other ships followed, most named after winners of the
famed America's cup yacht race. Naming the airships after
America's Cup winners began with then Goodyear Chairman
Paul W Litchfield. A sailing enthusiast, he envisioned
blimps as giant sailing ships of the skies.

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From THE WEBSTER'S NEW WORLD CHILDREN'S DICTIONARY, Copyright 1991 by
Simon & Schuster Inc. Courtesy Macmillan Reference
USA, a Simon & Shuster Macmillan Company.
Over the years, Goodyear built more than 300 airships,
more than any other company in the world. Akron, Ohio,
the company's corporate headquarters, became the center
of blimp manufacturing. Even though Goodyear no longer
manufacturers airships, lighter-than-air aviation's
heritage is rooted there through the continued operations
of the company's fleet, which now includes three brightly
colored blimps.
Goodyear-built airships
also performed yeoman's service for the Army and Navy.
Although the Army withdrew from the airship program in
the 1930's, the Navy remained a strong supporter of
lighter-than-air until the last of its airship fleet was
phased out in 1962. Recently, the Navy renewed its
interest in modern airships for aerial surveillance, a
role the Goodyear blimps played with distinction during
both world wars.
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