Is hydrogen used in airships

Answer 1

Yes. Hydrogen was the material originally used to produce lift in airships.

Hydrogen (H2, also called dihydrogen) is cheap and easy to produce, as it can be created through the electrolysis of water. Hydrogen is also the lightest element in existence, and since airships attained lift using lighter-than-air materials, this was a valued trait. However, hydrogen is highly flammable in the presence of oxygen; even explosive! So a lot of effort went in to preventing ignition of the hydrogen. Passengers were searched before boarding an airship to ensure sure they had no matches or lighters in their possession. Smoking was prohibited while aboard the ship, except in one specially designed compartment, which contained one lighter.

Hydrogen was the main source of lift for the majority of airships in Europe from the late nineteenth century to the mid twentieth century. However, in the United States of America, a natural source of the lighter-than-air gas helium was discovered. Though heavier than hydrogen, helium was favored for safety purposes, as unlike hydrogen, helium is nonflammable. However, helium was far rarer and more valuable than hydrogen, as it could not be as easily produced.

As the United States of America had a monopoly on helium at the time, it had to be imported by the European countries which used airships. Most notably by Germany, with its famous Zeppelins. But shortly after Hitler became the Fuhrer of Germany, America began to enforce a trade embargo of helium exports against Germany. Because of this, Germany could no longer use helium in their airships, and were forced to resort back to hydrogen.

During this time, the Hindenburg, the largest airship ever constructed, was the pride of Germany. The Hindenburg was constructed to be flown using helium, believing the ban on helium exports would be lifted; but it was not. As such, the Hindenburg was forced to fly using hydrogen. As it was landing in New Jersey, the hydrogen ignited, and the ship crashed. It became one of the most famous airship disasters in history.

The use of airships did not directly stop after the Hindenburg, however. But the majority of newly constructed airships were helium lifted. The majority of these helium airships were constructed in the United States of America, and were known as blimps. Blimps are still used to this day; however, they are smaller than their Zeppelin counterparts, and seldom used as a means of transportation.

To conclude the answer to your question; hydrogen was used in airships, but due to the dangers, it is almost never used now.