How did the zeppelin blow up?

Answer 1

A Zeppelin, or rigid airship works by using a large volume of gas that is lighter than air to help lift it off the ground. Just like a helium party balloon, Zeppelins were filled with hydrogen or helium and this would compensate for almost all of their weight. Zeppelins could lift many tons at a time when airplanes could barely lift themselves. Zeppelins formed the first airline (DELAG) in Germany and transported thousands of people.

Zeppelins were different than blimps. They had rigid metal or wood frames inside that allowed large engines and passenger compartments to be outfitted. They didn't just have a tiny gondola underneath,m but had a great deal of living space inside the actual cigar shape.

Zeppelins worked very well, and were considered very reliable. The problem was that the best airships (Zeppelins) were made in pre-WW2 Germany. They were filled with hydrogen, which is very flammable. Germany wanted to use helium (non-flammable), but the USA has a virtual monopoly on Helium production at that time, and it was considered a precious commodity that might be misused by Hitler in the event of a war. The eruption of the Hindenburg in Lakehurst New Jersey spelled the end for Zeppelins. People thought they were dangerous. In reality, had helium been used instead of hydrogen, we might still be using them today.