Germany wanted to use Helium, but they didn't have any; tried to buy some from the Allies, but they refused. So, they used Hydrogen, with the well-documented results.
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You have meddled with the primal forces of nature, and YOU ... WILL ... ATONE!
Interesting. U.S. law forbade the use of helium at the time, which changed after the incident.
http://www.history.com/news/the-hindenburg-disaster-9-surprising-facts
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For the world is hollow and I have touched the sky.
🐉
Actually, U.S. law forbade the EXPORT of helium at the time. They were afraid enemy countries might use it against them.
shareThey didn't want everyone talking funny in the event of a leak.
shareI knew that.
What kills me is that you MINE helium.
Agree. I think "extract" or "drill" would be better words than "mine".
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You have meddled with the primal forces of nature, and YOU ... WILL ... ATONE!
There's actually plentiful helium in the air. Since it doesn't react with anything and is too hard to chill to liquid form, it's almost impossible to extract from the atmosphere. The person who figures out how to do it practically will become a multi-billionaire overnight.
shareGermany wanted to use Helium, but they didn't have any; tried to buy some from the Allies, but they refused. So, they used Hydrogen, with the well-documented results.
Is this really "little known" at this point? That's sad.
Is this really "little known" at this point? That's sad.
I knew about it but was always told that it was "too expensive" so the Germans opted out.
shareActually there's considerable controversy over whether the hydrogen was the most important element. The fabric used in the airship's skin may have been much more important.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindenburg_disaster#Fire's_initial_fuel
The pilot was the only good episode.
shareSure...
There was a small room where smokers were allowed to puff and smoke and puff.
https://www.airships.net/hindenburg-smoking-room
In a balloon traveling across the world!
No wonder the Nazis lost the war.
Morons.