A View Through History
Early Airship History
1910 - 1919
Goodyear's journey into aviation began in 1910 with the creation of its Aeronautics Department, leading to the first balloon in 1912. By 1917, the Wingfoot Lake hangar was built to produce airships for the U.S. Navy and train pilots. In 1919, Goodyear introduced its first non-commissioned airships, including the Wingfoot Air Express and Pony Blimps, showcasing lighter-than-air travel at events nationwide.
Read MoreThe First Goodyear Blimp
1925 - 1934
In 1925, Goodyear introduced Pilgrim, the first helium-filled non-rigid airship, logging 95,000 miles and marking the start of the Goodyear Blimp program. The Puritan (1928) became the first permanently licensed airship, setting the standard for future models. By 1930, Defender was the first airship to feature a lighted sign, the Neon-O-Gram. In 1934, the Enterprise debuted a 123,000 ft³ envelope design, which became the standard for non-rigid airships for the next two decades.
Read MoreWorld War II
1940 - 1945
In 1940, Goodyear began a pilot training program at Wingfoot Lake to support the U.S. Navy's growing airship needs. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, production surged, with Goodyear delivering 154 blimps by 1944 — 104 built at Wingfoot Lake. In 1942, the Resolute was drafted into the Navy, crew included. By 1945, blimps had become essential for protecting ships, escorting 89,000 vessels without a single loss to enemy submarines.
Read MorePost-War Innovations
1946 - 1968
In 1946, Goodyear reintroduced a fleet of five blimps. By 1955, they pioneered live aerial broadcasts at the Rose Parade. In 1957, the Snow Bird set a 10-day, 9,448-mile flight record. The 1959 Mayflower featured a 132,500 ft³ envelope, expanding to 147,300 ft³ in 1963. The Skytacular sign debuted in 1966 with 1,540 lights and animations. In 1967, Columbia covered Super Bowl I, and by 1968, the fleet had a permanent base in Carson, California.
Read MoreThe GZ-20
1969 - 2004
In 1969, the America debuts the GZ-20 model and Super Skytacular sign. The 1970s bring new bases in Texas (1969), England (1972), and Florida (1979). The 1980s feature World Series (1980) and LA Olympics (1984) coverage, plus disaster relief during the 1989 San Francisco earthquake and 1992 Hurricane Andrew. The Spirit of Akron launches in 1987 with the GZ-22 model. By 1996, LED light signs debut, followed by the Eaglevision video sign in 2000. In 2004, Goodyear pioneers HD aerial broadcasts.
Read MoreThe NT Era
2011 - Present
In 2011, Goodyear introduced the NT (New Technology) model, designed with Zeppelin, marking a shift to semi-rigid airships. Wingfoot One, the first NT model, launched in 2014, followed by Wingfoot Two in 2016, which hosted a skydive for the first time in 50 years. By 2017, the last GZ-20 blimp was retired, and Wingfoot Three completed the NT fleet in 2018. In 2020, a Goodyear-branded Zeppelin NT returned to European skies. The 100th anniversary of the Goodyear Blimp program will be celebrated in 2025.
Read More#GoodyearBlimp
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