Zeppelin, Ferdinand, Graf von, 1838-1917

Abstract

Adams was associated with many aeronautical figures of international distinction, mainly early women aviators. Her personal friendship with Dr. Hugo Eckener of Germany as well as passage on experimental and inaugural Zeppelin flights, such as the Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg, led to her becoming a proponent of lighter-than-air travel.

Abstract Clara Adam’s main claim to fame is that she holds many firsts for women in aviation, not as a pilot, but as a paying passenger. Her first flight came in March 1914 at Lake Eustis, Florida where she went up in a Thomas Flying Boat piloted by Walter E. Johnson. This flight sparked an interest in aviation that lasted the rest of her life. Clara was introduced to Lighter-Than-Air transportation through a letter of introduction by General Paul von Hindenburg to Dr. Hugo Eckener. She was given a...

Abstract

John Provan III's interest in aviation as a collector and historian started in the 1980s. His main topic was the relationship between the American and German people after World War II. He wrote numerous books on the Berlin Airlift, Rhein-Main Air Base, Airship hangars, Armed Forces Network (AFN), and Clara Adams. He also curated many exhibitions.

Abstract Charles Emery Rosendahl was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 15, 1892. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1914, he served on surface ships before requesting rigid airship duty. Rosendahl flew most of the major rigid airships of the United States including the USS Shenandoah (whose break-up in a storm he survived), the USS Los Angeles, and the USS Akron. He also traveled on the German rigid...

Abstract

Burrell Tibbs is well known for his contributions to the early aviation period in the United States. Having been an apprentice to Benoist and working with Lester Miller on building an airplane, Tibbs was also a barnstormer and a pilot instructor in Oklahoma before and during World War II. He worked at the Boeing plant in Wichita, Kansas and celebrated the 50th anniversary of powered flight by flying a World War I Jenny from Bloomington, Illinois to Grand Prairie, Texas in seven days.