Hindenburg's Fiery Secret

A brief but glorious era of lighter than air travel abruptly ended on May 6, 1937 when the German airship Hindenburg burst into flames as it attempted to land at a Lakehurst, New Jersey base. Of the 97 passengers and crewmen aboard, 36 were killed. Although the dream of dirigible travel effectively died that day, a mystery was quickly born: Was the Hindenburg a victim of anti-Nazi sabotage? The Hindenburg's champion Hugo Eckener was no friend of the Reich, but Hitler realized the propaganda value and promoted the airship as a symbol of German might. (Old newsreels show the Hindenburg carrying the Nazi swastika above the Manhattan and Philadelphia skylines.) This National Geographic production uses archival footage in recounting the early history of airship predecessors of the Hindenburg, and the U.S. Navy's brief and disastrous experiences testing dirigibles, as well as the history and mystery of the Hindenburg itself. Surviving crew members talk about the ship's construction, daily flight routines, and the last, unforgettable moments as the Hindenburg plunged to earth. Viewers will be fascinated by details about onboard meal preparation, amenities which included a smoking room, post office, observation window providing spectacular views, and a lightweight aluminum piano that provided entertainment for passengers. The video concludes by showing the detective work of a former NASA scientist, who confirms that static electricity ignited a rapid chemical fire fueled by the flammable skin of the aircraft. An outstanding tribute to a grand, improbable dream, this is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)