What was the Hindenburg disaster?
The Hindenburg disaster was the fiery crash of a huge German airship at Lakehurst, New Jersey, on May 6, 1937. Thirty-six people died, and the event ended the era of passenger airships.
The Hindenburg was one of the largest flying machines ever built, about 245 meters long, more than three times the length of a Boeing 747. It was filled with flammable hydrogen gas, because the United States would not sell Germany helium, a safer gas. It carried passengers across the Atlantic in luxury, with a dining room and lounge.
As it tried to dock at Naval Air Station Lakehurst after a flight from Germany, fire broke out near its tail. Within about 30 seconds, flames consumed the airship. Of the 97 people on board, 35 died, along with one member of the ground crew. Remarkably, 62 people survived.
Oh, the humanity
The disaster was filmed and photographed, and radio reporter Herbert Morrison's emotional live description, including the words oh, the humanity, became famous. The exact cause of the fire is still debated, but most experts think a spark of static electricity ignited leaking hydrogen.
Did You Know?
After the Hindenburg disaster, public trust in airships collapsed, and airplanes soon took over long-distance passenger travel.