Saturday, July 5, 2008

A Trade Restriction Led Zeppelin

to switch from helium to hydrogen, causing, indirectly, the Hindenburg disaster:
Today’s airships fly with helium, as did the Hindenburg until the United States imposed an embargo on what was then a fairly valuable commodity. Hence, the Hindenburg had to start using inflammable hydrogen on its flights.
From a fascinating NY Times article about a revival of interest in airships.

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