75 years ago; the explosion at Lakehurst marked a dramatic end to the Golden Days of Lighter-than-Air. The crash of LZ-129 “Hindenburg†was the first disaster to be documented in pictures (one photographer even had Kodak color slide film; which had been developed one year prior); filmed by several national camera teams and recorded on records with the famous words of reporter Herb Morrison. For it’s short existence; the LZ-129 “Hindenburg†was the largest; most luxurious flying object; that mankind ever built. The cheer size; of an airship that was three football fields long and over 16 stories tall; dwarfs our imagination of anything we have ever seen fly. Even the new Airbus A-380 or the advertising blimps of today; such as the Zeppelin NT; the largest airship operating today can not compare. The 25 such airships would fit inside the “Hindenburgâ€. The passengers were offered a spacious social rooms; a music room with piano; a writing room; sleeping quarters with running hot and cold running water; a shower; a bar in which one could even smoke (despite the flammable hydrogen gas); and even real china and silverware; with fresh cooked meals provided three times a day. No aircraft today; can offer compare. This book covers in detail; the construction; early test flights and later regular passenger flights up until that fateful day. The appendix includes not only a short list of all these flights; but also includes the most complete passenger list ever compiled. Yet; faith in superior technology was short lived. Just like the passenger ship; “Titanticâ€; a quarter century prior; the “Hindenburg†marked yet another disaster that would shake that faith and remain embedded in our memories.
#931738 in Books 2016-02-16Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .50 x 5.90l; .0 #File Name: 1476662150220 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Bruce ParadisoExcellent book for enthusiasts.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Forgotten social history told in an engaging way. Hatpins held hats on but could also be used as weapons.By lyndonbrechtI ran across this book by accident; and found the title irresistible. I recall long ago looking at a grandmother's box of old stuff; things like spoon rings--and hatpins. Being a birder I know about those big hats and how the demand for feathers nearly wiped out species like the reddish egret. Hatpins are just that; large pins used to secure hats on heads; through the underlying hair; long hair piled up on the head. Turns out that hatpins could be very large; a foot or more long. The sharp end sticking out from a hat could be a hazard in public transportation or other areas where people were packed in close. The pins could also be fashion accessories; jeweled at the top end. And they could be weapons for women to use against "mashers" or sometimes fight off muggers. They could also be used as offensive weapons in attacks on police; or anyone else--the bok has a chapter on that; often drunken women stabbing officers--but they could actually kill.The book is well written and seems to be well-researched; at least using popular media sources. It's not an academic style study; but is informative and intriguing. The chapters are Big Hats (really big!); Hatpin Fashion; two chapters look at the hatpin as a weapon; offensive and defensive; and one looks at group use of the hatpin--as in striking women carrying them and rioting against "scabs." Chapter 6 looks at accidents (remember those sharp ends sticking out?). Chapter 7 looks at hatpins abroad (not a very good chapter) and the last chapter discusses hatpin hysteria on the part of male legislators trying to pass laws regulating in one way or another--sometimes passed but difficult to enforce. I get the impression that hatpins were one of those standard jokes by which men belittle women. There are traces of a sly feminism in the book.
