Latest news with #blimp
The Independent
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Beware the second Trump state visit – here's how it could all go horribly wrong
Now that we know Donald Trump will be making his state visit to the United Kingdom in September, the big question is – will the blimp fly again? You may recall the blimp – the giant Trump baby balloon that was raised in London in Trump's previous official visits, in 2018, and upgraded to full state visit status in 2019. The 20 foot high inflatable portrayed a infantile Trump in a nappy with a snarl on its face, like it'd just been told it had lost a free and fair presidential election. Seemingly inspired by Orville the Duck, the Trump blimp was intended – in the words at the time of its progenitor, Leo Murray – 'to make sure he knows that all of Britain is looking down on him and laughing at him". It is now (or should be) as honoured and traditional an element of a Trump visit as the lavish banquet and inspecting the guards in their busbies – but will Keir Starmer pressure Mr Mayor Sadiq Khan to take that blimp down in the name of Anglo-American relations? Khan has been singled out for criticism by Trump before and was proud of giving permission for the airborne satire to take flight over the capital on previous occasions. The now historic artefact is apparently in storage at the Museum of London, though it is occasionally given a test flight in ensure it's still airworthy, like the Spitfires and Lancaster bombers we like to see fly past on other great occasions. The sight of the blimp from the window of Air Force One, ironically, make the famously touchy president so upset that he might order the plane to turn around and head straight back to Florida. Which would be a shame, because it would deprive us of some great late-summer entertainment. How big, for example, will the protests be? The British managed 400,000 last time round, including some especially obscene placards up in Scotland, where the president will be taking in a little golf. The King has wisely opted to sequester the president, First Lady and, no doubt, the extended clan at Windsor Castle, which was designed by William the Conqueror (who understood such things), to keep its inhabitants safe from attack. There will be a no-fly (or a no-blimp) zone. If possible, his majesty should make arrangements for any television sets to be removed from the visitors' chambers and cancel the newspapers. The prime minister has also sensibly opted for the Trump visit to be held during the parliamentary recess, so that there'll be no unpleasant demonstrations by the likes of Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana at what would usually be a jolly joint address to MPs and peers, as was recently the case for Emmanuel Macron. No chants of 'from the river to the sea' will assail the presidential sensibilities. Nor will the House of Commons have to stage a formal debate on the wisdom of the visit because of a massive public petition, as happened before. Given previous incidents, I imagine that the president has no doubt already been told that he won't be able to have the carriage ride through London for 'security reasons' – anyway, it might rain and the presidential Cadillac, known as 'The Beast' is both air-conditioned and assassin-proof. Thus, will President Trump be deprived of the courtesy given to President Ceausescu in 1978 and Vladimir Putin in 2003. Under our impressive anti-terror laws, protests will be quelled, suppressed and kept as far away from Trump's attention as possible. Most of the jeopardy of mild to severe embarrassment, then, lies with the behaviour of the president himself. Starmer will be more nervous than a chicken hosting a convention of gourmand foxes at what The Donald might say or do during the few days when he will be the centre of attention. Hopefully, Trump will leave JD Vance at home, but he's perfectly capable of repeating his own views about irregular migration into Britain (naturally making an egotistical contrast with his own successes on his southern border), calling it an invasion or something. He could repeat his opinions about crime in London. He might make a big public fuss of Nigel Farage – 'great guy, make a fine leader' – and tell Rachel Reeves she's making a complete and total mess of the economy (albeit that wouldn't be so controversial). In fact, based on what I've seen and read over the years, there are many things Trump might say. He might praise the likes of Tommy Robinson – most recently in court charged with harassing two Daily Mail journalists; and Lucy Connolly, the Tory councillor's wife jailed for inciting racial hatred online following the Southport attacks – as political prisoners. Or, he might deride the King's devotion to environmentalism. No one can predict what he might do – or stop him. We know that, by now. Volatile as he can be, the best that Starmer can hope for from Trump is some warm words on a future US-UK free trade agreement (despite the claims, there isn't one now), support for Ukraine and the Nato alliance. More likely, as Theresa May discovered on previous occasions, the Trumps will leave no more of a legacy than another outing for that big tangerine baby.
Forbes
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
100 Years Of The Goodyear Blimp – How A Unique Branding Tool Has Stood The Test Of Time
At the Le Mans 24 hour race, the Goodyear blimp was a familiar feature in the sky This year marks 100 years since the first Goodyear blimp took to the skies. The brand is, of course, most well known for its tire ranges but its branded blimp has become a staple at motorsport events over the past century. Underlining its importance for the brand, it was a near permanent fixture above the 24 Hours of Le Mans last weekend. After featuring at Le Mans for the first time in 1973, Goodyear brought its only Europe-based blimp to the iconic endurance event. Luca Andreoni, Senior Manager Marketing Communications Strategy at Goodyear said: 'The Goodyear blimp is a historical icon and it's a great branding tool both internally and for motorsports enthusiasts because it goes beyond what we normally do.' The blimp is as long as two and a half blue whales While Andreoni admits you could ask what the connection between the tire brand and the blimp is, he explains it's part of the company's historical DNA and global presence. He added: 'The blimp is an icon of innovation as well, even if it's obsolete in a way, it projects what we have been and what we want to be.' This historical reflection on the significance of the technology at the time is not to be underestimated. Although the interior and area where the pilot and copilot sit looks super high tech, it's easy to imagine how mind blowing this form of flying would have been 100 years ago. Huge technological breakthroughs are often overlooked as soon as they are surpassed by the next generation of innovations but it's great to see the blimp being preserved in this way. What Is It Like Inside The Goodyear Blimp? Up front with the pilot and copilot In comparison to the blimp's huge 75m long upper structure, the passenger compartment is much smaller with room for just 14 passengers and two pilots. One of the strangest parts is that the blimp has opening windows. There's no chance you could fall out of them but it still feels surreal to stand right next to an open window when you're 1000ft in the air. Despite its size, the blimp is impressively agile. It climbs to cruising height quickly and makes tighter turns than you'd expect. Although there's nothing else in the sky like it, bizarrely, the blimp feels most closely related to a helicopter. How Does The Goodyear Blimp Fly? Although the blimp is huge, it doesn't need many crew to operate The blimp's upper section is filled with helium to help it float. In the past airships like Zeppelins and blimps used hydrogen but for obvious fiery reasons, helium is now the preferred option. Helium alone is not enough to move the airship though, Goodyear's blimps are equipped with three four-cylinder 200 hp engines, one on either side and one at the rear. These power propellers which are used to direct the blimp and help it to gain altitude. Typically, a blimp will fly at around 1000ft, no higher than the top of the Eiffel Tower but it can reach up to 10,000ft. Since the cabin is not pressurised, this is the maximum altitude it would be able to reach. When it comes to max speed, it's not particularly quick at 78mph but it makes for a nice cruising pace with plenty of time to look down on iconic tracks like Le Mans. Looking down at the track from the blimp Thanks to its design, the blimp can fly for a maximum of 22 hours, so no wonder it's ideally suited to endurance race appearances. Although the airship is as long as two and a half blue whales, just three ground crew can help the pilot to land and secure the blimp. How Many Goodyear Blimps Exist? Goodyear commissioned four blimp replicas as part of its global branding campaigns. Three are permanently based in America while the other is operated by Zeppelin in Europe. The blimp has become an iconic symbol for Goodyear Years on from the blimp's first Le Mans appearance, both motorsports and strong branding remain important messages for Goodyear. Andreoni said: 'Motorsports has been part of our DNA since the very beginning but it's more than that, it's about how we make the connection between the business and motorsports. There's a lot of effort put into that. Just for Le Mans, we have 8,000 tires and 41 out of 60 cars competing with our tires. 'Endurance racing is the perfect platform to demonstrate the fact that you can be consistent throughout the entire life cycle of the product. In real life, as a driver, you need a tire that is safe and performs from the very first mile until the end. We are trying to shape the products of the future by always pushing the boundaries. Racing serves that purpose and helps us to be at the forefront of innovation.'
Fast Company
03-06-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
6 facts to know about the iconic Goodyear Blimp which turns 100 this week
The iconic Goodyear airships are taking a victory lap over the skies of an Ohio city this week. The Akron-based tire company is celebrating the 100th anniversary of 'Pilgrim,' its first blimp to take flight just outside of the city on June 3, 1925. Goodyear began experimenting with vessels that would be lighter than aircraft in the early 1900s, and the dirigibles have since become a lasting and iconic symbol of the corporate brand. For some, it evokes nostalgia, while for others it offers a glimpse into a larger-than-life part of advertisement history. Here is a by-the-numbers look at Goodyear airships over time: 1910 Goodyear establishes an Aeronautics Department to build lighter-than-air aircrafts, and by 1912 the company had built its first balloon. In 1930, the 'Defender' blimp became the first airship in the world to carry a lit neon sign so the company's name could be seen after dark. Goodyear began making airships for the U.S. Navy in 1917, and its first blimp — the first commercial non-rigid airship flown using helium — launched years later, becoming a marketing tool. From 1942 to 1944, the company built more than 150 airships for the Navy to serve in World War II, flying patrol over warships on the seas with zero reported loss of ships when a blimp was on watch. New Year's Day 1955 The Goodyear Blimp has been a regular at major sporting events since flying above the 1955 Rose Bowl. A few years later, it became a service vehicle for television coverage while simultaneously functioning as a highly visible advertising platform. Since that time, blimps have undergone wholesale changes and improved dramatically: steering technology; safety innovations; high-definition cameras; aerial views captured with specialized systems that compensate for movement during filming, resulting in stable and smooth footage footage; and much quieter rides thanks to relocated engines and propellers. 4 blimps There currently are four Goodyear Blimps — the three in the U.S. and one in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Today's Goodyear Blimps are semi-rigid dirigibles, meaning they have an internal frame as compared to previous eras of blimps that could be fully deflated. In 2014, Goodyear transitioned to the New Technology semi-rigid airship platform designed to allow for improved maneuverability and speed. 246 feet The Goodyear Blimp is 246 feet long (75 meters), which would cover about 80% of a football field. It is 58 feet (18 meters) high and holds three Olympic-sized swimming pools' worth of helium. Goodyear gets helium for its blimps from multiple sources. Because helium is a finite resource, the company purifies its helium every six to eight weeks to extend its life. The blimp travels more than 100 days per year, with trips ranging anywhere from three days to three weeks. A crew of nearly 20 people travel with the airship whenever it is touring. Today's Goodyear Blimps fly between 1,000 and 1,500 feet (305 meters and 457 meters) in the air and travel at speeds up to 73 miles per hour (117 kilometers per hour). 10 blimp pilots There currently are fewer blimp pilots in the world than astronauts, according to Goodyear, which has 10 full-time pilots. To serve in that job, you must have a commercial pilot license followed by approximately 250 hours of training to earn an additional lighter-than-air airship rating from the Federal Aviation Administration. 2,500 and 500,000 The blimp has covered more than 2,500 events and taken more than 500,000 passengers for rides, according to Goodyear. Former President Ronald Reagan might be the most famous passenger, but it was rapper Ice Cube who raised the blimp's street cred when he included a line about it in his 1992 song titled 'It Was A Good Day.'
Washington Post
03-06-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
The iconic Goodyear Blimp is 100. To celebrate, a flight over Ohio
The iconic Goodyear airships are taking a victory lap over the skies of an Ohio city this week. The Akron-based tire company is celebrating the 100th anniversary of 'Pilgrim,' its first blimp to take flight just outside of the city on June 3, 1925. Goodyear began experimenting with vessels that would be lighter than aircraft in the early 1900s, and the dirigibles have since become a lasting and iconic symbol of the corporate brand. For some, it evokes nostalgia, while for others it offers a glimpse into a larger-than-life part of advertisement history. Here is a by-the-numbers look at Goodyear airships over time: Goodyear establishes an Aeronautics Department to build lighter-than-air aircrafts, and by 1912 the company had built its first balloon. In 1930, the 'Defender' blimp became the first airship in the world to carry a lit neon sign so the company's name could be seen after dark. Goodyear began making airships for the U.S. Navy in 1917, and its first blimp — the first commercial non-rigid airship flown using helium — launched years later, becoming a marketing tool. From 1942 to 1944, the company built more than 150 airships for the Navy to serve in World War II, flying patrol over warships on the seas with zero reported loss of ships when a blimp was on watch. The Goodyear Blimp has been a regular at major sporting events since flying above the 1955 Rose Bowl. A few years later, it became a service vehicle for television coverage while simultaneously functioning as a highly visible advertising platform. Since that time, blimps have undergone wholesale changes and improved dramatically: steering technology; safety innovations; high-definition cameras; aerial views captured with specialized systems that compensate for movement during filming, resulting in stable and smooth footage footage; and much quieter rides thanks to relocated engines and propellers. There currently are four Goodyear Blimps — the three in the U.S. and one in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Today's Goodyear Blimps are semi-rigid dirigibles, meaning they have an internal frame as compared to previous eras of blimps that could be fully deflated. In 2014, Goodyear transitioned to the New Technology semi-rigid airship platform designed to allow for improved maneuverability and speed. The Goodyear Blimp is 246 feet long (75 meters), which would cover about 80% of a football field. It is 58 feet (18 meters) high and holds three Olympic-sized swimming pools' worth of helium. Goodyear gets helium for its blimps from multiple sources. Because helium is a finite resource, the company purifies its helium every six to eight weeks to extend its life. The blimp travels more than 100 days per year, with trips ranging anywhere from three days to three weeks. A crew of nearly 20 people travel with the airship whenever it is touring. Today's Goodyear Blimps fly between 1,000 and 1,500 feet (305 meters and 457 meters) in the air and travel at speeds up to 73 miles per hour (117 kilometers per hour). There currently are fewer blimp pilots in the world than astronauts, according to Goodyear, which has 10 full-time pilots. To serve in that job, you must have a commercial pilot license followed by approximately 250 hours of training to earn an additional lighter-than-air airship rating from the Federal Aviation Administration. The blimp has covered more than 2,500 events and taken more than 500,000 passengers for rides, according to Goodyear. Former President Ronald Reagan might be the most famous passenger, but it was rapper Ice Cube who raised the blimp's street cred when he included a line about it in his 1992 song titled 'It Was A Good Day.'
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The iconic Goodyear Blimp is 100. To celebrate, a flight over Ohio
The iconic Goodyear airships are taking a victory lap over the skies of an Ohio city this week. The Akron-based tire company is celebrating the 100th anniversary of 'Pilgrim,' its first blimp to take flight just outside of the city on June 3, 1925. Goodyear began experimenting with vessels that would be lighter than aircraft in the early 1900s, and the dirigibles have since become a lasting and iconic symbol of the corporate brand. For some, it evokes nostalgia, while for others it offers a glimpse into a larger-than-life part of advertisement history. Here is a by-the-numbers look at Goodyear airships over time: 1910 Goodyear establishes an Aeronautics Department to build lighter-than-air aircrafts, and by 1912 the company had built its first balloon. In 1930, the 'Defender' blimp became the first airship in the world to carry a lit neon sign so the company's name could be seen after dark. Goodyear began making airships for the U.S. Navy in 1917, and its first blimp — the first commercial non-rigid airship flown using helium — launched years later, becoming a marketing tool. From 1942 to 1944, the company built more than 150 airships for the Navy to serve in World War II, flying patrol over warships on the seas with zero reported loss of ships when a blimp was on watch. New Year's Day 1955 The Goodyear Blimp has been a regular at major sporting events since flying above the 1955 Rose Bowl. A few years later, it became a service vehicle for television coverage while simultaneously functioning as a highly visible advertising platform. Since that time, blimps have undergone wholesale changes and improved dramatically: steering technology; safety innovations; high-definition cameras; aerial views captured with specialized systems that compensate for movement during filming, resulting in stable and smooth footage footage; and much quieter rides thanks to relocated engines and propellers. 4 blimps There currently are four Goodyear Blimps — the three in the U.S. and one in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Today's Goodyear Blimps are semi-rigid dirigibles, meaning they have an internal frame as compared to previous eras of blimps that could be fully deflated. In 2014, Goodyear transitioned to the New Technology semi-rigid airship platform designed to allow for improved maneuverability and speed. 246 feet The Goodyear Blimp is 246 feet long (75 meters), which would cover about 80% of a football field. It is 58 feet (18 meters) high and holds three Olympic-sized swimming pools' worth of helium. Goodyear gets helium for its blimps from multiple sources. Because helium is a finite resource, the company purifies its helium every six to eight weeks to extend its life. The blimp travels more than 100 days per year, with trips ranging anywhere from three days to three weeks. A crew of nearly 20 people travel with the airship whenever it is touring. Today's Goodyear Blimps fly between 1,000 and 1,500 feet (305 meters and 457 meters) in the air and travel at speeds up to 73 miles per hour (117 kilometers per hour). 10 blimp pilots There currently are fewer blimp pilots in the world than astronauts, according to Goodyear, which has 10 full-time pilots. To serve in that job, you must have a commercial pilot license followed by approximately 250 hours of training to earn an additional lighter-than-air airship rating from the Federal Aviation Administration. 2,500 and 500,000 The blimp has covered more than 2,500 events and taken more than 500,000 passengers for rides, according to Goodyear. Former President Ronald Reagan might be the most famous passenger, but it was rapper Ice Cube who raised the blimp's street cred when he included a line about it in his 1992 song titled 'It Was A Good Day.' Bruce Shipkowski, The Associated Press
