Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin

Zeppelin Aboard his LZ-3 in 1908

The Count is well known for his contributions to the field of aeronautics, and perhaps even more so for his creations: the Zeppelins. An officer in the Prussian Army, Zeppelin was serving as an overseas observer of the Union Army during the American Civil War when he first came across a hot-air balloon. While in Saint Paul, Minnesota, around 1863, Zeppelin rode in a retired observation balloon from the Union Army. Supposedly, this flight was the inspiration for his later interest in Aeronautics. Many years later, in 1874, Zeppelin put an entry into his journal detailing what would later become his masterpiece: a rigidly-framed, aerodynamically flown ship containing one or multiple gas cells inside. While he attempted to install lighter-than-air programs in the Prussian military while he was a general, he could not convince the other ranking members of their usefulness. Because of this, he wasn't able to truly work on his dream until he was forced to retire from the army in 1891. After many struggles, Zeppelin was finally able to begin building his airship design in 1898. It was to be called the Luftschiff Zeppelin 1, or Airship Zeppelin 1. Two years later, on July 2nd, 1890, the over 400 ft long LZ-1 made it's first successful flight, remaining in the air for 20 minutes. Zeppelin's dream was a reality. The innovator would leave behind a legacy that continues strong today, as rigid airships still bearing his basic designs fill the air, and the magic of these lighter-than-air machines fills beholders with wonder.