Zeppelin

views updated Jun 11 2018

Zeppelin a large German dirigible airship of the early 20th century, long and cylindrical in shape and with a rigid framework, named for its inventor, the German aviation pioneer Ferdinand Zeppelin (1838–1917).

Zeppelins were used during the First World War for reconnaissance and bombing, and after the war as passenger transports until the 1930s; their popularity decreased sharply after the Hindenburg disaster of 1937, when the dirigible, which had completed its first transatlantic crossing, burst into flames while landing at Lakehurst, New Jersey, with considerable loss of life.

Zeppelin

views updated May 14 2018

Zeppelin ★★½ 1971 (G)

During WWI, the British enlist the aid of York as a double agent. His mission is to steal Germany's plans for a super-dirigible. Accompanying the Germans on the craft's maiden voyage, York discovers they are actually on a mission to steal British treasures. Although the script is poor, the battle scenes and the airship itself are very impressive. 102m/C VHS . GB Michael York, Elke Sommer, Peter Carsten, Marius Goring, Anton Diffring, Andrew Keir, Rupert Davies, Alexandra Stewart; D: Etienne Perier.

Zeppelin

views updated May 17 2018

Zeppelin rigid dirigible airship as built by the German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin. XIX.