The De-Nationalisation of Helium

Abstract

THE disaster to the British airship R101, still fresh in the public mind, torn between sad memory and impatience to learn the findings of experts now holding a court of inquiry, has had, as it was bound to do, world-wide repercussion. Everywhere dirigible construction, either in project or in progress, has received an abrupt check. Whatever may be the ultimate technical findings of this court, it is safe to assume consensus of opinion on at least one point: the danger of hydrogen, the urgency of helium. In Germany the Zeppelin Company was engaged in laying down a new airship to be known as LZ128, but the lesson was quickly learnt. Complete revision of plans of construction was undertaken, in which the salient factors were provision for the exclusive use of helium and heavy, virtually non-inflammable, oil-fuel, in place of hydrogen and the ‘Blau’ gas fuel hitherto employed in Zeppelins. Clearly, even at the expense of a year's delay, Dr. Eckener is in no mind to chance a re-enactment of the deplorable tragedy which we have just witnessed.