The flaming explosion of the Hindenburg over Lakehurst, New Jersey in 1937 is one of the most famous disasters of the 20th century. It took more than 100 years to develop what was, in its day, the fastest, most technologically advanced and most luxurious form of transportation in the world. It took only 34 seconds to destroy it. The accident that put an end to the golden age of airships is widely believed to have been caused by the ignition of nitrogen gas used for lift. But Addison Bain, a retired NASA scientist, is not satisfied with that explanation. A hydrogen specialist who believes that it is the clean and safe fuel of the future, he sets out on a personal quest of theorizing and experimentation to prove that the Hindenburg’s real flaw was only skin deep.
S1 Ep4
What Happened to the Hindenburg?
Why did the great airship Hindenburg explode? The accident that put an end to the golden age of airships is widely believed to have been caused by the ignition of nitrogen gas used for lift, but scientists set out to prove the Hindenburg's real flaw was only skin deep.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Directed by
DAN CLIFTON
Producer
RUSSELL ENGLAND
Narrator
ROY SCHEIDER
Executive Producer for Twenty Twenty Television
CLAUDIA MILNE
Commissioning Editor for Channel 4 (U.K.)
DAN CHAMBERS
Executive in Charge
WILLIAM R. GRANT
Executive Producer
BETH HOPPE
A Twenty Twenty Television production for Thirteen/WNET New York,
in association with Channel 4 (U.K.).
© 2000 Educational Broadcasting Corporation. All Rights Reserved.