The Pilgrim was the first airship used for promotion in 1925. In the 50s, when I saw my first Goodyear Blimp, incandescent bulbs were used for nighttime text messages. They also started using them to film events. In the 60s, the signs expanded to four colours and movement.
Goodyear's fleet of blimps were soon used nationwide and internationally for filming and advertising. In the 90s, the signs went LED with lots of colours and bright enough to see in daylight. In the 2000s, computers have enabled high resolution.
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| The Goodyear Blimp over the LA Coliseum for USC vs. UCLA football. |
The LA area Goodyear Blimp base is in Carson. When I lived in Torrance and drove to my teaching assignment in Bellflower, I passed the blimp twice a day. On rare occasions, I got to see a takeoff or landing. This is the 90th anniversary the Goodyear airship program.
Have you seen a Goodyear Blimp? Where and what did you think? -- Margy
Wow! 90 years! That must make it a national treasure! It is a sight to see!
ReplyDeleteI grew up with the blimp in my neighbourhood, so it's a fond memory when I see it. - Margy
DeleteGreat shots.
ReplyDeleteIt can't be skywatch Friday! Where did the week go? Gosh. I've never seen one.
ReplyDeleteThe only one I've seen in Canada was at the Abbotsford Air Show. - Margy
DeleteYes, I love seeing the blimp. We are near St Louis and it's been here for sporting events, air shows, etc.
ReplyDeleteWhen I did research online I learned that our Goodyear blimp wasn't the only one. All those years I thought we were unique. - Margy
DeleteI love the blimps. In the late 70's and early 80's when I lived near Houston, Goodyear had a blimp base right on I45 and I got to see a couple takeoffs over the years.
ReplyDeleteJust like I did along the 405 in LA. - Margy
DeleteI saw the blimp about 10 years ago right here in Bellingham. I worked just behind the Costco store - heard a big roaring noise - rushed outside and there was the blimp right overhead and just above the rooftops. I was stunned - it is amazingly huge - especially that close up. I imagine it was going to go down to Seattle for a ballgame - as there was nothing spectacular going on in Bellingham at that time.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful captures of the blimp and sky. I have never seen one.
ReplyDeleteNever seen the Goodyear blimp but there used to be a realtor in Edmonton who used to have one that flew around occasionally. Very neat!
ReplyDeleteWe have seen them often ... In Eugene for game day, out on the desert in Califorbia and Arizona ... But I never tire of them... We always poi t them out to each other.
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