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A blimp is a small
airship. It has no metal frame-work and collapses when deflated.
The blimp tradition began
in 1925 when Goodyear built its first helium-filled public relations
airship. Over the years, the company has built more than 300 airships.
Today, Goodyear operates
three blimps in the U.S. -- the Eagle, based in Carson
City, CA; the Stars and Stripes, based in Pompano Beach, Fla., and
the Spirit of Akron, based in Akron, Ohio.
The blimp's gondola
seats eight passengers and two pilots. It travels at a maximum speed of
65 mph and it takes off nearly vertically. It has one retractable wheel
that helps steady itself during landing procedures. |
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