Google Co-Founder Develops Airships, Offering Rides in Germany
In the realm of extreme wealth, there are individuals who possess extravagant possessions like mega yachts, personal blood boys, and even entire islands. However, Google co-founder Sergey Brin stands out as the sole billionaire engaged in constructing a collection of airships. The latest installment of Hello World offers an exclusive glimpse into this remarkable endeavor.
In this episode
In recent years, Brin has been quietly financing the construction of a new, very large airship in Silicon Valley. We take you behind the scenes for an exclusive look at said airship and try to explain why Brin would want to spend $250 million to create such a machine today.
The arrival of the new airship provided the perfect excuse to explore the history of these magnificent creations and even fly one in Friedrichshafen, Germany, where airships still rule the skies.
Things you learn
Speaking of Friedrichshafen – as one does – the city has an incredible and strange history tied to airships.
Airship pioneer Ferdinand von Zeppelin performed some of his earliest experimental flights on the shores of Lake Constance, located on the edge of Friedrichshafen. When Count Zeppelin died in 1917, he laid the groundwork for the transfer of his intellectual property to a foundation. This foundation has since become quite lucrative, with IP fueling an aerospace and automotive empire. Much of the money is diverted back to Friedrichshafen, which donates much of it to its citizens.
As a result, Friedrichshafen is an idyllic place to visit with lakeside restaurants, walkable streets and beautiful scenery.
Far from Friedrichshafen, back in the US, airships also have a long and storied history. About 90 years ago, the US military financed the production of giant airships in Akron, Ohio. Some of these aircraft were flown to what is now NASA Ames in Silicon Valley, where they were housed in giant hangars.
Brin’s company LTA Research has now taken over one of NASA Ames’ hangars and a giant Airdock in Ohio. The LTA, for Lighter Than Air, effectively repeats history, just with a carbon fiber and titanium twist.
Things to do after watching the episode
There aren’t many places that offer airships to tourists, but if flying like a wizard is your dream, you can head to Friedrichshafen during certain seasons and float through the sky.
The trips cost $600 and last about an hour. It is expensive but a unique experience. Flying in a zeppelin is smooth, slow and quiet. I recommend it.
While in Friedrichshafen, you can really let the airship lifestyle take you over. There are airship sculptures. Airship themed bars. Airship movements. And of course the Zeppelin Museum, where you can walk through the recreations of the Hindenburg and learn everything you could ever hope to learn about a lighter-than-air craft.
