What gas was used in the Hindenburg airship?

Hydrogen.

The Hindenburg airship, one of the largest airships ever built, famously used hydrogen as its lifting gas. The choice of hydrogen over helium, which is non-flammable and safer, was primarily due to economic and geopolitical constraints rather than technological. During the 1930s, when the Hindenburg was constructed, helium was not only rare but also expensive, and the United States, which had the largest reserves of helium, was reluctant to export it due to strategic reasons.

Hydrogen, despite its highly flammable nature, was readily available and much less expensive than helium. It also provided more lift per unit volume, which was a crucial factor in the design and operational capabilities of airships at the time. Hydrogen allowed the Hindenburg to achieve greater lift and thus carry more passengers, mail, and cargo across the Atlantic.

The LZ 129 Hindenburg was a German passenger airship that began service in 1936 and was part of a fleet that was used primarily for transatlantic travel. The airship was approximately 245 meters (804 feet) long and 41 meters (135 feet) in diameter, and it could carry 50 crew members and 50-72 passengers in luxurious accommodations that rivaled those of contemporary ocean liners.

Tragically, the Hindenburg disaster in May 1937 highlighted the inherent risks of using hydrogen as a lifting gas. While attempting to land in Lakehurst, New Jersey, the Hindenburg caught fire and was quickly engulfed in flames, leading to the death of 36 people. The exact cause of the fire has been the subject of much speculation and research, with theories including static electricity, a hydrogen leak, and even sabotage. However, the highly flammable nature of hydrogen undoubtedly contributed to the rapidity and ferocity with which the fire spread.

The disaster had a profound impact on public perception of airship safety and marked the end of the use of airships for commercial passenger service. In the aftermath, there was increased advocacy for the use of helium in airships. However, the economic and practical considerations that had previously hampered the widespread adoption of helium as a lifting gas remained significant barriers. The Hindenburg disaster remains a stark reminder of the risks associated with hydrogen and has influenced safety protocols in various industries handling flammable gases.