Lighter-Than-Air-Society to launch display at Lock 3 Saturday
Join a special free guided tour Saturday, July 31, at 1 p.m. of the renovated Lighter-Than-Air display at the Akron History Exhibit at Lock 3. The nonprofit Lighter-Than-Air Society (LTAS) has added artifacts and photographs from the historic USS Akron and USS Macon rigid frame dirigibles, along with an interactive attraction.
So everyone can appreciate the legendary airships of Akron’s past, LTAS presents the chronological development of the unique helium filled aircraft.
A new ”Touch Me” exhibit has been added so all visitors can experience the extraordinary light weight of duraluminum, the critically inventive design element that gave the airframes their strength.
LTAS members will be on hand to explain the importance of local creativity to the U.S. history of lighter than air flight beginning with the first efforts of Goodyear in 1912 at its Wingfoot Lake hangar, where blimps still make their home.
Akron has been the international headquarters of inventions that improved the knowledge and capability of the unique cigar shaped ships that sail on oceans of air. Eventually high altitude balloons and blimps joined the fleet. Future craft from Lockheed-Martin of Akron will lift into the stratosphere for months of unmanned surveillance.
Rubber manufacturing was crucial to the fabric design for these giants of the skies, from the first Akron dirigible in 1912. The landmark Air Dock was constructed in 1929 to build the USS Akron in 1931 and the USS Macon in 1933 for the U.S. Navy.
Now on display is the red, white and blue bunting used to christen the USS Akron in the national ceremony in August 1931 that attracted celebrities like Amelia Earhart. Also prominently shown is the cord that First Lady Lou Hoover pulled to release a flight of doves at the end of the dedication. The U.S. flag from the stern of the USS Macon has been added to the wall near the large airship propeller.
Park for free in the State Street parking deck. Take the elevator to the Lock 3 level and follow the signs. All city-owned decks and meters are free on weekends and after 6 p.m. weekdays.
