Many people may know about the blazing crash of the Hindenburg in 1937 but are possibly unaware that it had made 62 flights before its final journey (including one transporting author Leslie Charteris, creator of The Saint). The disaster, however, did not end the airship era; blimps escorted convoys during World War II and were a part of air defense systems in the 1950s and 1960s. Airships still fly today, and new models are in the construction phase.

This book examines this branch of aviation history, delving into the science and engineering of airships and their design flaws, weather difficulties and operational errors. The chapters focus on function (lift, propulsion, materials, ground handling and so forth). The book concludes with speculations about future airship designs and missions.