The Goodyear Aeronautical Department Collection, 1910 - 1948

Collection

Identifier: SCW-SC-004

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains numerous photographs and newspaper articles of airships, balloons, boats, and other products that were created by Goodyear. There are also operating manuals and blueprints for specific airships and balloons. Many of the newspaper articles feature stories about airships and boats that were used in battle and rescue situations. Many articles on the balloons feature stories of their participation in races both national and international. Photographs depict the numerous different types of airships, balloons, and boats that were created by Goodyear. One photograph features V.N. Braden and his Goodyear colleagues. The collection also contains advertisements for different types of boats that were designed by Goodyear and Firestone.

Dates

Majority of material found within 1910 - 1948

Biographical / Historical

Vally Nicholas Braden, who donated this collection, was born in Ohio in 1891. He graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He then became the manager of the Factory Aeronautical Department of Goodyear. He worked at Goodyear for many years and eventually moved to different states like Connecticut and New Jersey with his wife Mary. He died in Essex, New Jersey in 1980. V.N. Braden along with other Goodyear employees was responsible for the creation of numerous airships, balloons, boats, and other products.

Extent

3.0 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection was originally arranged in no specific order. The collection is now divided into four series: Airships, Balloons, Boats, and Products. Series I contains correspondences, newspaper articles and photographs of Army and Navy, Goodyear, and international airships. Series II contains correspondences, newspaper articles, photographs, and operating manuals of balloons from national and international races. Series III contains advertisements, correspondences, manuals, newspaper articles, and photographs of boats and naval ships. Series IV contains correspondences, newspaper articles, and photographs of various products created by Goodyear that were used by the Army and Navy.

Custodial History

The airship industry was developed in the United States around 1911. Companies like Goodyear and Firestone who were known for their rubber began making airships in Akron, Ohio. Airships were designed for the Army and Navy that were used during World War I and II and were divided into three classes: rigid, semi-rigid, and non-rigid. Goodyear began building airship air docks across the United States. Goodyear’s most famous airship “Zeppelin” was named after the German Manufacturing Company. Not only was Goodyear responsible for the creation of the airships in the United States, they also created balloons and naval boats. Goodyear participated in numerous balloon races in the United States and other countries throughout the early 1920s through 1940s. The use of airships began to decline in the 1940s due to better technology with aeroplanes and the crashes of the Hindenburg and the USS Akron.

The collection was donated by Nicholas Valley Braden who was an engineer at Goodyear and Firesonte for many years, and created and collected these documents and photographs. This collection was donated by Nicholas Valley Braden in June of 1980.