Name/Title
Men preparing for dirigible test flightEntry/Object ID
SHH 2001.356Description
Print developed from gelatin dry plate glass negative. Seven unidentified men gather on grassy field around a dirigible gondola. Gondola similar to airplane without wings. Pieces of rope and wire extend upward from right side of gondola. Dark colored bundle hangs below first cockpit on gondola. Ralph Upson, wearing dark leather jacket and goggles on forehead, sits in second cockpit of gondola. From left to right: visible portions of 2 men in dark clothing crouch beneath gondola, visible portions of 3 men in dark clothing stand behind gondola. 3 men stand in foreground in front of gondola; man on left wears light colored hat with dark band, dark colored business suit with light pinstriped shirt and dark colored tie; Herman Kraft , in middle, wears billed hat backwards with goggles on forehead, light colored sweater and dark colored pants, stands with arms crossed; man on right wears white Navy hat, dark colored jacket, light pants and stands with side to camera holding box in hands. Series of "Flight for Board" prints.Photograph Details
Subject Person or Organization
Upson, Ralph Hazlett, Kraft, HermanSubject Place
Location
Goodyear Airdock, USA: Ohio, Suffield, Wingfoot LakeCollection
PERMANENT COLLECTIONCataloged By
Steven KreitzAcquisition
Accession
SHH-OriginalSource or Donor
Seiberling HeirsAcquisition Method
GiftMade/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Seiberling, Willard PenfieldRole
PhotographerDate made
1917 - 1921Notes
Medium: glass, silver gelatinOther Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
Number Type
Negative NumberOther Number
N-1712Number Type
Other NumberOther Number
SHH 2001.356RDimensions
Height
4-1/4 inWidth
3-1/4 inGeneral Notes
Note
Willard Penfield Seiberling (1892-1981) was an avid and amateur photographer who developed his photographic interest while attending Princeton University. The Dark Room at Stan Hywet Hall was added to the floorplan during construction for his use. Willard is credited with most of the early images of Stan Hywet. Willard's interest in aeronautics is exemplified by meeting Orville and Wilbur Wright after their first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk. Willard may have been the first passenger aboard the first Goodyear blimp. He also participated in national and international free balloon races in 1921. Willard was manager of the Aeronautics Department of Goodyear from 1917 to 1921. Goodyear began its Aeronautics Department in 1910. In 1916, Goodyear purchased land in Suffield around Fritch's Lake. Wingfoot Lake hangar was constructed in 1917. WFL is the oldest airship base in the U.S. The facility was the training site of the first class of Navy airship pilots. From 1917 to 1921, WFL operated as a U.S. Naval Airship
Wingfoot Lake Airship Base was built in 1917. Willard Penfield Seiberling was manager of the Aeronautics Department of Goodyear from 1917 to 1921.Created By
admin@catalogit.appCreate Date
July 28, 2021Updated By
bwelch@stanhywet.orgUpdate Date
May 19, 2025