Name/Title
Men preparing for dirigible test flightEntry/Object ID
SHH 2001.358Description
Print developed from gelatin dry plate glass negative. Ten unidentified men in grassy field with gondola, 9 men on ground, Ralph Upson and Herman Kraft in gondola. Gondola similar to airplane without wings. Gondola has single propeller engine and three cockpits. Propeller of gondola is in motion. Pipe after third cockpit extends upward beyond visible portion of image. Various ropes extend upward from gondola beyond visible portion of image. Bundle of rope hangs below first cockpit. Ralph Upson, wearing dark leather jacket, sits in second cockpit with side of face towards camera. Kraft, wearing billed hat turned backwards, goggles over eyes, and dark colored jacket, sits in third cockpit looking down towards men on ground. Moving from left to right: Legs of 2 men wearing dark colored pants visible behind gondola. Man, wearing light colored sleeveless shirt and dark colored pants, stands with back to camera holding rope attached to front portion of gondola. Man, wearing dark colored hat, shirt, and pants stands with back to camera holding "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-1714Number Type
Other NumberOther Number
SHH 2001.358RDimensions
Height
3-1/4 inWidth
4-1/4 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 16, 2025