Goodyear Blimp

[3] The term blimp itself is defined as a non-rigid airship—without any internal structure, the pressure of lifting gas within the airship envelope maintains the vessel's shape.

From the launch of the Pilgrim in 1925 to the retiring of the Spirit of Innovation in 2017, Goodyear generally owned and operated non-rigid airships in its global public relations fleet.

Prior to the Zeppelin NT, the Goodyear blimps were non-rigid (meaning their shape is not maintained by a rigid internal structure) dirigibles (directable/steerable airships).

As the blimp ascends or descends, the internal ballonets expand or contract to compensate for density changes and to maintain uniform pressure in the envelope.

The GZ-1 was the USS Akron (ZRS-4), the U.S. Navy's fourth rigid airship used for several tests including as a flying "aircraft carrier".

During the period in which Goodyear supplied tires for IndyCar, it was a tradition that the pole position winner at the Indianapolis 500 would get a ride in the blimp in the days leading up to the race.

[31] During the period in which Goodyear was a corporate sponsor of the All American Soap Box Derby,[32] the winners of the World Championship races held each July in Akron, Ohio were awarded a ride in the blimp.

From neon tubes, to incandescent lamps to LEDs, these signs have helped the company advertise its products and also deliver public service messages from various organizations such as local governments.

[45] On a 2001 episode of That 70's Show, Leo recalls seeing what he thought was a UFO at a football game, which displayed a message that he interpreted as a prediction of a "good year.

In January 2019, the College Football Hall of Fame inducted the Goodyear Blimp as its first-ever nonhuman inductee.