H is for hydrogen, helium and The Hindenburg Disaster #atozchallenge

On May 6, 1937, the German airship, the Hindenburg ignited while trying to dock in Lakehurst, New Jersey. It became totally engulfed in flames and was destroyed. It was the end of the rigid airship era. Thirty six people perished in the disaster.There are many theories about the initial cause of ignition. The hydrogen hypothesis was widely accepted. After the disaster,. airships were filled with helium instead of hydrogen. Like hydrogen, helium was lighter than air. However, unlike hydrogen helium is not flammable.