• qevlarr@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    18
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    5 months ago

    That particular one exploded because the US had an embargo against Nazi Germany for the much safer helium rather than famously combustible hydrogen

    • cynar@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      25
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      5 months ago

      It also had an aluminium skin, protected by an iron oxide paint. Those 2 are also the main ingredients in thermite. The skin burnt even faster and more impressively than the hydrogen.

      • nxdefiant
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        11
        ·
        5 months ago

        I wonder when hydrogen filled thermite balloon is going to make a comeback as a mode of transportation.

    • meowMix2525@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      5 months ago

      Do we even have enough helium to be using it in zeppelins though? I thought it was in shortage which is bad because it’s needed for medical and scientific purposes. Like we shouldn’t even be using it in balloons bad.